You’ve seen the building. Tucked behind the Arvest Bank on North Gretna Road, the Branson VA Clinic doesn't exactly scream "cutting-edge medical hub." It looks like just another professional office in a town better known for its bright lights and country music theaters. But honestly, if you’re a veteran living in the Ozarks, this place is basically your lifeline.
There's a weird misconception that "small town clinic" means "limited care." People assume if they need anything serious, they have to trek up to the Gene Taylor clinic in Springfield or all the way to Fayetteville. That’s not quite the case anymore.
The Real Deal on Services
Most folks think the veterans clinic Branson MO is just for a quick flu shot or a blood pressure check. It’s way more than a primary care lobby. While primary care is the anchor, the facility has expanded its footprint into specialties that used to require a day-long road trip.
We’re talking about optometry and audiology—two of the most requested services for the older vet population here. If your hearing aids are acting up or your prescription needs a tweak, you don’t necessarily have to leave Taney County. They even have a lab on-site. You get your blood drawn, and the results feed directly into your My HealtheVet portal. It’s efficient. Sorta surprisingly so for a government entity.
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Then there’s the mental health aspect. It’s no secret that the Ozarks has a high density of veterans, many of whom are dealing with the long-tail effects of service. The Branson clinic provides behavioral health services that cover everything from PTSD counseling to substance use support. They also lean heavily into telehealth. If a specific specialist is physically sitting in St. Louis or Fayetteville, you can often "see" them via a high-def video link right there in a Branson exam room.
Location and Logistics (The Nitty Gritty)
If you're looking for it, the address is 5571 North Gretna Road, Branson, MO 65616.
Driving there is a bit of a "if you know, you know" situation. You want to head west on MO-248 and stay to the right, then merge onto North Gretna. Like I mentioned, look for the Arvest Bank; the clinic is situated in the Executive Center business complex.
- Phone: 417-243-2300
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Weekends: Ghost town. They are closed Saturdays and Sundays.
Parking is usually a breeze, which is a huge win compared to the massive VA hospitals where you have to hike a mile from your truck. Here, you’re basically at the door in twenty steps.
Why It Actually Matters in 2026
The VA is currently going through a massive reorganization. You might have heard about the VHA changes coming down the pike this year. The goal is to cut red tape and empower local directors. For the Branson clinic, this means more autonomy.
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One of the coolest things they’ve rolled out recently is the "Close to Me" care delivery model. This is a big win for oncology. It allows veterans to receive certain cancer treatments and anti-cancer infusions closer to home instead of traveling to a major medical center. For someone going through chemo, that two-hour drive to a big hospital is a nightmare. Doing it in Branson? That’s a game-changer.
Is the Quality Actually Good?
Look, everyone has a "VA horror story." It’s a trope at this point. But the data for the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (which Branson is a part of) tells a different story. In recent patient satisfaction surveys, this region has consistently outscored national averages. We’re talking trust scores hovering around 92%.
Does it have flaws? Sure. The administrative side can still feel clunky. You might spend some time on hold. But the clinicians? Most of them are there because they genuinely care about the mission. They’re dealing with a high volume of patients, especially as more vets move to the area for the low cost of living and the "veteran-friendly" vibe of Branson.
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Navigating the "Community Care" Loophole
Sometimes, the Branson clinic just can’t see you fast enough. Or maybe they don't have the specific specialty you need—like complex podiatry or certain surgeries.
This is where the PACT Act and the updated community care rules come in. If the VA can’t see you within 20 days for primary care or 28 days for specialty care, or if the drive is too long, you can often get referred to a civilian provider in Branson—like someone at Cox Medical Center.
A big shift in 2025 made this easier: they removed the "secondary review" step. If your doctor at the Branson clinic says you need a referral, it moves through the system much faster now. You aren't stuck in "pending" purgatory for months.
What to Do Next
If you’re a veteran in the Branson area and you aren't enrolled yet, don't wait until you’re sick. The enrollment process is the biggest hurdle.
- Bring your DD214. You can't do much without it.
- Visit the Gretna Road location in person to talk to an enrollment coordinator, or call the main line at 417-243-2300.
- Get on the My HealtheVet system. It lets you message your doctor directly. It’s way better than playing phone tag with the front desk.
- Check your eligibility for the PACT Act. Even if you were denied coverage years ago, the new laws regarding toxic exposure (like burn pits or Agent Orange) have opened the doors for thousands of Missouri veterans who were previously left out.
The Branson VA isn't a 24-hour ER—if you have a life-threatening emergency, go to Cox Branson. But for everything else, it’s a robust resource that's getting better as the system moves toward more localized, veteran-centric care.