Our hospital provides primary care and specialty health services, including bariatric surgery, mental health care, palliative and hospice care, suicide prevention, women’s health care, and more. Below, you’ll find our address and hours, parking and transportation information, and the other health services we offer at Washington DC VA Medical Center.
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Cost: Free
Wheelchair availability: Wheelchairs are available upon arrival for patients who need them to access the building.
Valet Services: On-site valet service is available at the main entrance of the medical center for Veterans with appointments, 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday - Friday.
Satellite Parking Lot Shuttle
Shuttle service is available Monday through Friday to transport Veterans and staff to and from the Armed Forces Retirement Home Satellite Parking Lot, Columbia Heights and Brookland Metro Stations for Veterans who have appointments at the main medical center.
Main Campus Armed Forces Retirement Home Satellite Parking Lot Schedule: https://bit.ly/3Ht18HN
Metro Station Shuttles
Brookland Metro Shuttle Schedule: https://bit.ly/4bapOlE
Columbia Heights Metro Shuttle Schedule: https://bit.ly/3vOm4X7
Hours: Individual van schedules vary
We work with Disabled American Veterans and county Veterans Affairs directors to provide transportation for Veterans and authorized caregivers to get to scheduled medical appointments.
Many localities in the region provide other van services to Veterans.
Beneficiary travel benefits include round-trip transportation from your home to the medical center, mileage reimbursement, or special mode transport.
Masks are required for Veterans, staff, and visitors in the following areas:
Masks must be worn everywhere if:
Ask and we will mask - Veterans or caregivers may request that employees wear a mask while seeing them.
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Talk with an advice nurse if you have questions about your care or for help in deciding whether you need an urgent or routine appointment.
Visit our office, by appointment only
A referral is not required
Contact us to schedule, reschedule, or cancel your appointment. If a referral is required, you’ll need to contact your primary care provider first.
The registered nurses on our Nurse Advice Line provide you and your family with helpful medical advice and free, confidential answers to many of your health care questions. To speak to a nurse on our Nurse Advice Line, call . In addition, our nurses can:
To make a primary care appointment with your VA health care provider, dial .
The anesthesia service works to keep you comfortable, safe and pain-free during surgical or screening procedures.
Our specially trained doctors, called anesthesiologists and certified nurses, called Nurse Anesthetists, can help with your care before, during, and after surgery. They will develop a plan for your care and safety, provide medicine to keep you comfortable during your operation, and help you manage your pain after surgery. Our services include:
Common conditions: tinnitus, vertigo, hearing loss, vestibular conditions, swallowing conditions
We diagnose and treat conditions affecting your hearing, speech or balance. These include hearing loss, tinnitus (noise or ringing the ears) & dizziness—also speech, language, voice or swallowing disorders.
Visit our office, with or without an appointment
Speech and specialized audiology appointments require referrals. Walk-in hearing aid assistance is available daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call to schedule all other appointments at this clinic.
Our Audiology and Speech Pathology clinic provides diagnostic and rehabilitative services, VA compensation and pension examinations, and screening for employee hearing conservation. We offer a full range of audiology and speech pathology services like:
To reach the Audiology and Speech clinic, call .
Common conditions: coronavirus, COVID-19
We offer COVID-19 vaccines to all Veterans enrolled in VA health care. This includes Veterans who live or travel outside of the U.S. and are eligible for the VA Foreign Medical Program.
Visit our office, by appointment only
A referral is not required
COVID-19 vaccine appointments are available at your primary care clinic. A primary care clinic will be assigned if you do not already have one. Call option 2, to schedule an appointment.
If you are caring for a Veteran with serious illness or disabilities, we can help you support them—and take care of yourself. You may qualify for services like training, counseling or respite care when you need a break.
Visit our office, with or without an appointment
A referral is required
Contact us to schedule, reschedule, or cancel your appointment. If a referral is required, you’ll need to contact your primary care provider first.
The service hours are the same as our facility hours.
If you’re a caregiver for a Veteran, a dedicated team of caregiver support coordinators are ready to listen and provide support to help you overcome challenges. Caregiver support coordinators can help to connect you with:
If the Veteran you care for was injured post-9/11, you may be eligible for additional services, including a stipend to help with expenses, training, and medical coverage if you aren’t already covered.
To connect with a caregiver support coordinator, call 202-745-8000, ext. 55926.
Click here to learn how caregiver support coordinators can help you care for Veterans.
In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest VA or non-VA emergency department. We provide immediate treatment for serious, life-threatening health emergencies such as severe chest pain, seizures, heavy uncontrollable bleeding or moderate to severe burns.
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A referral is not required
We provide emergency medical care 24 hours a day, every day. Our emergency room staff can help you with:
The emergency department is located in the Washington DC VA Medical Center main building. To contact the emergency room, call: .
Common conditions: acid reflux, fatty liver, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhea, and cancer screening
Our gastrointestinal (GI) specialists offer treatment and procedures (endoscopy, colonoscopy) for conditions affecting your GI tract, gallbladder, liver and pancreas, including acid reflux, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, irritable bowel syndrome, and pancreatitis.
Visit our office, with or without an appointment
A referral is required
Contact us to schedule, reschedule, or cancel your appointment. If a referral is required, you’ll need to contact your primary care provider first.
The service hours are the same as our facility hours.
We diagnose and treat medical conditions in your esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, and other parts of your digestive system. We can also test and treat other organs, like your liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. Our gastroenterology department provides services like:
Gastroenterology service is located on floor 3A, room 166A. Hours of operations are Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To reach Gastroenterology, dial .
Common conditions: memory problems, sleep problems, falls, bone loss, weight loss
As you age, we offer a range of medical and support services to help you stay as healthy, active and independent as possible. We also offer help to family members and caregivers who may support you.
Visit our office, with or without an appointment
A referral is required
Contact us to schedule, reschedule, or cancel your appointment. If a referral is required, you’ll need to contact your primary care provider first.
We assess your situation and condition to decide which outpatient geriatric services are right for you or a senior Veteran in your care, and then we coordinate your care. Our team of specialists provides geriatric services that include:
To speak with the Geriatrics Service, call or ext. 52399.
We also offer short and long-term geriatric care at our on-campus Community Living Center. The CLC is a place where Veterans can receive nursing home level of care, which includes help with activities of daily living and skilled nursing and medical care. To speak with someone from the CLC, call the Freedom Way East front desk at or Freedom Way West front desk at .
Our specialists offer reproductive health care services for women Veterans, including contraception, pregnancy care and fertility treatment.
Visit our office, by appointment only
A referral is not required
Contact us to schedule, reschedule, or cancel your appointment. If a referral is required, you’ll need to contact your primary care provider first.
Our gynecologists focus on the female reproductive system and provide services that include:
To schedule an appointment with gynecology, call .
If you have a diagnosis of anemia, lymphoma, leukemia or another blood cancer or disorder, we support you with expert care and treatment.
Visit our office, with or without an appointment
A referral is required
Contact us to schedule, reschedule, or cancel your appointment. If a referral is required, you’ll need to contact your primary care provider first.
The service hours are the same as our facility hours.
We offer a range of hematology and oncology services. You can arrange appointments and consultation through your primary care provider. Our hematology and oncology services include:
Oncology service is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is located in the main medical center, second floor, C wing. To speak with someone from Oncology, call or .
If you’re homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, we can help. We offer many programs and services, including free health care. And we can help you connect with resources in your community.
Visit our office, with or without an appointment
A referral is required
Contact us to schedule, reschedule, or cancel your appointment. If a referral is required, you’ll need to contact your primary care provider first.
The service hours are the same as our facility hours.
We help Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless due to financial hardship, unemployment, addiction, depression, or transition from jail. Contact one of our care coordinators to get help with:
Visit our office, by appointment only
A referral is not required
The Section of Hospital Medicine consists of 15 talented and collegial physicians who each play a role in creating our unique section.
The service hours are the same as our facility hours.
Visit our office, by appointment only
A referral is not required
The Section of Hospital Medicine consists of 15 talented and collegial physicians who each play a role in creating our unique section.
The service hours are the same as our facility hours.
Special doctors called “hospitalists” oversee your care when you are admitted to the hospital for an illness or injury, or after you have surgery. Our hospitalists provide a range of services, like:
If you're a Veteran who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, or a related identity, we’re committed to serving your needs. The LGBTQ+ Veteran care coordinator at your VA health care facility can help you get the care you need in a safe, sensitive environment.
Visit our office, with or without an appointment
A referral is required
Contact us to schedule, reschedule, or cancel your appointment. If a referral is required, you’ll need to contact your primary care provider first.
The service hours are the same as our facility hours.
We promote the health, welfare, and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Veterans and their families. We focus on ensuring a safe, welcoming, and affirmative environment when providing you with sensitive and high-quality health care services like:
We offer blood tests and other advanced testing services to help you and your VA health care team monitor your health, find and understand any health problems and make informed treatment decisions.
A referral is required
Contact us to schedule, reschedule, or cancel your appointment. If a referral is required, you’ll need to contact your primary care provider first.
Our laboratories provide a full range of clinical and diagnostic testing services. Our laboratory and pathology services include:
Common conditions: addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, OCD
If you’re struggling with issues like PTSD, depression, grief, anger or trauma, we offer counseling and other support. All VA health care facilities offer same-day help. You may qualify even without enrolling in VA health care.
Visit our office, with or without an appointment
A referral is required
Contact us to schedule, reschedule, or cancel your appointment. If a referral is required, you’ll need to contact your primary care provider first.
The service hours are the same as our facility hours.
Our medical center and clinics provide consultation, evaluation, and treatment for a range of issues that may impact your mental health or emotional well-being. Our confidential outpatient services include individual and group therapy for:
To speak with Mental Health Service, call 202-745-8000, ext. 52367, or ext. 58156.
To reach the Veteran's Crisis Line, dial 988 and press 1 to speak with a trained professional.
We offer resources and support for minority Veterans to help address your specific needs with benefits and services at VA.
Visit our office, with or without an appointment
A referral is required
Contact us to schedule, reschedule, or cancel your appointment. If a referral is required, you’ll need to contact your primary care provider first.
The service hours are the same as our facility hours.
If you’re a minority Veteran, we can help you get the services and benefits you need. Our Minority Veterans Program serves all Veterans who are Black American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and Native American (including American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Island Americans). We work to:
Our nutrition experts work closely with you and your care team to help make sure you’re getting the nutrition you need to get and stay as healthy as possible.
Visit our office, with or without an appointment
A referral is required
Contact us to schedule, reschedule, or cancel your appointment. If a referral is required, you’ll need to contact your primary care provider first.
The service hours are the same as our facility hours.
Our registered dietitians can help you maintain or improve your health with good nutrition tailored to your needs. Through group, individual, and telehealth sessions, we provide nutrition education and counseling in areas such as:
Palliative care focuses on comfort, quality of life and reducing suffering. Hospice care is a type of palliative care offered to patients with life-threatening illness under certain conditions.
Visit our office, with or without an appointment
A referral is required
Contact us to schedule, reschedule, or cancel your appointment. If a referral is required, you’ll need to contact your primary care provider first.
The service hours are the same as our facility hours.
Our palliative and hospice care services support you and your family as you cope with a life-threatening or terminal illness. Palliative care works to provide comfort, reduce suffering, and improve the quality of life for patients being treated for serious illnesses. Hospice care focuses on helping patients with terminal illnesses to manage the final stages of their lives. Our palliative and hospice care services include:
VA wants to make sure that you get the best possible care. If you need help finding care or getting problems resolved, please contact a patient advocate.
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A referral is not required
Our patient advocates work hard to make sure you receive the best possible care at our health care facilities. They can:
To speak with a patient advocate at the Washington DC VA Medical Center or a Community Based Outpatient Clinic, call 202-745-8588.
Click here to learn more about patient advocacy at Washington DC VA Medical Center.
Our specialists provide a full range of services to help you get and understand your prescription medicines and supplies. You can refill VA prescriptions online, by phone or by mail.
Visit our office, with or without an appointment
Contact us to schedule, reschedule, or cancel your appointment. If a referral is required, you’ll need to contact your primary care provider first.
Our pharmacy makes it easy to get medications and medical supplies. Here you can:
In order to focus on providing care for Veterans with urgent needs or new prescriptions, the pharmacy does not refill prescriptions in person. For instructions on how to refill a prescription by phone, mail or online, click here.
To speak to a pharmacy representative, call .
Common conditions: pain, stroke, brain injury, neuromuscular disorders, musculoskeletal problems, sports injuries, spinal cord injuries
If you’re living with a traumatic brain injury, amputation or other disability, our specialists offer support to help you improve your independence and quality of life, manage pain and stay healthy.
Visit our office, with or without an appointment
A referral is required
Closed 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Visit our office, with or without an appointment
A referral is required
Visit our office, with or without an appointment
A referral is required
CLC Rehab: Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. to 4:00 p.m./ Inpatient Acute Rehab: Physical and Occupational therapy services are offered on Saturdays and Sundays for acute care needs only. Consults are completed within 24 hours.
Our physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors and therapists focus on whole-body health. They can help you manage your pain, increase your independence, and improve your quality of life with services like:
Physiatry
Rehabilitation Medicine services are performed by board certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation medical doctors, also called physiatrists. The physiatrist evaluates, treats, and coordinates rehabilitation care with the goal of maximizing function
Amputee Clinic
All veterans with major amputations should be referred to Rehabilitation Medicine for education, assessment and training. Veterans are evaluated in this clinic by a team of rehabilitation and prosthetic providers to determine the rehabilitation plan and artificial limb prescription when appropriate. Appointments can be made by a consult or through direct scheduling by calling option #2.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy provides evidence-based care. Physical therapists examine each individual and develop a treatment plan. Evidence-based services are used to decrease disability, reduce pain, improve function and independence, prevent illness, promote wellness and restore quality of life. The service is available by consultation.
Kinesiotherapy (KT)
Kinesiotherapy is the application of scientifically based exercise principles adapted to enhance the strength, endurance, and mobility of individuals with functional limitations or those requiring extended physical conditioning. Available by consultation to Outpatient Therapy.
Occupational Therapy
The core purpose of Occupational Therapy is the evaluation and assessment of a patient's ability to perform self care and daily life tasks. This include fine motor skills, cognitive training and more. Available by consultation request from provider.
Blind Rehabilitation
We offer a wide range of services for legally blind, low vision, and traumatic brain injured (TBI) Veterans. If you are experiencing problems performing daily living activities, please call the Vision Rehabilitation Team at . The clinic is located on the basement level, room GC-208/210
Chiropractic Services
VA doctors of chiropractic (DCs) provide diagnosis and management of non-operative neuromuscular and musculoskeletal conditions. This most commonly includes problems in the low back, neck, and other joints.
VA DCs provide diagnosis and management consistent with both VA and external evidence-based guidelines. Chiropractic treatment options include patient education, active rehabilitation, spinal manipulation and other manual therapies. VA DCs may also provide acupuncture or other novel therapies as non-pharmacologic options for Veteran care.
PM&R Specialty Clinics
Polytrauma Rehabilitation
Available for patients with injuries to multiple body parts or organ systems that can result in physical, cognitive, psychological, and/or psychosocial impairments and functional disabilities. TBI frequently occurs in polytrauma in combination with other disabling conditions. Available by consultation to Polytrauma, scheduling in room GC-210, .
Wheeled Mobility Clinic (ADD)
Available for patients requiring an assessment for a custom wheeled mobility device. An evaluation is performed by a therapist or team of providers to determine equipment needs and plan of care. Available by consultation to Wheeled Mobility Clinic or by calling option #2 to make an appointment through direct scheduling.
Driver Rehabilitation
Available for patients requiring drivers assessment and rehabilitation due to a physical or cognitive impairment. This includes simulated driving assessment and training on the road with adapted vehicles. Available by consultation to Drivers Rehab.
Hours:
Outpatient rehabilitation clinics are open Monday- Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
An appointment is required.
Walk-in visits are available for equipment training and pickup (an order from a provider is required for the item)
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.)
Inpatient Acute Rehab: Physical and Occupational therapy services are offered Monday- Friday from 7:00am- 4:30pm. On Saturdays and Sundays limited therapy is provided between 8:00am- 4:00pm. Consults are required and are received within 24 hours.
Community Living Center (CLC) Rehab: Therapy services are offered to sub-acute rehabilitation, long-term care and hospice residents of the CLC through consultation from medical providers. Physical therapy, Occupational therapy and Kinesiotherapy are offered by appointment only, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays, 8:00 am. to 4:30 p.m.
Physical therapy is also offered at the following CBOC sites:
Consults and appointments are required for physical therapy at a CBOC. Please refer to the Washington DC VA Medical Center website for CBOC hours.
NOTE: There is no Physical Medicine coverage (inpatient or outpatient) on Federal Holidays.
To speak with a PM&R Clinic, call and use the following options:
Option #1- Main phone line for scheduling or reaching Physical & Occupational therapy, Kinesiotherapy, Physiatry, Chiropractic and Polytrauma services.
Option #2- Wheeled Mobility and Amputation clinic requests
Option #5- VISOR Blind Rehabilitation
Option #9- Cancellation and re-scheduling requests
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation service is located in the medical center basement, floor GC, room 210. Dial to contact this service.
If you’re struggling with a mental health problem—or just need to talk with someone—we can help. We offer treatment and support such as therapy, alternative treatments and medications when needed.
Visit our office, with or without an appointment
A referral is required
Contact us to schedule, reschedule, or cancel your appointment. If a referral is required, you’ll need to contact your primary care provider first.
The service hours are the same as our facility hours.
Our psychology teams offer consultation, evaluation, and treatment to help with a range of mental and behavioral health problems like:
We provide medical care and rehabilitation services to Veterans in our Community Living Center and in their homes. Services include home-based primary care, medical foster home support, and hospice and palliative care.
Visit our office, with or without an appointment
A referral is required
Contact us to schedule, reschedule, or cancel your appointment. If a referral is required, you’ll need to contact your primary care provider first.
The service hours are the same as our facility hours.
We provide long-term care to help you and your family when you’re dealing with a disability, chronic (long-lasting) illness, terminal illness, or serious health issues related to aging. Our long-term health care services include:
If you’re returning from military service, we can help you readjust to civilian life and get started with VA health care. We can also help connect you with programs like mental health services and education and career counseling.
Visit our office, with or without an appointment
A referral is required
Contact us to schedule, reschedule, or cancel your appointment. If a referral is required, you’ll need to contact your primary care provider first.
The service hours are the same as our facility hours.
We can help you readjust to civilian life if you’re returning from military service, on active duty, or an activated National Guard or Reserve member. Talk to one of our care coordinators about how to best use your health care benefits.
Call our Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and press 1 for free, private help anytime 24/7. Our local suicide prevention coordinators can also connect you with ongoing counseling and services.
Visit our office, with or without an appointment
A referral is required
Contact us to schedule, reschedule, or cancel your appointment. If a referral is required, you’ll need to contact your primary care provider first.
