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When a Veteran has an urgent medical question, the Houston VA Clinical Contact Center (CCC) is available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Call 713-794-8985 to speak with a registered nurse

who will triage your symptoms and provide health advice. “If they have any medical concerns that need to be addressed immediately, we have staff on call 24/7, even on holidays,” said Denise

Ryals, chief of the CCC. “Based on the assessment, the Veteran will be scheduled for a virtual care visit appointment the same day and be seen by one of our Nurse Practitioners.” While the

service does not replace the Veteran’s in-person primary care team, it can often help the Veteran avoid an unnecessary trip to the ER or urgent care clinic. “Our virtual visits allow the

Veteran to be seen from the comfort of their home and can often prevent the Veteran from being exposed to sickness or diseases in the ER,” said Denise Davis, CCC Nurse Manager. “Our nurses

go above and beyond to get the Veteran the right level of care, when they need it.” In addition to clinical triage and virtual care visits, Veterans can speak with medical support assistants

24/7 to make, reschedule, confirm, and cancel appointments and receive information and support regarding VA services. Pharmacy staff are available Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for

support with medication-related matters. This includes medication questions, order details/processing, medication refills, renewals, and reconciliation, and filling and coordinating

prescriptions received in the community. “We aim to take care of the Veteran’s needs in that first phone call,” said Ryals. In addition to calling 713-794-8985 to reach the clinical contact

center, Veterans can also call the main Houston VA phone number at 713-791-1414 and selecting the appropriate phone tree option.