Many Veterans may not be aware of life-changing benefits they’ve earned—and deserve—through military service. This outreach kit about VA urgent care services includes flyers, social media graphics and suggested corresponding language, radio public service announcements (PSA), newsletter content and a sample blog post to help you spread the word. Please share this information broadly with your networks, family and friends.

Flyer (Print and Digital)

Veterans enrolled in VA health care can use over 4,000 urgent care locations to treat non-life-threatening conditions.

VA covers urgent care services at VA medical centers and in network community providers,

  • If you’re a Veteran enrolled in VA health care and
  • You received care at a VA or in-network provider sometime in the past 24 months.

Check your eligibility by contacting your local VA health facility. Or call 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411) (TTY: 711). Select option 1, then option 3, then option 1. Family members can’t use your urgent care benefit.

You can print a copy of the urgent care assistance card or show the card on your mobile device. Download the VA urgent care billing information card.

  • What do to when you arrive at a community urgent care provider:
    • Confirm that the provider is in VA’s network. Check for a posted sign or ask a staff member. If you go to an out-of-network urgent care provider, you may have to pay for the full cost of care. By law, VA can’t pay claims for out-of-network providers.
    • Show your VA Health Identification Card and fill out the provider’s intake form.
    • Tell the provider you want to use your VA urgent care benefit. Show the provider your urgent care assistance card if requested. The provider will call the phone number for your region listed on the card to check your eligibility.
  • Find a VA-approved urgent care provider and pharmacy at VA.gov/find-locations before seeking care. Providers can change over time. Before seeking care, print this VA Billing Information Guide for you, your provider, and your pharmacy.
  • If you need help using your VA urgent care benefit, call:
    • 1- 888-901-6609 if the provider is in Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., or any of these states: AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VA, VI, VT, WI, or WV.
    • 1-866-620-2071 if the provider is in any of these states: AK, AS, AZ, CA, CO, GU, HI, ID, MP, MT, NM, NV, OR, TX, UT, WA, or WY.

When to choose VA urgent care: VA and in-network urgent care providers can meet many of your health care needs. They may be able to provide some diagnostic tests, like certain blood and urine tests. You can often get care for minor illnesses or injuries much faster than in an emergency room. 

When to call 911 or go to the emergency room: If you need emergency care, you don’t need a VA referral or approval to go to a non-VA emergency room in your community.

Choosing VA means getting everything you need in one spot. Learn more about VA urgent care, eligibility requirements and examples of urgent care services by visiting VA’s dedicated urgent care benefit page.

Social media graphics and content (right click and “Save as”)

Man in chair smiling while woman in medical scrubs leans over his shoulder in a caring manner. Words on the graphic say "When to choose VA urgent care. For minor illnesses or injuries. VA and in-network urgent care can provide some diagnostic tests, certain blood and urine tests plus care for minor illnesses or injuries."
Man in chair smiling while woman in medical scrubs leans over his shoulder in a caring manner. Words on the graphic say "When to choose VA urgent care. For minor illnesses or injuries. VA and in-network urgent care can provide some diagnostic tests, certain blood and urine tests plus care for minor illnesses or injuries."
Man pushing person in a wheelchair onto a ramp of a shuttle bus. Words on graphic say "Travel costs to non-VA urgent care. Reimbursements for qualified Veterans. VA will pay the cost of travel for non-VA urgent care locations if the Veteran is eligible for VA travel reimbursement."
Man pushing person in a wheelchair onto a ramp of a shuttle bus. Words on graphic say "Travel costs to non-VA urgent care. Reimbursements for qualified Veterans. VA will pay the cost of travel for non-VA urgent care locations if the Veteran is eligible for VA travel reimbursement."
Two women seated, one woman is shaking hands with someone out of view. Words on the graphic say "No copay at non-VA urgent care. No upfront fees for urgent care. Eligible Veterans don't pay copays for non-VA urgent care. There's no limit to how many times a Veteran can use the urgent care benefit."
Two women seated, one woman is shaking hands with someone out of view. Words on the graphic say "No copay at non-VA urgent care. No upfront fees for urgent care. Eligible Veterans don't pay copays for non-VA urgent care. There's no limit to how many times a Veteran can use the urgent care benefit."
Person with their arm in a sling signing documents at a medical appointment. Words on the graphic say "Help using VA urgent care benefits."
Person with their arm in a sling signing documents at a medical appointment. Words on the graphic say "Help using VA urgent care benefits."
Image of urgent care entrance to the building. Words on the graphic say "Trouble finding VA urgent care providers? Over 4,000 urgent care providers. As a VA health care patient you have access to 4,000 urgent care providers across the country. Contact 1-888-901-6609 for eastern states or 1-966-620-2071 for western states to find one closest to you."
Image of urgent care entrance to the building. Words on the graphic say "Trouble finding VA urgent care providers? Over 4,000 urgent care providers. As a VA health care patient you have access to 4,000 urgent care providers across the country. Contact 1-888-901-6609 for eastern states or 1-966-620-2071 for western states to find one closest to you."
Man smiling at a pharmacy counter while female pharmacist assists him. Words on the graphic say "Filling your urgent care medications. Get your prescriptions conveniently. VA pays for up to a 14-day supply of urgent care prescriptions from in-network community pharmacies."
Man smiling at a pharmacy counter while female pharmacist assists him. Words on the graphic say "Filling your urgent care medications. Get your prescriptions conveniently. VA pays for up to a 14-day supply of urgent care prescriptions from in-network community pharmacies."

Why use VA Urgent Care?

Veterans enrolled in VA health care can use over 4,000 urgent care locations across the country to treat non-life-threatening conditions. Learn more:

  • Urgent care may be right for you if you have health problems or symptoms like these:
    • Sore throat or persistent cough
    • Strains, sprains, or minor broken bones 
    • Deep cuts that are no longer bleeding a lot
    • Allergies
    • Mild burns
    • Mild nausea or vomiting
    • Urinary tract infection symptoms (like needing to pee often or urgently or urine that looks cloudy or smells bad)
  • Make sure you bring a
    • Valid, government-issued photo ID and a
    • Copy of your VA urgent care assistance card
  • Suggested Tweet (X): Did you know if you’re enrolled in VA, you also have access to over 4,000 urgent care locations across the country to treat non-life-threatening conditions?
  • Suggested Tweet (X): Not an emergency? Then visit a VA urgent care clinic. VA has over 4,000 urgent care locations across the country that treat non-life-threatening conditions.
  • Suggested Tweet (X): Why choose a VA urgent care clinic? VA and in-network urgent care providers can meet many of your health care needs. They may be able to provide diagnostic exams like certain blood and urine tests. You can often get care for minor illnesses or injuries much faster than in an emergency room. 

Learn more about VA urgent care, eligibility requirements, and examples of urgent care services by visiting VA’s dedicated urgent care benefit page.

Radio PSAs

When is a Veteran eligible to use VA urgent care?

What’s the benefit of VA urgent care?

Newsletter content

Because of your service, you may be eligible for VA urgent care. Veterans enrolled in VA health care can use over 4,000 urgent care locations across the country—including VA medical centers and in network‑ community providers—to treat non-life-threatening conditions.

Sample blog post

Because of your service, you may be eligible for VA urgent care. Veterans enrolled in VA health care can use over 4,000 urgent care locations across the country—including VA medical centers and in-network community providers—to treat non-life-threatening conditions.

  • VA covers urgent care services at VA medical centers and in‑network community providers
    • If you’re a Veteran enrolled in VA health care, and
    • You received care at a VA or in-network provider sometime in the past 24 months.
  • Examples of covered urgent care services include:
    • Minor injuries and illnesses like strep throat, pink eye, sprained muscles, and skin and ear infections
    • Diagnostic services like X-rays and some types of lab tests
    • Some types of medicines and vaccines

VA and in-network urgent care providers can meet many of your health needs. They may be able to provide some diagnostic tests, like certain blood and urine tests. You can often get care for minor illnesses or injuries much faster than in an emergency room. 

Common questions about VA urgent care

Should I pay a copay at a non-VA urgent care clinic?

No. Don’t pay anything at the time of your visit. If you have a copay, we’ll send you a bill.

Copays for urgent care are $30 in some cases. Having a copay depends on factors like your priority group and how many times you go to urgent care in a year.

Learn more about urgent care copays.

Can I fill my urgent care prescription at a non-VA pharmacy?

Yes. We pay for up to a 14-day supply of urgent care prescriptions from in-network community pharmacies.

Here’s what to know:

  • You must visit an in-network pharmacy in the same state as your urgent care visit. Or you can fill your prescription through VA.
  • If your prescription is for a routine medicine or more than a 14-day supply, you must fill it through VA.
  • If you fill a prescription at an out-of-network pharmacy, you may have to pay the full cost. You can file a claim to request reimbursement for the cost.

Find an in-network community pharmacy

Can I be reimbursed for travel costs to non-VA urgent care?

We’ll pay you back for the cost of travel if both descriptions are true for you:

  • You’re eligible for VA travel reimbursement and
  • You travel to get care at a non-VA urgent care location in your community

We base your payment on the one-way distance to the nearest VA health facility or community provider that could have provided the care or service. We pay for only one-way (not round-trip) travel costs for unscheduled care. Learn about VA travel pay reimbursement

Can I use in-network urgent care as my primary care provider?

No. Urgent care isn’t a replacement for your primary care provider. And your urgent care benefit doesn’t cover the preventive health care services your primary care provider offers.

Use urgent care when you need treatment right away for minor illnesses and injuries. If you think the urgent care provider won’t understand your medical history or medicines, contact your primary care provider.

What do I do if there are no in-network urgent care providers near me?

Contact your nearest VA health care facility. All VA medical centers offer same-day primary care and mental health services. If you think your life or health is in danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Know that we can only pay for your emergency care under certain conditions.

Choosing VA means getting everything you need in one spot. Learn more about VA urgent care, eligibility requirements, and examples of urgent care services by visiting VA’s dedicated urgent care benefit page. Have questions? 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411) is always the right number.

Leave a comment

The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

83 Comments

  1. David D (USMC) March 22, 2024 at 17:58

    This is a great benefit from the VA. I went to my urgent care, processed in, but it took me over three hours to leave. Still, I had no copay and I was out unscathed. Dare I say, the NorCal VA is way better than my private doctor. I am a VA convert.

  2. David P Cohn March 21, 2024 at 17:28

    The VA informational speaks in terms of an “urgent care assistance card” – to bring it and your VA or gov’t ID with you to the urgent care facility – but, no link or method on how to obtain an “urgent care assistance card”.

    It says: ? how to get an urgent care assistance card?

    What to bring with you to a community urgent care provider
    • A valid, government-issued photo ID, and
    • A copy of the VA urgent care assistance card
    You can print out a copy of the urgent care assistance card or show the card on your mobile device.
    Download the VA urgent care billing information card (PDF)

    How or where is the downloadable assistance card?

  3. Amy Nus8aum March 21, 2024 at 15:25

    The instructions on the poster to check eligibility didn’t work for me.

  4. Thomas E Otto March 21, 2024 at 00:27

    My husband is a veteran and was referred to Seattle Cancer Care Long Term follow-up as his physician believed he is in end stage cancer rejection. The day before we were scheduled to depart, my husband was too ill to travel. We were able to cancel hotel and car reservations but not airfare. Is there anyway to get reimbursed for this charge. I am his caregiver and needed to accompany him.
    I tried several times to contact someone in the VA to let me know what the rules were before we travelled but my voicemails that were left were never answered

  5. JOHN W WATTERS March 19, 2024 at 16:20

    I am trying to find out how obtain an Urgent Care Identification Card. I find links to everything but the information I’m looking for. Can you please tell me how to get my card? Thank you.

  6. Michael Friedli March 18, 2024 at 20:11

    It’s not clear how to get this ID card.

  7. David Moeller March 17, 2024 at 13:23

    Very helpful!

  8. Robert Rollman March 17, 2024 at 12:37

    Can I get this in paper form.?

  9. Albert Potthast March 17, 2024 at 06:30

    “VA covers urgent care services at VA medical centers and in network community providers,…”, unless the VA decides not to pay. In one of several instances, I was sent to a heart doctor by the VA and no surprise, the doctor sent me a bill for what the VA would not pay. I fully expect I will receive retribution just for commenting. As others have commented, keeping veterans in pain is common practice. I expect that now. Keep your expectations low so you are not disappointed. Knowing an unlicensed street pharmacist may be your best option for pain relief. Most recently I went to my primary care doctor for a routine, sceduled, semi-annual appointment. I saw two nurses. Neither one gave a damn that my bone on bone shoulder pain was extreme. They wouldn’t even talk about it. Instead they walked me over to one of their “counselors.” I left that guy as quickly as I could and went back to see the doctor. Then I was told the doctor was not in today. Audie Murphy has some sick people working for them. Believe this propaganda at your own peril.

  10. R March 17, 2024 at 03:19

    They are calling it a card, but it is not, rather it is a graphic you can print to show the urgent care facility you go to. Your name or identifying information is not on it—so you are not linked to VA or that even you are a veteran. You will
    Need to show yourVA ID. Also,
    To me, the graphic only speaks to a pharmacy or the veteran, but necessarily an urgent care facility.

  11. Roger Schmurr March 16, 2024 at 11:40

    No instruction (that works) to download the card you’re speaking of! The link simply sends me around in a circle.

  12. Dave Smith March 16, 2024 at 11:28

    If a veteran is in need of urgent medical care, they will likley be in pain or disoriented and will be unable to navigate the Byzantine VA website on thier smart phone – assuming they have one available. The decision to go to an Urgent Care / ER will likely be made by someone who is not familiar with the VA system, like a family member, friend or acqaintance. If the wrong Urgent Care is chosen, the veteran literally pays for it.

    The VA needs to recognize that the VA medical system is socialized medicine for veterans. In most countries with socialized medicine, if you have an urgent medical issue, you call a number, which is staffed 24-7 by a triage nurse, who can recommend an ER verses Urgent Care verses assigned provider based on the severity of the complaint and then where to go. This scheme reduces the number of expensive ER visits. For VA patients, it would also eliminate the out-of-network Urgent Care problem. And, yes, paying a nurse $75-100 an hour to answer the phone would quickly pay for itself – think about the cost of each ER visit ($1,000 minimum) verses the cost of an Urgent Care ($100-200) or provider (budgeted).

    Implementing this is fairly easy. First, hire some triage nurses. Then, provide veterans with a standard medical coverage card (like the one you get from Aetna, Blue Cross). Include the veteran’s full name, eligibility, the standard pharmacy information, as well as the 24-hour triage number for the veteran, family member, or acquaintance to call. The current VA medical cards have an administrative M-F number which is fine for medical providers, but is marginally useful for urgent medical care decisions.

    For now, I will choose the Emergency Room every time because I know the VA will pay. Maybe when we bust their budget, they will finally get a clue.

  13. glendara wells March 16, 2024 at 03:55

    i asked the first responders if i could be taken to a VA facility and wad told they only go to their local hospital where i had a bad experience. i was not dying, just suffered a fall and could not get up but did have pain so required xrays.

  14. Susan March 15, 2024 at 10:03

    Finally an answer to a question I have had for 5 years but could get no one at the VA to give me a straight answer. Please put this in an accessible place on your website. Don’t bury it under lots of unnecessary information. The worst part of the VA website is finding what you need and then remembering where it is buried.

  15. Scott March 15, 2024 at 09:46

    The care card is a link in the document above… https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/docs/programs/OCC-Billing-Information-Card.pdf it’s not a card that has your information on it, but information the urgent care clinic and pharmacies need. Simply print out the one for your region.

    If you don’t have a VA ID card, talk to your local VA or go to access.va.gov and use the VIC link.

  16. Mark Carter March 15, 2024 at 07:44

    Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This is needed so much. I find so many veterans get so confused and angry on this, emergency care in Hospitals, VA pre-authorizations for Community Care and pharmacy claims. Veterans get different information from different parts of the VA. One office says this and another, that. Who’s right?! No one is on the same page. As a Veteran and a VA employee, I ask. No. I beg!, that education and information get to not only the veteran, but to all of VA, Community Care Hospitals, Urgent Care Clinics, Pharmacies, and all other providers that I missed. We should have outreaches at events, symposiums, and seminars to get maximum coverage (Web, email, snail mail, and in person. We ALL need to be on the same page. Thanks again.

  17. R Amendola March 14, 2024 at 21:01

    Nice service. Good info

  18. Jeremy Sigler March 14, 2024 at 19:28

    It’s a joke I live an hour away from the nearest urgent care for the va and yet I live five minutes from a hospital and it’s only accessible if it’s an emergency.

    • Isaac Smith March 15, 2024 at 14:59

      It’s no joke as it is very helpful!! Too bad you live so far from everything, there is always somebody that has to complain…just saying.

  19. Richard F. C. Seidemann, Sr. March 14, 2024 at 18:15

    How do I apply for a VA Urgent Card. I live an hour from the VA facility. I see this asked many times, but no answers. I also travel out of state from time to time.

  20. James Stoner March 14, 2024 at 18:12

    I will follow suite, how do you get the Urgent Care Card???

  21. Maisha Donaldson March 14, 2024 at 17:49

    This was great! Help line was hreat! We can have up to 3 urgent care visits per year as long as it is in the VA network! Turns out every urgent care is in network! All i need is VA id! Great information!

  22. chuck schreiter March 14, 2024 at 16:47

    how do i get a “urgent care va card” if i need one to go to a urgent care facility? chuck schreiter

  23. William L Thomas March 14, 2024 at 15:42

    I will add my frustration to the growing list of those wanting to how do I get the “Urgent Care Assistance Card”. I spent two and one half to three hours on the phone only to end up where I started with answers ranging from there is no card to use a copy of the email I received informing of the new service.

  24. John March 14, 2024 at 14:12

    Where can I get a list of Urgent Care facilities?

  25. Donald M Holley March 14, 2024 at 13:04

    how do I get my urgent care kit and card

  26. Robert Gonzalez March 14, 2024 at 12:41

    If I am in an auto accident and get transported to the nearest hospital unconcious, which is St. Vincents in Santa Fe NM 78505 am I covered?

    • Bruce Hunt March 14, 2024 at 14:42

      tell the hospital NOW about VA ..

  27. Thomas Henry March 14, 2024 at 12:05

    Is there an implementation plan for this program? The comments below indicate there is not a written plan. If there were, you would have anticipated the questions and comments.

    To be blunt, you are dealing with people that may not have the best language processing skills. That includes people administering the program and users. Did anyone bother to ask either group how the perceived or understood this program? Get someone that thinks like a veteran and someone that has to answer questions to write your program. This press release is very confusing. You can do better.

  28. Thomas Henry March 14, 2024 at 11:58

    I get this is a rough press release, not the final copy.

    Please provide a simple link to people who may take calls from veterans on how they (we) need to do to get a benefit card.

    The writers for this press piece need to consider the KISS principle. Way too much repetitive information.

    • Larry Tunison March 14, 2024 at 15:04

      I find that all areas of the VA are utilizing complicated language and “Pop” words that the majority of Vets do not use or understand. I recently read a pharmequity two paragraph of this sort that simply said the pharmacy treats all Vets equally. They are making mistakes trying to keep up with “wokeness”. I recently filled out a survey that ask gender allowing one to communicate their identity. There were a few other questions then a “choose one” option of male or female. How many Vets refer to a person as an “actor”?

  29. Joe Tabarez March 14, 2024 at 11:26

    Excellent urgent care information and benefit. I was able to download or print the Urgent Care Flyer and Urgent Care Billing/Information Card. I was also able to locate all of the VA approved urgent care facilities in my zip code from links provided in this “VA News” email. Thank you for making this so easy!

  30. Rodney March 14, 2024 at 11:10

    As commented before, how do you get the card?

    • Isaac Smith March 15, 2024 at 15:29

      To everyone who can’t find the card, read the instructions!! You do know how to read don’t you? KISS.

  31. Charles Krawetzke March 14, 2024 at 11:04

    Good to know. And thanks for sharing the info hard to get the card

  32. MLe Howland March 14, 2024 at 10:14

    I really do not know how to respond to the article. I live in western Oregon and used to go to the North Bend, OR Clinic. Im at 100% rated. This Clinic should be shut down for incompetence. Four years I waited for an appointment with any doctor as mine either retired or died. I had ONE on teleport. There is no doctor except one in Coloradoon Teleport. The nurse never touched or looked at my problem (I have tumor growths, non cancerous in my leg. and have had 2 other surgeries removing them. I have a surgeon, ready to go outside the VA for other removals, but all i needed was an Ultra sound and an MRI to give to this surgeon. for 2 years I was begging because of the pain in leg and OH MY i said the tumor was laying on a nerve and off to the races this nurse without looking at my leg went to make an appointment with NEUROLOGY?? to see what kind of test I really needed. This nurse needsto be fired. So far she has set me up with CT scans, Xrays and actuallt told me I was costing trhe VA too much in test that give no results??? And that I already had this sugery x2 and I didnt need anymore.??? I finally had to let this clinic go as they were not helping me get what I needed. I went to the one in Eugene and actually had an appointment thru an Advocate.. In getting this Appt, I am now out of the North Bend Clinic… BUT the day before I was to go to this appt, they called me and said they werent taking any new patients. I even went to urgent care in Eugene and said they couldnt see me because i wasnt a patient of theirs. Now I had no where to get my meds refilled, no health provider nothing. I finally had to go to Private care which has taken 2 months before they could get around to an ultra sound and she marked down the wrong leg? So I had to wait for another appt. TRI West is picking up these bills… My new Ultra sound appt is March 18th and 20 unless they cancel which I understand they do alot. What can I do if they do, this leg is in ppain and losing circulation (toes are a darker color red. Dont tell me to go to our Emergency in Hospital, because i tried that and they tell me to see my provider which i do not have) and it is in pain and i cannot bear weight on it. URGHHH I cant get into the system unless i go Private care. So the article is false. Someone needs to close down and look into North Bend Clinic, Oregon, its a joke and not funny. Someone needs to tell the Eugene clinic that Veterans need to be seen in a VA Clinic or urgent care in which they have but not enough hired help. Thanks for your time MLe

  33. James George March 14, 2024 at 10:08

    trying to recieve travel facility added to your BSST is nearly impossible from Bay Pines Administration,
    The number they give you goes to a guy who doesn’t call back , and alledgelly everyone there knows this
    as i have found out from numerous calls to bay pines travel section. ( hes too busy ????)

    So my $ 100 round trip to gulf coast medical has never been paid becasue the administrator never called me back.
    I will find hois name if you desire to know and contact me
    I utilize the cape coral va.

    thank you James George

  34. Dan March 14, 2024 at 09:55

    I am so thankful to the men and women who served our country and to those who now serve us in the medical facilities across the nation. I’m also thankful to President Biden for holding Veterans in high regard and not belittling us or diminishing or value and contribution to our country.

  35. Victoria King March 14, 2024 at 09:47

    I downloaded what was listed as an urgent care card, but it seems to only be for pharmacies

    • mark urban March 14, 2024 at 13:07

      look at the wholecard

  36. GHarmon March 14, 2024 at 09:40

    Is there a way to order this info printed in phamlet (sp?) form?

  37. William P Carroll Jr March 14, 2024 at 09:14

    Very informative. Thanks

  38. Craig M. Truskey March 14, 2024 at 09:01

    I am US Army retired and have a VA medical card as well as my retired military ID. I’m on Medicare and Tri Care for life so how does this affect me.

  39. bruce low March 14, 2024 at 09:00

    How do I get the urgent care card

  40. John March 14, 2024 at 08:59

    Use it you earned it

  41. Sonny Freeman March 14, 2024 at 08:35

    Thank God for the VA ! They are so awesome and they are very appreciated !

  42. Cecily David COL MC Ret March 14, 2024 at 08:16

    Thanks VA ??

  43. Cecily David COL MC Ret March 14, 2024 at 08:15

    Thanks VA ??

  44. William A Blodgett, Jr March 14, 2024 at 08:09

    I served 4 years in the U.S. Air Force, 1977 to 1981. Am I eligible for this benefit?

  45. William March 14, 2024 at 07:49

    I would advise calling the VA before going to an urgent care facility. I had a bad injury, cut my foot and hit an artery. The amount of bleeding was very serious. The nearest emergency room is 40 minutes away from me. The small town I live in has an urgent care that is 5 minutes away. We chose the urgent care. That choice ended up costing me money. They cleaned the wound, did an x-ray, and stitched me up. The VA paid for that. When I left they gave me crutches because I couldn’t walk and a protective shoe. That VA refused to cover those items. I was told that if I had gone to an emergency room that they would have been covered but since I went to the urgent care they were not. Make any sense? I guess I should have taken a $900 ambulance ride, to an over priced emergency room 40 minutes away (even longer because I would have had to waited another 15 minutes for the ambulance to arrive) so it all would have been covered. The visit cost the VA less than $275, it cost me $145. Not a great deal of money, but when you are living on a fixed income it is. I also question the logic behind this since in the end I saved the VA money. I am thankful for all the VA does but this came as a shock to me

  46. John Lyons March 14, 2024 at 06:02

    Greetings! Is there any ability to use a dentist for urgent care? Say you have a painful infected tooth and there is no VA affiliated dentist nearby. Community care dentists will not work on you without prior approval, and that can take weeks or months.

  47. Rex Cowan March 14, 2024 at 04:55

    Excellent information. I hate going to the VA emergency department for non life threatening things. Knowing I have an option makes me sleep better. Thank you

  48. Joseph Arnold March 14, 2024 at 03:59

    How do I acquire a “VA urgent care assistance card”; I have never been issued such a credential.

  49. Jay March 13, 2024 at 23:53

    This is great information regarding the use of urgent care facilities.

  50. Jesus V Ortega March 13, 2024 at 23:38

    This e-mail was very informative. Thanks for your continued efforts in making our medical needs through the VA more accessible and and less stressful after an injury or illness. Thanks again.

  51. Michael March 13, 2024 at 23:37

    Thanks so much.

  52. Charles Goines March 13, 2024 at 23:37

    I think this is a good thing. Happy to finally have something closer than San Francisco VA.

  53. Shirley Alberty March 13, 2024 at 23:26

    This is a joke. Twice I was sent to an urgent care in Ponca City. Both times I was turned down because I didn’t call before I went, so they wouldn’t see me.

  54. Robert m Chojnowski March 13, 2024 at 23:09

    Please send me my va urgent care card,,,,ty…

  55. Joe Conte March 13, 2024 at 23:07

    Dont go to CVS for Pharmacy, they are not in the network.

  56. Charles M. Abell, LCDR, USN, Ret. March 13, 2024 at 23:00

    Great information a lot of veterans are not aware of. I just learned so much more of benefits I can use and Local Urgent Care instead of always trying to schedule VA Clinic or going to ER for non-life threatening urgent care. Great Information presentation!

  57. Charles M. Abell, LCDR, USN, Ret. March 13, 2024 at 22:57

    Superb Information. I thought I knew all of my benefits, but this page just shared so much more information I was unaware of. I am going to share this with our Veterans Employee Readiness Group at the U.S. Small Business Administration. We have over 600 veterans working in the SBA who can benefit from this information. Well done!

  58. bruce falink March 13, 2024 at 22:39

    How do i get this urgent care card? No info that shows where to get it.

  59. J Dale March 13, 2024 at 22:36

    Intended to help Veterans…yet still confusing. Question…if you go to an Urgent Care facility, do you return for a follow up appointment or do you have to go to a VA facility?

  60. Pamela Gonsalves March 13, 2024 at 22:30

    How does one get a card? Do we use our VA ID?

  61. Craig McAlister March 13, 2024 at 22:24

    I live in a rural area in California, Although, there is a hospital less than 20 miles from my home. Yet the VA says they don’t have a contract with them to be able to get my lab work done there. So, they are telling me I have to drive 100 miles so I can have my blood drawn there on one day but it has to be some day before my phone appointment can be done with the Urologist. I am eligible for community care. For some reason they do not want to allow me to use any local doctors or lab for anything hear and difficult to find with urgent care as well. There is not even a VA clinic in my county and yet they won’t allow me to get something as simple as blood work done here and neither will you. WHY?

  62. Philip Rolffs March 13, 2024 at 22:10

    I recently called my VA to get an appointment with my provider to discuss a few issues. I told the operator that here was no emergency. I was told that my provider would on vacation for some time. So, I asked if I could see someone else. I was told to go to a hospital ER and be seen there and then call them back. What the hell? I’ve been with the VA for years.

    Are they just trying to get rid of me? I really don’t “need” the VA and I don’t need this kind of “run around.” I have very good private insurance.

    This is pure BS!

  63. sean March 13, 2024 at 21:39

    Awesome, thanks for publishing an updated page. Urgent Care is usually telehealth quick and easy. Well Done.

  64. Michael Dan Noble March 13, 2024 at 21:19

    This website tells me everything except how to order an urgent care card. Where is that done?

  65. Kevin Lawton March 13, 2024 at 21:08

    I had a serious infection in my forefinger, it was swellon and red and hot. Went to an VA approved urgent care facility, they chased me out the door and told to get a hospital. Almost $9000 later…. Where was VA?

  66. John Tarantino March 13, 2024 at 21:00

    This looks like it might be a very useful and acceptable means of providing service to veterans maybe long overdue and certainly there are many urgent care facilities located around the major cities that make it much more convenient for veterans to get minor medical attention that they might need so I think it looks like a good move that the VA made at this time I’ll hold my reservation though

  67. Rutherford Rick March 13, 2024 at 20:58

    Who do I contact in Portland, Or to get my urgent care card? I am enrolled and am 100% VA disabled veteran. I see I have a couple urgent care clinics near me and would want to use this service vs the 20 Mike frites to the va

  68. Donald Courtney March 13, 2024 at 20:27

    You may try informing the in network places that they are in network. I use your site to find one, go there and get turned away.
    The major problem is any Rx in my area have no idea they are listed as in network. Particularly the CVS who is supposedly a VA partner.
    I will tell you from experience they won’t look at the info sheets you provide.
    And even though I am 100% I get charged a co-pay.
    None of the in network urgent care know how to send an Rx to the VA pharmacy. VA closes shop 1600 on Friday and opens 0800 on Monday, so I just don’t get sick on weekends.

  69. Carl Gilman March 13, 2024 at 19:43

    What do I need to do to get an Urgent Care VA card. If I copy the one on the web site it doesn’t have my name or any of my information.

  70. Matt Ovaska March 13, 2024 at 19:33

    You got to be kidding. I’ll take my chances without VA. Lets see what government run outfits are run well. Amtrak is always late. The Post office is not use by OPM. Public schools kids can’t read. The Military can’t get recruits. My Healthy vet is always broken. The hospital won’t even answer their phone. I can’t get parts for my hearing aid. They burned all the Vietnam records in St Lewis, Mo. 22 pesky vets will commit suicide today. They don’t care. In Richmond the VCU train doctors using vets for guinea pigs. My friend got the wrong knee operated on. My other friend had cataract surgery blotched in one eye. Vets are treated like dirt at Maguire Hunter. Even the volunteers are treated badly. I was treated well at Bay Pines in FLA. and in Johnson City, Tenn.

  71. Pedro Huerta March 13, 2024 at 19:29

    What about urgent care while being overseas.?

  72. Michael L Clark March 13, 2024 at 18:18

    There should be a link to urgent care providers where the veteran can imput a zip code and authorized urgent care centers are listed.

  73. Kenneth Bowser March 13, 2024 at 18:08

    I am and have used urgent care many times successfully don’t be afraid sign up you earned it

  74. Scott March 5, 2024 at 17:48

    Bless the VA and all within!!!!!

    • Karen March 14, 2024 at 00:29

      You take care of our veterans this is another care added to your list of veterans care in many forms.

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