Where you'll go for care 
When you sign up for VA health care , you become part of the country s largest integrated health care system with more than 1,200 care locations serving nearly 9 million Veterans each year. Learn more about where you ll get care. 

Where do I go for care? 
You ll receive regular care at one VA location of your choice. If you need specialized medical treatments and services , we may refer you to other locations as well. Your health care team will use our electronic medical record system to coordinate your care no matter where you are. Care settings may include : VA medical centers. These centers offer a range of services : All centers provide traditional hospital - based services like surgery, critical care, mental health, and physical therapy. Most centers provide medical and surgical specialty services like oncology cancer care, geriatrics elder care, and neurology care for conditions of the brain and nervous system. Some medical centers also offer advanced services like organ transplants and plastic surgery reconstructing or repairing parts of the body in the treatment of traumatic injury. Find a medical center near you VA community - based outpatient clinics CBOCs. These clinics provide the most common outpatient services like health and wellness visits so you can take care of routine appointments in a more convenient location. We keep expanding our network of CBOCs to more rural locations so we can help you access care closer to home. Find a clinic near you Vet Centers. These centers provide community - based counseling, outreach, and referral services to Veterans who served in a combat zone as well as to their families. Mobile Vet Centers also help bring care to more rural locations. Learn more about Vet Centers Find a Vet Center near you VA Community Living Centers and other assisted living or residential live - in settings. These places provide support for Veterans who need more intense nursing care and help with everyday tasks lik

user: you can help me by telling me where someone in the middle of nowhere can go for medical care

assistant: You can get care at a VA outpatient clinic or a mobile Vet Center

assistant: are you far from a VA medical center?

user: no, not me I live near a hospital

user: how do I get more information to help a vet friend who is far from a medical center and needs urgent help?

assistant: You should call the local VA medical centers enrollment coordinator

user: how can you help him if he is not near you people?

assistant: We may pay for emergency care in a non-VA setting. Contact the nearest VA medical center as soon as possible if he needs emergency care and ask to talk to the patient transfer or patient administration representative. Payment for emergency care in a non-VA setting ends when a VA provider concludes that the Veteran is stable enough to be transferred to a VA medical center.

user: where does he go for small things like cuts and such?

assistant: He can use places that are part of our community provider network, but he will need to be enrolled in VA health care and have received care from us within the past 24 months

user: are vets covered for care outside of the US?

assistant: Yes, just sign-up for the Foreign Medical Program

user: didn't know that one.  and for my friend we just call 911 if it's an emergency and don't have time to look at the internet for help on what to do?

assistant: Yes, call 911 or go the nearest emergency room. You don't have to contact us in advance.