Sioux Falls VA Health Care System VAMC

The Sioux Falls VA Health Care System VAMC is a VA medical center and outpatient addiction treatment program in Sioux Falls, South Dakota that serves veterans with substance use and dual mental health conditions.

They provide outpatient detox and intensive outpatient care.

They also offer methadone and buprenorphine treatment and counseling for issues ranging from PTSD to depression with telehealth options all at reduced or free for eligible veterans.

They have a low barrier access model paired with a regional care network.

Walk-in Express Care

At the Sioux Falls VA clients do not need a referral to be seen and urgent cases can access same day appointments and walk-in express care. Staff aim to schedule appointments as soon as possible.

This changes the math for a veteran in crisis when compared with the intake queues and assessment delays that are common at many outpatient programs. Someone who is ready to seek help today can be seen today.

This is important because motivation to enter treatment is often brief and telehealth appointments further reduce the barrier for those who cannot regularly come to the Royal C. Johnson Veterans' Memorial Hospital campus.

Satellite Clinics and Telehealth

Treatment through this system is not confined to the main hospital.

VA Sioux Falls operates appointments at six locations and its counseling program covers residents of Minnehaha and Brown, Union, and Charles Mix counties in South Dakota plus Dickinson County in Iowa.

A veteran in rural South Dakota or northwest Iowa can begin care at a satellite clinic or by telehealth.

They can then move into more intensive services at the main campus without changing providers or the completion of new paperwork which provides continuity inside one system for veterans far from any metro area.