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Veterans & Military Telehealth Options

Published February 2026 · Last updated · Written by Paul Paradis, Editor · Educational information – not medical or mental-health advice

What changed: Changed the page title to name VA Video Connect and Vet Centers, the two VA routes the guide covers first. Earlier on October 30: Reworded phrases in the text, such as “comprehensive” to “a wide range of”. Before that, on October 29: added an answer to “Does the VA offer telehealth?”, citing va.gov: how to ask for telemental health if you are enrolled, how to get care if you are not, VA’s help line, and the Veterans Crisis Line (988, then 1).

Reviewed for educational clarity and safety language by Lisa Lewis, RN, BSN · Independent care-path guide using public clinical, insurance, and platform information

Does the VA offer telehealth? Yes. VA’s telemental health program connects you with a VA mental health provider by computer or mobile device, from home or from a nearby VA facility (VA mental health services, page last updated October 2, 2026; checked October 29, 2026). To get started:

  1. If you are enrolled in VA health care, ask any of your VA providers to connect you with telemental health.
  2. If you are not enrolled, you can still call or walk in to any VA medical center, or a Vet Center during clinic hours. VA says you don’t need to be enrolled to get care there.
  3. Not sure what you need? VA’s line is 877-222-8387 (TTY 800-877-8339), Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.
  4. In a crisis, reach the Veterans Crisis Line by calling 988 and selecting 1, or texting 838255.

The VA reports that veterans completed more than 11 million telehealth appointments in fiscal year 2023, which makes VA Video Connect one of the largest telehealth systems in the country by volume. For veterans living far from a VA medical center, or juggling work and family around clinic hours, that access is not a minor improvement. It is often the difference between staying in care and dropping out. Veterans have more options than most people realize: VA Video Connect for primary care, mental health, and specialty visits; the Community Care program for approved outside providers; Vet Centers for readjustment counseling; and specialty programs for PTSD, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, and substance use. Eligibility and copay rules vary by service-connected status and enrollment priority group. The sections ahead cover how VA telehealth actually works, how Community Care referrals fit in, and where private options might pair with it, including PTSD care and substance use treatment.

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Where this veterans and military guide stops

Read this veterans and military guide for education only. It is not medical advice. VA policies and programs change: always verify current information with the VA directly. Eligibility for VA services depends on your specific situation.

If you are a veteran in crisis, the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7: call 988 (then press 1), text 838255, or chat at veteranscrisisline.net.

VA Telehealth Services

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers a wide range of telehealth options for enrolled veterans:

VA Video Connect

VA Video Connect allows you to have face-to-face appointments with your VA providers from anywhere.

My HealtheVet

The VA's patient portal provides:

VA Health Chat

Remote Patient Monitoring

For veterans with chronic conditions, the VA offers home monitoring programs:

Mental Health Telehealth for Veterans

Mental health care is a major focus of VA telehealth services:

Services Available via Telehealth

Getting Started with VA Mental Health

  1. Contact your VA facility's mental health clinic
  2. Call the VA's general information line: 1-800-827-1000
  3. Walk into any VA medical center
  4. Use My HealtheVet to request an appointment
  5. If you're new to VA, apply for VA healthcare at va.gov/health-care/apply

Vet Centers

Vet Centers offer readjustment counseling to combat veterans, and many now offer telehealth:

How to Access VA Telehealth

Step 1: Enroll in VA Healthcare

If you're not already enrolled:

Step 2: Set Up Technology

Step 3: Request a Telehealth Appointment

Technical Support

If you need help with VA telehealth technology:

Programs for Specific Needs

PTSD and Trauma

For more on evidence-based approaches, see our guide to PTSD treatment through telehealth.

Substance Use

Women Veterans

Rural Veterans

Resources Outside the VA

Veterans can also access care outside the VA system:

Community Care (VA-Paid Non-VA Care)

In some cases, the VA may authorize care from community providers:

TRICARE (Active Duty and Families)

Active duty service members and their families can access telehealth through TRICARE. For more on handling costs, see our guide to understanding telehealth costs.

Private Telehealth Options

Veterans may also use private telehealth platforms, including online psychiatry services:

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Veteran-Specific Organizations

VA Mobile Apps

The VA offers free apps to support your health:

Family and Caregiver Support

VA services extend to families and caregivers:

Crisis Resources

If you or a veteran you know is in crisis:

The Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 and serves all veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their families.

Frequently asked questions

How do I access VA telehealth services?

First, enroll in VA healthcare at va.gov/health-care/apply or by calling 1-877-222-VETS. Then download the VA Video Connect app on your phone or tablet, or use a computer with a webcam. You can request telehealth appointments through My HealtheVet secure messaging or by calling your VA clinic directly.

Does the VA offer telehealth for PTSD and mental health treatment?

Yes, the VA provides mental health telehealth services including individual therapy for PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as group therapy, psychiatry, and evidence-based trauma treatments like CPT, PE, and EMDR. The VA also offers free mobile apps like PTSD Coach to supplement your care.

Can I use VA telehealth if I live in a rural area?

Absolutely. VA telehealth is specifically designed to reach veterans in rural and remote areas. The VA's Office of Rural Health offers special programs, and some veterans without technology access may be eligible for VA-provided tablets. Community-based outpatient clinics also offer telehealth kiosks in many locations.

What is the Veterans Crisis Line and how do I reach it?

The Veterans Crisis Line provides 24/7 confidential support for veterans, service members, and their families. Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online at veteranscrisisline.net. You don't need to be enrolled in VA healthcare to use this free service.

Can my family members access VA telehealth services?

Yes, the VA offers family therapy via telehealth, and family members can participate in your sessions with your permission. The Caregiver Support Program provides virtual resources for those caring for veterans, and Vet Centers offer counseling services to combat veterans' families. Family members can call the Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274.

Are there telehealth options for veterans outside the VA system?

Yes, veterans can access private telehealth platforms, and the VA may authorize Community Care with non-VA providers in certain situations. Active duty members and families can use TRICARE-covered telehealth services. Organizations like the Cohen Veterans Network and Headstrong Project also offer free mental health services to post-9/11 veterans.

More on veterans and military and related topics

Before you act on this veterans and military information

Treat this veterans and military guide as general background information only. It is not medical advice. VA programs and eligibility requirements change: always verify current information with the VA.

If you are in crisis, contact the Veterans Crisis Line immediately: call 988 (press 1), text 838255, or chat at veteranscrisisline.net. You have served; now let others serve you.

Sources

About the editor of this veterans and military guide

The writer and editor of this veterans and military guide is Paul Paradis, founder and editor of Telehealth Navigator, who worked for more than two years inside a forensic mental health hospital setting and has seen mental health run through his own life and family. He works by reading the source material most readers don’t have time to read, namely SAMHSA program documents, CMS telehealth policy, and APA and NIMH guidance, which he translates into plain English with links to the originals so readers can check the work for themselves. Nothing on this veterans and military page is medical advice, because Paul is not a licensed clinician, and our editorial standards explain in full how each guide is researched, reviewed, and updated.