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Make an appointment

Before you make an appointment

You can make an appointment with us if both of the below are true for you.

You're enrolled in VA health care, and
You're registered as a patient at VA Houston health care

If you're not yet enrolled in VA health care
Apply for VA health care

If you're not registered at VA Houston health care
Register for care here

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Primary care appointments

We offer primary care services at all 11 VA Houston health care facilities. You can make a primary care appointment online or by phone.

Make an appointment online

Make an appointment by phone

VA Health Connect
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Toll free: 800-639-5137, select 2
Direct: 713-794-8985, select 2

Telehealth-VA Video Connect

Telehealth-VA Video Connect connects Veterans with their health care team from anywhere, using encryption to ensure a secure and private session.

Learn more about telehealth

Mental health care appointments

If you're struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, anger, or other issues, we can help. We offer mental health (also called behavioral health) counseling, psychiatric care, and treatment for problems with alcohol and other substances.

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How do I talk to someone right now?

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Find out how to get support anytime, day or night.

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If you’re a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, connect with our caring, qualified Veterans Crisis Line responders for confidential help. Many of them are Veterans themselves. This service is private, free, and available 24/7.

To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:

Call 988.
Text 838255.
Start a confidential chat.
If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

You can also:

Call 911.
Go to the nearest emergency room.
Go directly to your nearest VA medical center. It doesn’t matter what your discharge status is or if you’re enrolled in VA health care.
Find your nearest VA medical center

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Health care benefits hub

For mental health care appointments

Call the Mental Health Clinic.

Phone: 713-794-8700

For drug or alcohol evaluation and treatment appointments

Call the Mental Health Appointment Center.

Phone: 713-794-8700
Toll Free: 800-639-5137

For walk-in mental health care

If you need help right away, or if you have a referral from another VA provider, one of our counselors will see you the same day. Same-day mental health and psychiatric help is available for both new and established patients.

Available at the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Mental Health Administrative Offices
6th Floor
2002 Holcombe Boulevard
Houston, TX 77030
Map of Houston campus
Phone: 713-794-7561
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT

For walk-in drug or alcohol evaluation and treatment

Same-day help is available through the Substance Disorders Treatment Program.

Available at the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Mental Health Clinic
2002 Holcombe Boulevard
Houston, TX 77030
Map of Houston campus
Phone: 713-794-7561
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT

Specialty care appointments

If you already have a primary care provider at VA Houston health care, you can make a direct appointment for the specialty services listed here. You don't need to get a referral or see your primary care provider first.

For specialty care services not listed here, please contact your primary care provider for a referral.

Preparing for your appointment

What should I bring to my appointment?

Please bring the following to your appointment:

Your Veteran Health ID Card (VHIC). If this is your first appointment, we can help you get your picture taken for your card.
Cards for any other types of health coverage you may have (like Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or private insurance plan).
Your appointment confirmation letter.
List of your current medications including prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and any herbal supplements.

Can I get a reminder before my appointment?

Yes, we’ll send you a reminder by phone about your appointment date, time, and location. If you have more than one appointment on the same day, you'll get a phone call for each appointment.

If you want to get reminders by text message

You'll need to sign up to opt in to this service. Visit the patient registration office at our Houston location. This service is free, but standard messaging rates from your mobile service provider may apply.

Once you sign up to receive text message reminders, you’ll no longer receive reminders by phone call.

If you have more than one appointment on the same day, you'll get one text reminder for all appointments. You can't cancel or reschedule appointments using our text message reminder service.

How do I cancel or reschedule my appointment?

Please call the clinic where your appointment is scheduled, so we can give the appointment time to another Veteran.

For appointments at Houston: 713-794-8985
For mental health (behavioral health) appointments: 713-794-8700
For appointments at any of our outpatient clinics: Call the clinic where you scheduled the appointment.

If you miss your appointment without letting the clinic know ahead of time, we'll consider you a "no show" and you'll need to reschedule your appointment.

You can also cancel some appointments online.

What if I'm going to be late for my appointment?

Please call us as soon as you can. If you arrive more than 20 minutes late without calling ahead of time, we may have to reschedule your appointment.

For appointments at Houston: 713-797-8985
For mental health (behavioral health) appointments: 713-794-8700
For appointments at any of our outpatient clinic: Call the clinic where you scheduled the appointment.