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Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers follow federal holiday schedules, which means most clinics and administrative offices close for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. But emergency care doesn’t stop, and veterans need to know what services stay available when regular operations shut down.
Planning ahead for prescriptions and knowing where to go for urgent care can save headaches during the holiday weeks.
What’s Closed at VA During the Holidays
All VA outpatient clinics, administrative offices and routine services shut down on federal holidays. For Christmas 2025, that means facilities close Wednesday, Dec. 25, and reopen Thursday, Dec. 26. The same pattern repeats for New Year’s Day on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2026.
This includes regular doctor appointments, mental health clinics, lab work, imaging services and pharmacy windows. If you have a routine appointment scheduled on a holiday, it will be rescheduled.
Administrative offices that handle benefits claims, enrollment and other paperwork also close. Don’t plan on filing paperwork or getting administrative help on federal holidays.
What Stays Open at VA During the Holidays
VA emergency departments operate 24/7, 365 days a year. Every VA medical center with an ER keeps it staffed through holidays. If you have a medical emergency, go to the nearest VA emergency room or call 911.
The Veterans Crisis Line never closes. Veterans in crisis can dial 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net any time, including holidays. The service is free, confidential and available to all veterans, no matter whether they’re enrolled in VA health care.
Many VA facilities also staff Clinical Contact Centers that provide 24/7 virtual care through holidays. These centers can help with nurse triage, medication questions and scheduling. Veterans can also message their care teams through My HealtheVet secure messaging during holidays, though responses may be delayed.
Prescription Refills
Request prescription refills before the holidays hit. VA pharmacies close on federal holidays, so order refills as soon as possible to try to ensure they arrive before offices close.
Veterans can refill prescriptions online through My HealtheVet on VA.gov 24/7, even during holidays. Phone refills work through the VA pharmacy call center at 877-327-0022, which operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.
If you run out of medication during a holiday, contact your VA medical center’s emergency department. They can provide short-term supplies of non-controlled medications. For controlled substances, you’ll need to visit the emergency department in person.
If You Go to a Non-VA Emergency Room
Sometimes the nearest emergency room isn’t VA. If you need emergency care at a non-VA facility, make sure the hospital notifies VA within 72 hours. The notification can come from the hospital or from you, but it has to happen for VA to cover the cost.
VA medical centers have emergency care reporting portals for this purpose. Get the contact information from your local VA ahead of time so you have it if needed.
Quick Holiday Checklist
- Check prescription refills and order anything you’ll need
- Save your local VA emergency department number in your phone
- Program the Veterans Crisis Line (988, press 1) into your contacts
- Know your VA facility’s Clinical Contact Center hours
- If you have routine appointments scheduled on or near holidays, confirm whether they’re still happening
For life-threatening emergencies, always call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. VA or non-VA doesn’t matter when minutes count.
Regular VA operations resume the day after each federal holiday. Outpatient clinics, administrative offices, and pharmacy windows reopen on normal schedules.
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15 Comments
The article mentions that administrative offices handling benefits claims and enrollment close on federal holidays, which could cause inconvenience for some veterans trying to file paperwork during this time.
The mention of My HealtheVet secure messaging as a means to contact care teams during holidays, although with potentially delayed responses, is a useful tool for veterans to stay in touch with their healthcare providers.
For those who may need emergency care at a non-VA facility, it’s essential to ensure the hospital notifies VA within 72 hours to cover the costs, which can be a significant financial burden if not handled properly.
The fact that VA emergency departments operate 24/7, 365 days a year, is reassuring for veterans who may have medical emergencies during the holidays, such as Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
This is especially important for those living in rural areas with limited access to non-VA emergency services.
It’s good to know that the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7, even on holidays, and can be reached by dialing 988 and pressing 1, or by texting 838255.
I’m concerned about the potential delays in prescription refills during the holiday season, as VA pharmacies close on federal holidays, and the impact this may have on veterans’ health.
The article highlights the importance of planning ahead for medical needs during the holidays, including scheduling appointments and refilling prescriptions, to avoid last-minute complications.
This planning can help reduce stress and ensure veterans receive the care they need without interruption.
I’m skeptical about the efficiency of the emergency care reporting portals for non-VA emergency rooms, and whether they can effectively process notifications within the required 72-hour timeframe.
It’s reassuring that VA medical centers can provide short-term supplies of non-controlled medications for veterans who run out during the holidays, but the process for controlled substances seems more complicated.
The ability to refill prescriptions online through My HealtheVet or by phone through the VA pharmacy call center is a convenient option for veterans, especially during the holiday season when VA pharmacies are closed.
The reminder to request prescription refills before the holidays is crucial, as running out of medication during this time could lead to unnecessary complications for veterans.
I appreciate that many VA facilities have Clinical Contact Centers providing 24/7 virtual care, including nurse triage and medication questions, which can help alleviate some of the pressure on emergency services.
This service can be particularly helpful for veterans who have non-urgent questions or concerns and want to avoid visiting the emergency room.