VISN 12 - VA Great Lakes Health Care System

The VA Great Lakes Health Care System (VISN 12) serves veterans who reside in Illinois, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Wisconsin, and northwestern Indiana. VISN 12 includes eight Joint Commission-accredited VA medical centers and more than 40 large and small outpatient clinics providing a full range of high quality, cost-effective medical, psychiatric and extended care services in an inpatient, outpatient, nursing home, and home care settings.

To speak to a VA Health Connect professional dial your VA Medical Center or Community Based Outpatient Clinic and select option 1 for Pharmacy, 2 for Scheduling, or 3 for Clinical Triage.

All Veterans are welcome to utilize VISN 12 Health Connect. If you are not a VISN 12 patient or not currently enrolled for VA health care benefits, we will work with you to determine your best options and how best to meet your needs. Learn more about how to enroll for VA Healthcare at: www.va.gov/health-care/about-va-health-benefits

Yes, VISN 12 Health Connect is safe and private. The program is compliant with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and will only share your information with your selected provider, pharmacy, and other VA providers who may be involved in your care and have a need to know.

Services provided include general administrative support (such as appointment scheduling), nurse triage, pharmacy, and virtual visits with a doctor or nurse practitioner via telephone or VA Video Connect.

The major advantage is that when virtual care is appropriate, Veterans can get care within 24 hours of their call. Additionally, they can get the care they need from wherever they may be located and do not need to travel to see a provider. If the care required by a Veteran is too complex for a virtual visit to handle, the necessary care will be coordinated with the Veteran’s preferred VA facility with appropriate follow up. Additionally, any care and interactions Veterans have with the through Health Connect are recorded in their official VA medical records which ensures care continuity (i.e. a Veteran’s regular primary care physician can see the interaction and care provided by the center and can continue a treatment plan if required).

VA Video Connect is a secure video app available for Android, iOS, and Windows devices. The app connects Veterans with their health care team from anywhere, using encryption to ensure a secure and private session. It makes VA health care more convenient and reduces travel times for Veterans, especially those in very rural areas with limited access to VA health care facilities, and it allows quick and easy health care access from any mobile or web-based device. Veterans and their health care providers jointly decide whether to use VA Video Connect for a medical visit. You can learn more at: https://mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect.


Android users
VA Video Connect works on Android devices that have an internet connection and a web camera. No application download is required. Ahead of a VA Video Connect appointment, you will receive an email or calendar invite with a link to launch the session. The session will launch automatically in your web browser after the session link is selected.


iOS users
If accessing VA Video Connect on your iOS device (e.g., iPhone, iPad), you will need to download the free VA Video Connect iOS app from the Apple App Store prior to your visit. Ahead of a VA Video Connect appointment, you will receive an email or calendar invite with a link to launch the session. If you have downloaded VA Video Connect onto your device, the session will launch automatically in the app after the session link is selected. If you have not downloaded the app, you will receive an error message after you select the link.


Windows users
VA Video Connect works on Windows devices (desktop, laptop, tablets) that have an internet connection and a web camera. No application download is required. Ahead of a VA Video Connect appointment, you will receive an email or calendar invite with a link to launch the session. The session will launch automatically in your web browser after the session link is selected. .

VISN 12 Clinical Triage calls do not replace your need for a primary care physician. All interactions with Health Connect become part of your medical record and are shared with your primary care provider if you have one. This promotes good continuity of care. If you do not have a VA primary care provider, ask for assistance finding one during your call.

Yes, when needed, the Health Connect provider may prescribe you medications, answer questions about medications, and more. Medications prescribed through the center will be mailed to you. If there is an urgent need for a medication, pickup may be arranged for you. The Health Connect provider may arrange for you to pick up a short-term supply at your local VA pharmacy or a contracted pharmacy in the community.

Your Pharmacy telephone number has NOT changed. Please call the number on your prescription bottle to order your medication and have the bottle with you when you call. The automated pharmacy lines are always available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. You can also refill, track, and view your medications 24/7 by logging on to your My HealtheVet Pharmacy account at https://www.myhealth.va.gov. If you are out your medication and do not have any refills remaining, you may contact a Health Connect Pharmacy Services or your VA Provider for assistance with renewing your medication.

VISN 12 Health Connect Primary Care Scheduling and Administrative Support can directly schedule primary care. In the future, they will also be able to schedule certain specialty care appointments. In the event a Health Connect staff member cannot schedule an appointment for you, staff will make contact with the VA facility at which you receive you care and coordinate for follow up contact to ensure an appointment is made.