VA Health Connect is a tool Veterans can use to take control of all of their health care needs.
We aren’t all medical professionals, so when we get a fever late at night or can’t shake a painful stomachache, we want real medical advice. We may wonder, “Can I treat my symptoms at home? Should I head to the emergency room? Do I need an appointment with a provider?”
If you’re a Veteran enrolled in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care, you don’t have to wonder. You can access medical advice, set up appointments, and address your health-related concerns 24/7 wherever you are through VA Health Connect.
Learn more about VA Health Connect, how to use it, and what types of health-related concerns it can help you address.
What Is VA Health Connect?
Maybe you have a question about your blood pressure medication and need to talk to a pharmacist, or you’re considering a trip to the emergency room, but you’re unsure if it’s necessary. Maybe you’ve had a lingering cough, but your work schedule makes it difficult to make an in-person appointment. For concerns like these, VA Health Connect can help.
VA Health Connect is a simple way to connect virtually with medical professionals, pharmacy support, and administrative services around the clock from wherever you are. With VA Health Connect you can:
- Speak with a registered nurse and get medical advice. VA Health Connect nurses will evaluate your symptoms and help you decide what to do next, including a virtual visit with a provider or a referral to emergency care.
- Get same-day appointments with a medical provider through a virtual clinic visit.
- Meet with a tele-emergency care provider if needed. Their evaluation and advice may underscore the importance of immediate medical attention or may enable you to skip a trip to the emergency room or urgent care center.
- Manage and refill your prescriptions through pharmacy support.
- Get around-the-clock scheduling with administrative staff.
You can do all of this without leaving home. This can be especially important for Veterans who may be experiencing health issues that make it difficult to visit a VA facility, live in a rural or remote area, or those who are worried about being exposed to germs that may be present in busy waiting rooms.
VA Health Connect doesn’t replace the need for emergency care. If you’re experiencing a critical situation that requires immediate action, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
How Does VA Health Connect Work?
A Veteran, or anyone calling on behalf of a Veteran enrolled in VA health care, can call the local VA medical center and select the service needed. Speak to pharmacy support, a nurse, or someone who can help with scheduling.
If you select to speak to a nurse, your nurse will evaluate your symptoms and help you determine what kind of treatment you need. Your nurse will make recommendations for a course of action, which may include arranging a virtual clinic visit to meet with a medical provider or connecting you with an emergency medical provider to address more pressing issues.
How Has VA Health Connect Helped with Veteran Care?
As of January 2025, VA Health Connect has handled more than 120 million calls from Veterans, their families, and their caregivers.
VA Health Connect providers share how important the one-on-one conversations can be for catching symptoms early on and getting Veterans to the right care quickly.
In this VA news story, a VA Health Connect nurse talked to a truck driver calling from out on the road. The Veteran was experiencing symptoms of deep vein thrombosis, and the nurse was able to assist him with the best course of action – go to the emergency room right away. The Veteran had four blood clots in his leg that could have led to a stroke or heart attack without immediate treatment.
In another VA news story, a pregnant Veteran busy with her own business called VA Health Connect and was evaluated by an emergency physician by video within an hour. She was able to manage her symptoms at home and avoid a trip to the emergency room. According to one of the involved providers, over half of the cases referred to tele-emergency care are resolved without an emergency room visit.
Additional Resources
If you think you’re experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room. VA Health Connect does not replace emergency room care. If you or a Veteran you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the Veterans Crisis Line for 24/7 confidential support from qualified, caring responders. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to contact the crisis line. Dial 988 and press 1 or use the chat or text options.
You can also check out these additional ways to connect to VA care virtually, including options like text, chat, and more.
VA Health Connect is one more tool Veterans can use to take control of all of their health care needs.