If you’re a Veteran enrolled in VA health care, you now have access to VA tele-emergency care — should you need it — through VA Health Connect.
24/7 Virtual Care
VA Health Connect offers 24/7 virtual care. All it takes is a phone, computer or tablet.
When you call your local VA medical center, you can choose to speak with a VA Health Connect nurse who will connect you to the right level of care. That includes speaking directly to a VA emergency care provider if appropriate.
VA Health Connect is also available through VA Health Chat.
The right care at the right time in the right way
“VA is committed to providing the right care at the right time in the right way,” said Dr. Neil Patel, acting executive director of VA’s National Emergency Medicine Office. “Tele-emergency care is perfect for Veterans who need medical advice right away but don’t have a condition that needs to be treated in person.”
Depending on the need, a VA Health Connect provider can evaluate you over the phone or video and recommend treatment or advise where and when you should go if you need in-person care.
In life-threatening emergencies, the VA nurse will call 911 and stay on the line with you until help arrives.
VA Health Connect connects you to VA in many different ways
In addition to tele-emergency care, VA Health Connect allows you to speak with a nurse, schedule, reschedule or cancel appointments, check on the status of your medications with the help of pharmacy professionals and meet virtually with a medical provider about your health care needs.
And you can do all that without long waits, long drives or being exposed to illnesses. It’s especially convenient for rural Veterans or Veterans who can’t get to a VA medical center in person.
When not to wait
If you’re having a medical emergency, you should immediately seek care at the nearest medical facility. A medical emergency is an injury, illness or symptom so severe that you believe your life or health will be in danger without immediate treatment. Examples include severe chest pain, shortness of breath, stroke-like symptoms or excessive bleeding.
If you believe your life or health are in danger – or if you’re experiencing a suicidal crisis – call 911 or report to the nearest emergency room right away.
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I’m not sure how to do all this. I am 83 years old. But I am trying.
Please ask Dr. Patel or Mr. Geiger if this “new” way of getting in touch with someone at the VA was ever “TESTED” before it was sent out on the above email stating all the good and beneficial things that the VA is doing for the Veterans (that need this type of help”). If it was not tested, I’ve read the following reviews from other veterans, and the majority state that it is a flawed and inefficient system. I also appreciate that the VA is attempting really hard to be proactive, but when it just builds a program and does not test it, it just adds to the problems that the Veterans have at getting help from the VA. I guess, I’ll just have to keep going to an outside medical services clinic for any problem that comes up. Too bad!
I banged around in the Network and eventually came out with a My Healthy Vet sign in. I was persistent, for sure, but now I have a quick link to get in “right now.” I’m convinced that VA is on my side and I can get the right treatment almost immdiately. The VA is on my side.
I see no phone number or website for this virtual care. Now I see the number for assistance, and I will call that.
That number produced a general menu, not specific to Virtual Care. When I finally got to speak with someone. She tried, but couldn’t find information on the program.
I noticed a highlighted “VA Health Chat” option. I clicked that and signed in with myhealthevet. It wanted to send a code to an outdated phone number [there was no way to edit the number]. When I clicked “trouble getting code”, it asked for IDME information, which I do not have.
So you see, your system is badly flawed. I thought the Virtual Care info would be good to have written down in case I ever need it. Now I will just forget about it.
I appreciate that the VA is trying. My experience is it’s a “cya” preventative they use by adding another call center, or get you connected (placed on hold) for an operator that can’t get you an appointment for 3 months from now. None of these people are heath professionals. They work from home answering the calls.
This is one ripoff site that is totally useless . They wanted my name in full , my DOB , last 4 of SS , and then said they could not help but offered to send a message to my primary care . Why would one need them when they can call or message primary care themselves ?
This article is very helpful.
Thanks ALVIN SPRINGGATE
I need $2,000 for badly needed dental work, as I am in constant dental paid. Is there anyway to resolve this issue?????? if you have some good advice!
I need some insurance
Just tried VA Health Chat. They are closed until 0800 tomorrow.
This is good to know and I am grateful to the VA for giving me excellent care.
Do we have access to any marketing materials related to the tele-ED program at contracted CBOCS across the country?
Sooooo……. all the nurse can do is recommend treatment or tell you where to go to get treatment? That’s not helpful at 11:30 pm on a Saturday night, when you are really ill with a UTI and in pain and need a prescription for an antibiotic. Really! All they can do is tell you to “see your doctor on Monday or go to the emergency room”! Not very helpful at all, unless the person writing this article just entirely missed the mark.
The email that the VA sent out about “Tele-emergency care through VA Health Connect” shows a picture of someone with a video connection to a health professional but the article here refers you to calling your local VA facility on the phone wading through the automated voice menu and hoping someone answers the phone.
The VA does have a VA Video Connect app for your smart phone but that is for appointments only and cannot be initiated by the veteran. There is also a separate VA Health Chat app and another separate VA Health and Benefits app (both of which require Login.gov or ID.me and 2FA). The VA Health Chat app lets you chat with a pharmacy or triage at night but is NOT available during normal working hours.
Bottom line: Nothing even close to what is shown in the picture in the email that VA sent out.
The most effective and directions I have received in 26 years of retirement. As days become harder to get at 85, thru, the VA keeps me going and on target. Thanks a million.
What happens when you are not near a VA Healthcare and you are injured can you go to a regular hospital for care
Now this seems like a much needed service that the majority of people will use and needed.
Very helpful and informative.
Is this service accessible to overseas vets?
Sounds very promising, something I may consider using in the future if or when the need arise.
Thank you Josh Geiger and Dr. Patel for continuing the forward progress in helping us veterans receive outstanding health care. The emails I receive keeps me in the loop and gives me a better understanding of how special our health care is.
This sounds very interesting. I have had a few times when I needed help on something that was happening to me but didn’t want to go to the ER. Good job on thinking about this.
It’s been a long time coming Thank you
Thank you it’s been a long time coming
Sounds good!
I thought this was a very informative article. Not aware of the Tele-emergency option
This is ridiculous! WHT not included the url to the app? There is no “health connect” anything that’s intuitive for people to locate and use. Where us the testing of the sw being tested? I doubt the VA has done complete testing as anything the VA is way too hard to access. Especially since they like to advertise everything but with red tape. My experience dictates my opinion.
Thank you for this valuable resource.
I was in VA healthcare system years ago
My husband was disabled Vietnam veteran who passed 9/15/22. I’m on ChampVa and a veteran
Would I qualify for VA healthcare
Great saved for future reference. VA telehealth. Thank you all.
this is good news
I’m a Vietnam-era Veteran 1967-70, US Army CounterIntelligence, now 77, based now in Wilmington, DE, where I’ve received my healthcare since 1 Jan 2018 from the VA / Elsmere / Wilmington, DE. I have Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), with a Double ByPass 2 Nov 2016, and progression to Angina in June 2022. Given Stroke History in my Family, as well as the presence of this Atherosclerosis, I’m aware that Strokes likely will be part of my Medical Condition, including contributing to my demise by CAD when that occurs. I’m seeking Education re: Preparing for Strokes, including Risk Reduction, Symptomology, Stroke Management (e.g., do I drive myself to the VA, call 9-1-1 for transport to Christiana Care, or some other alternative), and given the likelihood of the inevitable, know in advance what kinds of Stroke Treatment the VA offers which I should likely plan to integrate into my HealthCare Planning.
This is a very good article and assistance for veterans that lives alone and has difficulty finding transportation. Thank you for your attention to our veterans health needs and care ?.
The VA is amazingly good. You just keep on doing better and better. Thank you!
It is very difficult to get VA services in the st Clair co. Area since they refuse any new contacts.. I have been registered with v a health services but never needed services til now due to my Regular physician closing services! unfortunately, the Local VA services refused to even recognize me as patient and refused me any services…very frustrating since I am handicapped by a concussion which left me with limited sight, unable to walk without help, and severe motion sickness if in a vehicle.
Thank You VA For all of the great resources that you have provided for myself & all of my Brothers &!Sisters …& starting with Myself & My Wife …Thank You isn’t big enough for all of our Benefits &!Family of Brothers & Sisters