Lowell VA Clinic

We help Veterans on their recovery journey through outpatient and inpatient services. Our residential facility helps Veterans deal with substance abuse, homelessness, mental health and unemployment through its 24-hour therapeutic and educational programs. VA Boston Healthcare System substance use disorder programs include:

• Rehabilitation
• Health maintenance
• Residential treatment
• Domiciliary program for homeless veterans
• Transitional housing with job counseling and outpatient treatment
• Outpatient groups, individual, couples or family counseling
• Outpatient methadone and suboxone treatment 
• Community support

Learn more about our VA treatment programs

We offer blood tests and other advanced testing services to help you and your VA health care team monitor your health, find and understand any health problems and make informed treatment decisions.

Our laboratories provide a full range of clinical and diagnostic testing services. Our laboratory and pathology services include:

• Study of blood, urine and other bodily fluids for illness management
• Testing for infectious diseases
• Cytopathology (study of unusual cells) and surgical pathology (study of tissue removed during surgery)
• Autopsy services

Going to the lab for bloodwork?

When you visit one of our labs to have your blood drawn, you will be asked to present your VA identification card or other identification that has your full Social Security Number (SSN) on it. In addition, our phlebotomists are required to ask you to recite your full name and SSN as an extra measure of patient safety.

Please follow any dietary restrictions that your doctor may have requested -- such as fasting -- for your bloodwork.

If you’re struggling with issues like PTSD, depression, grief, anger or trauma, we offer counseling and other support. All VA health care facilities offer same-day help. You may qualify even without enrolling in VA health care.

Our medical center and clinics provide consultation, evaluation, and treatment for a range of issues that may impact your mental health or emotional well-being. You may even be able to get certain mental health care if you aren't otherwise eligible for VA health care. Same-day mental health care is available for Veterans who need it. Our confidential outpatient services include individual and group therapy for:

• Psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression
• Marriage and relationship problems
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety, addictive behaviors, and personality disorders
• Substance use disorder
• Aggressive or self-harming behaviors

In addition, specialized programs are available for returning Veterans and for women veterans. Inpatient care is also available for Veterans in need of intensive treatment. 

Our residential/transitional programs can provide temporary housing to Veterans while offering treatments for a wide range of mental health concerns.

Learn more and connect with a care coordinator

Veterans in need of emergency assistance can call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press 1. Veterans can also the Emergency Department at the West Roxbury Campus 24/7.

During normal business hours, Veterans can also be evaluated urgently at:

Jamaica Plain Urgent Care Clinic, 857-364-5250

Brockton Urgent Care Clinic, 774-826-2318

West Roxbury Emergency Department, 857-203-5425 or 857-203-5426

Our optometrists offer you routine eye exams, preventive vision testing and treatment for conditions like glaucoma. We also provide prescriptions for eyeglasses and other assistive devices.

Care we provide at VA Boston health care

Comprehensive eye care with a focus on vision correction and screening for ocular disease.

We treat the following conditions

• Ocular inflammation
• Glaucoma
• Dry eye
• Near-sightedness/far-sightedness

Available at these locations

• Brockton VA Medical Center
• Jamaica Plain VA Medical Center
• Lowell CBOC
• West Roxbury VA Medical Center

How to Make an Appointment

If you aren't currently being seen by Optometry, you can be referred by your primary care provider for an initial consultation. If you are already being followed by Optometry, please call the clinic directly at 857-364-5796

Learn more about our Optometrists at VA Boston health care

Physical therapy, occupational therapy and kinesiotherapy can help restore movement and function if you have been disabled by injury or disease.

If you’re living with or recovering from an injury, illness or chronic condition that limits your mobility and independence, we can help. Our physical, occupational and movement therapists and assistants combine therapeutic exercise, counseling, education and training to help you improve your health and quality of life. Our services include:

• Pain relief and joint mobilization
• Movement and exercise therapies to improve your strength, endurance, balance, and coordination
• Mobility assessment and training with wheelchairs, scooters, and walking devices
• Life skills training and activities to help you maintain the highest level of independence and functionality
• Aquatic therapy to manage chronic pain
• Evaluation and treatment for a wide range of medical, orthopedic, psychosocial, and neurological conditions

Kinesiotherapy involves an evaluation and a program of exercise therapy and training to help improve a patient's strength, endurance and mobility.

Occupational therapy is a health and rehabilitation program that assists people to live life to its fullest by building skills for a better life.

Physical therapy helps people improve their movement and physical function, manage pain and other chronic conditions, and recover from and prevent injury and chronic disease.

Some services may be available virtually through VA Video Connect. Ask your care team for details.

Your VA primary care provider will work closely with you to plan for all the care you need to stay healthy and well throughout your life, including immunizations and vaccinations. They will also work with family members or caregivers who support you.

Primary Care provides ongoing, routine medical care for patients, such as:

• Annual exams
• Initial diagnoses
• Preventive care
• Patient and family health education

Your primary care team also coordinates many other care and services you may receive, including:

• Labs and blood work
• Mental health care
• Women's health care
• Radiology and other diagnostic imagery
• Social services
• Telehealth
• Other specialty care and services

Except for medical emergencies, primary care is provided only through scheduled appointments.

Emergency Services are provided only by the Emergency Department on the West Roxbury campus. However, for urgent conditions that are appropriate to be treated on an outpatient basis in a primary care clinical setting, same-day or next-day appointments in primary care are available.

Patient Call Center

The Patient Call Center is a very important part of primary care, providing ready access to the primary care team. Patients may use this system to communicate with the team, receive clinical advice or answers to questions, request renewal of medications, and to make or change a clinic appointment. All patients enrolled in primary care have access to this service.

To reach the Patient Call Center, dial 1-800-865-3384 -- available 24 hours per day.

Call our Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and press 1 for free, private help anytime 24/7. Our local suicide prevention coordinators can also connect you with ongoing counseling and services.

We work with behavioral health providers and community organizations to help you and your family during times of crisis. We offer:

• Suicide prevention care coordinators
• Suicide prevention case managers
• Gun safety locks

Mental health services at VA Boston offer same-day access to mental health care for Veterans who need it. Our emergency department on the West Roxbury campus is also open 24/7 for Veterans with urgent mental health care needs outside of regular business hours.

Additionally, VA offers mobile apps that support many aspects of mental health and wellness. Visit https://mobile.va.gov/appstore/mental-health to learn more. 

Veterans and their loved ones can always call VA’s Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat at www.veteranscrisisline.net, or text 838255, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Learn more and connect with a care coordinator

With VA telehealth, you can get care from your health providers without having to travel. Get checkups and treatment, talk about your care and more—from home or elsewhere.

We use the latest in secure digital technology to set up remote visits with our health care providers. We offer video conferencing, home telehealth services, and store-and-forward telehealth that lets you securely send your health information to experts at VA facilities. We offer telehealth visits with providers in specialties such as:

• Mental health
• Retinal care (eye)
• Bariatric surgery (visit remotely with your weight-loss surgery team before and after your operation)
• Dermatology
• Rehabilitation
• Primary care

Telehealth is just one of the virtual care technologies we offer. Click here  to learn more about Connected Care resources, which offer greater convenience and empower you to take charge of your health care from the comfort of your home. 

We provide support and assistive devices, including wheelchairs, scooters, walkers and canes, to help you preserve and increase your mobility.

We train you in the proper use of your wheelchair or other mobility devices to increase your wellness and improve your quality of life. Our team works with you to:

• Assess your individual need for mobility, which may include lightweight manual, sports or power wheelchairs, or other assistive devices
• Optimize correct wheelchair seating and positioning, including when applicable...
  • Cushion selection
  • Pressure mapping to evaluate the source of pressure ulcers
  • Custom-molded cushions and wheelchair backs
• Achieve maximum function and independence
• Promote good posture, breathing, digestion, and tissue health
• Prevent complications and additional injuries

Long Term Follow Up Guaranteed!

VA Boston Wheelchair and Seating Clinics provide lifelong service for all Veterans served in our clinics. Our program will repair damaged equipment, or replace equipment when it is beyond repair or when it is due for replacement.

Virtual Care:

If the Veteran or caregiver has access to Veteran Video Connect (VVC) on their smartphone, tablet or computer, there is a possibility that a portion of the wheelchair and seating visit could be conducted virtually. The program encourages Veterans to inquire about this virtual clinic option at time of scheduling.

How to Schedule with Wheelchair and Seating Clinics:

• Veterans can call the clinic and self-refer if they feel an evaluation is indicated.

• Veterans can obtain a referral from their primary care doctor or another specialty provider.

Talk with your Healthcare team about what you want your health for. Share your values, needs, and goals.

Try any of the services below offered by Whole Health team members:

• Explore “what matters most to you” with a Whole Health Partner
• Attend a Veteran-led 45-minute “Introduction to Whole Health” class
• Participate in a 9 week “Taking Charge of Your Life & Health” group
• Partner with a Health Coach for support in behavioral changes towards healthy living
• Join Ompractice for LIVE virtual Tai Chi, Yoga, and other wellness classes

Watch this video about Whole Health.

Ask your healthcare team for a referral OR call 857-203-4876.

We offer women’s health services to meet your specific needs such as disease screenings, mental health treatment, recovery from military sexual trauma, maternity care and female-specific medical equipment.

Our women's health program offers complete health care for women Veterans of all ages. Our primary care providers specialize in women’s health and work closely with specialists in gynecology, obstetrics, female urology, oncology, medicine, radiology, surgery and breast illness. Our services for women Veterans include:

• Ultrasounds, mammograms, Pap and HPV tests
• Mental health care and counseling
• Lifestyle wellness services
• Menopause treatment, including hormonal therapy
• Family planning, contraceptive care and infertility evaluation

Learn more and connect with the Women Veterans Program Manager. 

Women Veterans Call Center

The Women Veterans Call Center provides women Veterans information about VA services and resources, benefits and eligibility. The toll-free line is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time and on Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Please see the Women Veterans Call Center website or call 855-VA-WOMEN -- 855-829-6636. Call, chat or text are all available.