Concerned about the Omicron COVID-19 variant? You can reduce your risk of getting sick by switching your appointment to a video telehealth visit.

With the VA Video Connect app, you can meet with your VA care team over a secure video connection. There is no need to drive to a VA medical center or clinic.

Along with saving you travel time, video visits help you avoid exposure to COVID-19 at in-person appointments. Plus, VA telehealth visits are free.

“Veterans can choose a VA Video Connect visit if they prefer staying home because of the Omicron variant, or for any reason. It can be simply because they prefer the convenience of meeting with their VA care team from home,” said Dr. Leonie Heyworth, clinical deputy director, VA Office of Connected Care.

Not all appointments can be conducted over video, but VA telehealth visits are a good option for many primary care and mental health appointments.

First time? We’ll walk you through it.

You can use VA Video Connect on any smartphone, tablet or computer with a reliable internet connection. Your VA care team will send you a link to access your video visits through an email or text message.

If it’s your first time trying a video visit, you can have a VA staff member walk you through the steps of using VA Video Connect and joining the video visit. The Office of Connected Care Help Desk is available to assist with VA Video Connect 24/7 at 866-651-3180.

The steps are also available through the VA Video Connect page on the VA App Store.

In 2021, more than two million Veterans used video visits to connect with their VA care teams. You can avoid exposure to COVID-19 for yourself and your loved ones by switching to a VA Video Connect appointment.

To learn more about switching to a VA Video Connect visit, talk with your VA care team.

The Omicron variant

The Omicron variant is responsible for most recent COVID-19 cases in the U.S. Early data suggests that Omicron may cause less severe illness than previous variants, but it spreads quickly and has a higher potential for breakthrough cases.

Although vaccinated people can contract the Omicron variant, COVID-19 vaccines are still the best protection against serious illness and hospitalization.

To stay up to date on the latest information about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, visit the CDC website. And to learn about getting your COVID-19 vaccination and booster shot through VA, visit the VA website.

Topics in this story

COVID-19telehealthVA Video Connect

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3 Comments

  1. WALTER PELTON February 7, 2022 at 19:07

    i get waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay toooo much email from the va. nearly daily. sometimes more than once a day. should be one a week MAXIMUM. PLEASE. U R DROWNING ME IN EMAIL.

  2. ALBERT MCPHEE February 3, 2022 at 19:29

    I hope someone reads this and can or will reply. I am a USAF retired Colonel. I have Medicare and Tri Care for life. I live relatively close to VA hospital facilities in Las Vegas Nevada. I have never been in a VA medical facility nor have I ever received VA medical care. I spent 27 years on active duty and was honorable retired.
    Am I eligible to receive VA medical care.
    Thank You.

    [Editor: Check your eligibility, here: https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/ ]

  3. Billy Charles Gore February 3, 2022 at 18:33

    Does VA provide any help with Hearing assistance for Veterans (10/08/1961 thru 07/18/1964)?

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