TELEHEALTH NAVIGATOR AI Calm AI guide for online help options

Veterans & Military Telehealth Options

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

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.

Important Disclaimer

This guide is for educational purposes 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 comprehensive 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 navigating costs, see our guide to understanding telehealth costs.

Private Telehealth Options

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

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.

Related Guides

Important Reminder

This guide provides general educational 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.

About the editor

Edited by Paul Paradis. Paul started Telehealth Navigator after more than two years working in a forensic mental health hospital and watching close family members move through their own mental health struggles. His job here is to read the primary sources — APA and American Psychiatric Association practice guidelines, NIH and NIMH patient materials, SAMHSA program documents, CMS telehealth policy — and rewrite them so a reader with no clinical background can actually use them. Paul is not a clinician; this guide is educational, not medical advice. The editorial standards page details how the library is researched and updated.