The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides low-cost or free health care for eligible Veterans, including medical, mental health, and surgical care, at VA hospitals, community-based clinics, and facilities across the country.

Veterans who served on active duty in a theatre of combat after November 1, 1998 are eligible for free VA health care for services related to their military service for 5 years from the date of discharge from the military. Copays may apply for services not related to military service during this time. For all other eligible Veterans, VA health care is low-cost or free, depending upon time in the service and income.

VA health care meets the requirements for health care coverage as required by the Affordable Care Act (Health Care Law).

The San Francisco VA Health Care System provides comprehensive health care at the medical center in San Francisco and community-based clinics in San Bruno, Downtown San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Clearlake, Ukiah, and Eureka. To enroll in the San Francisco VA Health Care System, please call the Member Services office at the San Bruno outpatient clinic, at (650) 615-6012.

San Francisco VA Medical Center
4150 Clement Street 
San Francisco, CA 94121 
(415) 221-4810 | (877) 487-2838 
http://www.sanfrancisco.va.gov/

San Bruno Outpatient Clinic
1001 Sneath Lane Suite 300
San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 615-6001

Downtown San Francisco Outpatient Clinic
401 3rd Street
San Francisco, CA 94017
(415) 281-5100

The Palo Alto VA Health Care System provides comprehensive health care at three inpatient facilities in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and Livermore, as well as outpatient community-based clinics in Fremont, San Jose, Capitola, Stockton, Modesto, Monterey, and Sonora. To enroll for health care in the Palo Alto VA Health Care System, please call the Palo Alto Admissions and Eligibility Office at (650) 493-5000, Ext. 66266.

VA Palo Alto Health Care System
3801 Miranda Avenue 
Palo Alto, CA 94304 
(650) 493-5000 | Directions 
http://www.paloalto.va.gov/

Vet Centers are VA community-based centers providing readjustment counseling, outreach, and referral services to combat Veterans and their families. Enrollment in VA health care is not a requirement for seeking services at a Vet Center. Services are free and confidential.

San Francisco Vet Center
505 Polk St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 441-5051

Peninsula Vet Center
345 Middlefield Road, Building 1
Menlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 617-4300

 

Visit VA.gov for a complete list of VA facilities.

Mental Health Resources:

  • Confidential 24/7 call center where combat veterans and their families can call to talk about their military experience or any other issue they are facing in their readjustment to civilian life. The staff is comprised of combat veterans from several eras as well as family members of combat veterans: 1-877-WAR-VETS
  • National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 1-877-424-3838
  • Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then Press 1 for specific Veterans services (Confidential Crisis Text Services: 838255)