All patients and visitors must continue to wear masks and will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms prior to entering. Guests will be asked to observe social distancing at all VA Nebraska-Health Care System facilities.

Visiting hours are based on the needs of the patient. Visitors are encouraged to discuss any special visiting needs with the unit's head nurse. Whenever possible and medically appropriate, the nurse will coordinate special visiting arrangements to meet patient and family needs.

We support a patient-centered medical home model that encourages family and friends to visit during the patient's stay. Consequently, we do not restrict visiting hours, except in the mental health care areas.

Medical, Surgical and Intensive Care:  Open visiting hours
Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program:  Weekdays 7 to 8 p.m.
Substance Abuse Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program:  Sundays 3 to 5 p.m. Call 402-995-4301 for holiday visiting hours. 

If you are unable to visit a patient personally, you may call the patient or send a card or gift.

Number of Visitors

Visitors may be limited because of special circumstances that may arise. If you have any questions, please talk to the patient's nurse or care provider.

Food and Beverages

Visitors may not bring food or beverages to patients without authorization from unit physicians or nurses.

Children

Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Clergy

Members of the clergy are welcome to visit patients who are members of their particular religious group at any time at the discretion of the unit physicians or nurses.

Locations

NWI Health Care System serves Veterans in Nebraska, western Iowa, and portions of Kansas and Missouri.  In addition to our medical center in Omaha, we offer a number of services to our patients in six community-based outpatient clinics.

Waiting Areas

For your convenience and safety, we have special waiting areas throughout the facility. Please do not gather in the hallways or at the nurses' stations. You may also want to review our Visiting Hours and Policies.

We have volunteers who work in the Intensive Care waiting areas at specific times. Please check in, and give the volunteer the patient's name. If you leave the waiting area at any time, please let the volunteer know, in case we need to contact you.

Security

VAMC Omaha has a Police Service. Our officers provide 24-hour patrols of the facility and parking lots. For general police assistance, please dial 5595. In case of an emergency, dial 3333. Report all suspicious or criminal activity, vehicle accidents, and personal property losses to the VA Police while on the facility grounds as soon as possible.

Because the VA Medical Center is federal property, all persons and bags are subject to search. In addition, no weapons, alcohol, or illegal drugs are permitted.

Lost and Found

Lost and Found is located in room F523 on the 5th floor of the Bed Tower. You may also contact them at extension 5255.

Click here for Google Maps to the Omaha VAMC campus.

Nebraska Public Transit

Local Transit

Cost: Free

Wheelchair availability: Omaha VA Medical Center campus has wheelchairs upon arrival for patients who need them to access the building.

Van services for Veterans

DAV vans

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.

Non-DAV van services

Many localities in the region provide other van services to Veterans.

Learn more about DAV and the other van services available in your county

Local transit services

Nebraska Public Transit

Local Transit

Other services

Paratransit service (p.r.n. Health Service): Coming Soon!

Beneficiary travel

Beneficiary travel benefits include round-trip transportation from your home to the medical center, mileage reimbursement, or special mode transport. 

Find out if you qualify for beneficiary travel benefits

Find out how to make, cancel, or reschedule a primary care, mental health, or specialty care appointment at a VA Nebraska-Western Iowa health care facility.

Learn more about making an appointment

The Omaha Fisher House features 16 fully-furnished suites and serves as a “home away from home” for the families of Veterans or military service members receiving treatment at the Omaha VA Medical Center. The facility also features a large kitchen and dining area, an elevator and a full laundry. The Omaha Fisher House enables family members to be close to their loved one during a hospitalization by providing comfortable, cost free lodging, in a relaxed setting that is only a short walk away from the hospital. 

Learn more about the Omaha Fisher House

A nondenominational chapel is located on the first floor of the main hospital building. Protestant Worship Services and Catholic Mass are held on a regular basis. Please contact Chaplain Service at 402-346-8800, extension 3127 or 3128 for additional information or to speak with one of our Chaplains.

The VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System is a smoke-free campus.  Smoking cessation assistance,  including nicotine replacement,  is available for inpatients and outpatients.  For more information, please ask your provider for smoking cessation resources.

Patriot Café

Visitors are welcome to eat in the medical center cafeteria, located on the third floor of the Omaha VAMC. We offer hot and cold entrees, beverages, and desserts. Vending machines are available for your convenience 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  The cafe hours are Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Patriot Brew Coffee Shop

Our Patriot Brew Coffee Shop serving Starbuck’s beverages is located on the main floor at the entrance to the Ambulatory Care Center from the Omaha VAMC. Visitors may select from a variety of pastries, light sandwiches, and beverages. Hours are Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Guest Meal Tickets

Guest meal tickets are available for purchase in the Patriot Express vending machines located in the Patriot Café and also in the Community Living Center (CLC). Visitors wishing to dine with an inpatient may purchase a guest meal ticket, and a hot meal will be delivered along with the patient's tray at meal time.

Patriot Store

We offer a full-service retail store with such products as electronics, cosmetics, toiletries, clothing, and snacks. Items may be purchased tax-free. The retail store is open to patients, staff, and caregivers, and is located on the third floor of the main hospital building, across from the Patriot Café.  Hours are Monday to Friday - 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday - 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday - 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

RESOURCES

VA Canteen Service (VCS)

VCS Sales & Promotions

Patriot Store Direct

ShopVCS.com

Find out how to refill your prescriptions, where to pick up new prescription orders, and how to safely dispose of your medicines at a VA Nebraska-Western Iowa health care facility.

Learn more about our Pharmacy Services.

All Veterans are encouraged to enroll in the VA Health Care System. To begin the process, please complete an Application for Health Care Benefits. You can submit the form online, or you may print the form and mail it to us at the following location:

Omaha VA Medical Center
Eligibility/Patient Registration
4101 Woolworth Ave.
Omaha, NE   68105

You can also bring the form to the Eligibility and Patient Registration Office at one of the VA NWIHCS facilities. 

Eligibility and Patient Registration Office locations:

Omaha:  the lobby of the main entrance.
Lincoln:  Building 45, Room 005
Grand Island:  Room N116

Whether mailing or bringing your application, please include the following items —

• A copy of both sides of your current insurance card (including Medicare or Medicaid)
• A copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, (Purple Heart recipients only) a copy of your award letter if "Purple Heart" is not noted on your DD-214

To speak to someone in our eligibility office, please call

Omaha:   402-995-4050
Toll free: 1-800-451-5796 then dial 9-4050.