Va Hospitals: Are They In Every State?

Veterans' health care in the United States is divided into 19 regions, each with its own network of VA medical facilities and Vet Centers. These facilities offer a wide range of services, including hospital care, mental health services, orthopaedics, radiology, physical therapy, and more. While VA hospitals are present in all 50 states, some states or territories may not have a full-service VA medical centre. Additionally, with over 4,000 VA-approved urgent care locations, veterans can access free urgent care nationwide.

Veterans can access free urgent care at 4,000+ VA-approved locations

Veterans in the United States can access free urgent care at over 4,000 VA-approved locations. These locations are spread across the country and include VA medical centres and in-network community providers. This means that veterans can receive treatment for non-life-threatening conditions close to where they live.

To be eligible for this benefit, veterans must be enrolled in VA health care and must have received care at a VA or in-network provider in the past 24 months. To check eligibility, veterans can contact their local VA health facility or call 1-800-698-2411 (TTY: 711).

Urgent care services cover minor illnesses and injuries that require immediate treatment but are not life-threatening, such as strep throat, pink eye, sprained muscles, and skin and ear infections. Some diagnostic services like X-rays and blood and urine tests may also be provided.

It is important to note that not every state has a full-service VA medical centre. However, veterans can receive assistance in finding the nearest VA hospital or understanding their VA disability benefits. Veterans can also connect with medical professionals virtually through VA Health Connect, which offers real-time access to emergency care without the need to travel or wait in an emergency room.

VA hospitals provide surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopaedics, etc

VA hospitals, also known as Veterans Affairs hospitals, provide a wide range of healthcare services to US veterans. While I cannot confirm if every state has a VA hospital, there are VA facilities spread across the country. These facilities offer various services, including surgery, critical care, mental health support, orthopaedics, and more.

Surgery

VA hospitals offer surgical procedures across various specialties, including ophthalmology, plastic surgery, orthopaedic surgery, cardiac surgery, vascular surgery, and thoracic surgery. In 2019, the VA performed over 600,000 operations, making it the largest single health system in the US for that year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, elective surgical operations were temporarily cancelled or delayed to follow national guidelines and prioritise urgent cases.

Critical Care

VA hospitals provide critical care services, ensuring that veterans in crisis or with urgent needs can receive timely assistance. This includes access to emergency rooms and a dedicated Veterans Crisis Line for mental health support.

Mental Health

VA mental health services are comprehensive, offering support for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), military sexual trauma (MST), depression, grief, anxiety, and other psychological needs. Veterans can access counselling, therapy, medication management, and peer support from other veterans. The VA also offers telemental health programs, allowing veterans to connect with mental health providers remotely through computers or mobile devices.

Orthopaedics

VA hospitals provide orthopaedic surgical procedures, although the volume of these procedures decreased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Procedures such as knee and hip arthroplasty were among those most affected by the elective surgery cancellations.

In addition to these services, VA hospitals also offer geriatric care, home health services, and access to medical equipment, prosthetics, and prescriptions. Veterans can apply for VA health care benefits and manage their healthcare alongside other VA benefits and services.

VA health professionals can operate in every state

Veterans' health care in the United States is divided into 19 regions, known as VISNs or Veterans Integrated Service Networks. These networks comprise around 170 VA Medical Centers and 1,193 community-based outpatient clinics across the country. VA health professionals can operate in every state, as affirmed by the US Constitution, and the VA is developing national standards of practice for health care professionals to follow. These standards will outline a consistent set of services that healthcare professionals can provide if their facility offers these services and they have the necessary education, training, and skills.

VA health professionals can offer a wide range of services, including hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health services, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology, and physical therapy. Many veterans are eligible for free VA urgent care benefits at over 4,000 VA-approved urgent care locations across the country. Additionally, most VA medical centers provide specialty services like audiology, speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some VA centers also offer advanced services, including organ transplants and plastic surgery.

To make healthcare more accessible, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) utilizes Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) to provide common outpatient services without the need to visit a larger medical center. The VHA is expanding its network of CBOCs to include more rural locations, bringing care closer to home for veterans. Additionally, Community Living Centers (CLCs) serve as skilled nursing facilities for veterans with chronic stable conditions, providing rehabilitation and end-of-life care.

VA health professionals work within a comprehensive system that includes various facilities and services. Vet Centers, for example, focus on post-war adjustment, counseling, and outreach services for veterans and their families. The VA also provides an online directory, "Our Providers", which lists primary licensed independent practice providers who may be part of a veteran's treatment team at a VA medical center. This directory includes information such as the provider's full name, gender, clinical product line, medical training, and medical degree.

There are 170 VA medical centres and 1,193 community-based outpatient clinics

Veterans' health care in the United States is a complex and extensive system. It is geographically separated into 19 regions, or Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), each with its own medical centres and community-based outpatient clinics. This ensures that veterans across the country have access to essential healthcare services close to home.

As of 2025, there are 170 VA Medical Centres and approximately 1,193 community-based outpatient clinics in the US. These VA Medical Centres, often referred to as VAMCs, offer a comprehensive range of services, including traditional hospital-based care such as surgery, critical care, mental health services, orthopaedics, pharmacy, radiology, and physical therapy. In addition, many VAMCs provide specialty services like audiology, speech pathology, dermatology, dental care, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some centres even offer advanced procedures such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.

The VA has affirmed its right to allow healthcare professionals to operate in every state and establish national standards of practice. This means that VA health care professionals can provide consistent and standardised care across the nation, ensuring that veterans receive the same high-quality care regardless of their location. This standardisation is based on the proper education, training, and skills of healthcare professionals and the specific services provided by their facilities.

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) play a crucial role in making healthcare more accessible. These clinics are located across the country, including in rural areas, providing common outpatient services without the need to visit larger medical centres. CBOCs offer health and wellness visits, making it more convenient for veterans to access the care they need. Additionally, Community Living Centres (CLCs) serve veterans with chronic stable conditions, providing skilled nursing care and end-of-life comfort and support.

While the VA healthcare system strives to provide widespread access, some states or US territories may not have a full-service VA medical centre. In such cases, veterans may face challenges when travelling to the nearest VAMC due to medical conditions, environmental factors, or geographical obstacles. However, with over 4,000 VA-approved urgent care locations nationwide, veterans can receive free urgent care benefits, ensuring they get the timely assistance they require.

VA hospitals are separated into 19 regions, known as VISNs

VA hospitals are separated into 18 or 19 regions, known as VISNs (Veterans Integrated Service Networks). These networks are regional systems of care that work together to meet local and regional healthcare needs and provide greater access to care for veterans. VISNs are hierarchically organized within each system by division level of care or type.

The number of VA medical centers varies across the regions, with some regions having more hospitals than others. For example, VISN 2, the VA New York/New Jersey VA Health Care Network, is the largest VISN and has 15 hospitals. The VA Healthcare System serving Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan (VISN 10) has 12 hospitals, while the VA New England Healthcare System (VISN 1) and VA Healthcare (VISN 4) each have 11 hospitals.

Veterans can access healthcare services at VA hospitals and medical centers across the United States, and there are approximately 1,193 community-based outpatient clinics in the country. Many veterans are also eligible for free VA urgent care benefits at over 4,000 VA-approved urgent care locations nationwide.

It is important for veterans to know the locations of VA hospitals, especially when traveling, in case of a medical emergency. While most states have VA hospitals or medical centers, some states or US territories do not have full-service VA medical centers, and veterans in these areas may face challenges when traveling to the nearest facility.

Frequently asked questions