Skip to content

March 14, 2024

VA Urgent Care Benefits Explained [2024]

I hope you enjoy reading this blog post.

If you want to learn how to implement these strategies to get the VA benefits you deserve, click here to speak with a VA claim expert for free.


Looking for Expert-Level VA Claim Help?📱Call Us Now! 281-533-6777

Did you know many Veterans are eligible for free VA urgent care benefits at over 4,000 VA-approved urgent care locations nationwide?

Yep, it’s true.

This article will explain everything you need to know about VA urgent are facilities as well as how to find VA-approved urgent care facilities near you.

Let’s begin!

What is VA Urgent Care?

VA urgent care refers to a benefit that allows Veterans enrolled in VA health care to use over 4,000 urgent care locations nationwide.

This service aims to treat non-life-threatening conditions quickly and efficiently, bridging the gap between primary care and emergency room visits.

Whether it’s a sprain, a mild burn, or symptoms of an infection, VA urgent care facilities are equipped to handle a variety of medical needs promptly.

Here are some examples of covered services:

  • Care for 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

Am I Eligible for Free VA Urgent Care?

Eligibility for VA urgent care services are as follows:

  • You must be a Veteran enrolled in VA health care.
  • You must have received care at a VA or in-network provider within the past 24 months.

To check your eligibility, call 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411) (TTY: 711), select option 1, then option 3, then option 1.

Note: Family members can’t use your VA urgent care benefits.

How Do I Use VA Urgent Care Services?

  • Find a VA urgent care facility near you: Before seeking care, confirm that the provider is part of VA’s network. This information can be found by visiting VA.gov/find-locations.
  • Identification and Documentation: Always show your VA Health Identification Card upon arrival and fill out any necessary intake forms. If requested, show your urgent care assistance card to facilitate eligibility checks. Pro Tip: If you don’t have your VA I.D. card, just give them your social security number.
  • Inform the Provider: Clearly communicate that you wish to use your VA urgent care benefit. Providers should call the number on your urgent care assistance card to verify your eligibility.

What Services Does VA Urgent Care Cover?

VA urgent care includes a range of services, from treatment for minor injuries and illnesses to certain diagnostic tests and medications.

Importantly, Veterans should not pay any co-pay at the time of their visit.

Any applicable co-pays will be billed later, depending on factors like priority group and frequency of urgent care visits.

Key Points to Remember

  • Emergency Situations: If you’re facing a medical emergency, head straight to the nearest emergency room. VA approval is not needed in emergency situations.
  • Prescriptions: Up to a 14-day supply of medications can be covered by VA if filled at an in-network community pharmacy.
  • Travel Reimbursement: Eligible Veterans can receive reimbursement for travel expenses to non-VA urgent care locations under certain conditions.

VA Urgent Care Services: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

#1. Should I pay a co-pay at a non-VA urgent care clinic?

No.

Don’t pay anything at the time of your visit.

If you have a copay, the VA will send you a bill.

Co-pays for urgent care are $30 in some cases.

However, it depends on factors like your priority group and how many times you go to urgent care in a year.

Learn more about VA urgent care co-pays

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

Yes, the VA will 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

#3. Can I be reimbursed for travel costs to a non-VA urgent care?

Yes, the VA will pay you back for the cost of travel if both descriptions are true:

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

Note: The VA will pay for only one-way (not round-trip) travel costs for unscheduled care. 

Learn about VA travel pay reimbursement

#4. Can I use VA-approved urgent care as my primary care provider?

No.

Urgent care is not 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.

#5. 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.

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?

Call 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411).

[Download] the Official VA Urgent Care Fact Sheet

About the Author

Brian Reese
Brian Reese

Brian Reese

Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.

A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.

Related Articles

Elite Membership

Dear Veteran,
Here’s the brutal truth about VA disability claims:

According to our data, 8/10 (80%) of veterans reading this message right now are underrated by the VA…

This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve, and you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free compensation and benefits each month.

As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and I’m on a mission to change it.

Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider.

Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time.

If accepted into our ELITE membership program, you’ll get free up-front access and permission to use $13,119 worth of proprietary VA claim resources, including access to our network of independent medical professionals for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible Medical Nexus Letters, which could help you get a HIGHER VA rating in LESS time.

It’s FREE to get started, so click “Go Elite Now” below to complete our 3-step intake process.

  1. Complete Basic Information
  2. Sign Members Agreement
  3. Join the Mastermind Group

If you’re stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you!

Click “Go Elite Now” below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes.

Go Elite Now!

Why Choose VA Claims Insider

You’ve exhausted your free resources

You're not alone. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you.

Veteran Community

You’re ready to get the rating you deserve

We know the pain of feeling stuck, frustrated, and alone, and we want to make this process as easy and painless as possible for you.

Explore Elite Membership

We win ONLY when YOU win

Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Veteran Ambassadors having gone through our programs.

Schedule a Call

Fellow Veterans:

For a limited time, you can book a no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts.

Book A Call

Fellow Veterans:

For a limited time, you can book a no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts.

Book A Call