VA Clinics Expand Specialty Services for Veterans: What's Available Beyond Primary Care

The Department of Veterans Affairs is expanding specialty health services at outpatient clinics nationwide, making it easier for veterans to access comprehensive care beyond primary medicine. VA facilities like the Toms River Outpatient Clinic in New Jersey now provide a full range of diagnostic evaluations, treatment options, and support services designed to address chronic conditions and improve overall health outcomes.

What Specialty Services Are Available at VA Clinics?

VA outpatient clinics have significantly expanded their service offerings to include multiple specialty care areas. Veterans no longer need to travel to large medical centers for many types of specialized treatment. The Toms River Outpatient Clinic, for example, provides a comprehensive network of services that address some of the most common health challenges veterans face.

Available specialty services include:

• Audiology and Speech Pathology: Hearing and balance evaluations, hearing aid selection and management, cochlear implant programming, and treatment for speech and swallowing disorders.
• Cardiology: Noninvasive and minimally invasive tests and procedures to evaluate heart health, including electrocardiograms, ultrasound monitoring, and treatments like balloon angioplasty or stent placement.
• Dental Care: Routine exams and cleanings, restorative procedures including fillings and crowns, surgical care such as extractions and oral cancer screening, and advanced prosthodontic care including bridges, dentures, and dental implants.
• Diabetes Management: Self-management education and support classes, insulin therapy training, blood-glucose monitoring, and pain management services.
• Women's Health: Mammograms for breast cancer screening, sexually transmitted disease screening, Pap tests for cervical cancer, contraception counseling, and osteoporosis screening.
• Allergy and Immunology: Skin and blood testing to identify allergies, allergy medication management, asthma testing and treatment, and specialized care for immune deficiency disorders.
• Mental Health: Treatment for depression, anxiety, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
• Laboratory Services: Clinical and diagnostic testing including blood and urine analysis, infectious disease testing, and pathology services.

How Can Veterans Access These Specialty Services?

Veterans interested in specialty care should start by contacting their primary care provider, who can determine whether a referral is needed and help coordinate the appropriate service. At the Toms River Outpatient Clinic, veterans can call the main phone line at the facility or use VA Health Connect to schedule appointments. The clinic operates Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with service hours varying for different specialties.

For veterans who face transportation challenges, the VA offers beneficiary travel benefits that can significantly reduce barriers to care. These benefits include round-trip transportation from home to the medical center, mileage reimbursement, or special mode transport for veterans with mobility limitations. Veterans can contact the clinic to determine whether they qualify for these transportation assistance programs.

Why Specialty Care Access Matters for Veterans

Many veterans manage multiple chronic conditions that require specialized expertise. Having access to cardiology, diabetes management, audiology, and mental health services at local outpatient clinics means veterans can receive coordinated care without lengthy travel times or delays in treatment. This integrated approach allows different specialists to communicate about a veteran's overall health picture, leading to better outcomes and more efficient care.

Mental health services are particularly important for veterans, who experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD compared to the general population. By offering mental health care at accessible outpatient locations, the VA removes stigma and logistical barriers that might otherwise prevent veterans from seeking help.

Similarly, audiology services address a common challenge for veterans, many of whom experience hearing loss from service-related noise exposure. Early intervention with hearing aids and assistive listening devices can significantly improve quality of life and reduce social isolation.