The VA Caribbean Healthcare System (VACHS) emergency management officials are actively monitoring Hurricane Maria as it continues its general path toward our area. Due to anticipated severe weather associated with the storm, the operating status of the VA Caribbean Healthcare System has been modified:

San Juan VA Medical Center

Inpatient services will be fully operational for patients admitted for care, however, all outpatient services will be closed beginning 2:00 pm on Tuesday, September 19 through Wednesday, September 20.

Patient visitations at the hospital will not be permitted starting Tuesday, September 19, at 2:00 p.m. through Wednesday, September 21.

Employees required to work at the San Juan VA Medical Center starting 2:00 pm September 19 through September 21 are asked to park one of the multilevel parking garages. 

Outpatient Clinics

Arecibo CBOC – Will close at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, September 19 through Wednesday, September 20.
Ceiba CBOC - Will close at 11:00 am on Tuesday, September 19 through Wednesday, September 20.
Comerio Rural Clinic – Will close at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, September 19 through Wednesday, September 20.
Guayama CBOC - Will close at 11:00 am on Tuesday, September 19 through Wednesday, September 20.
Mayaguez VA Clinic - Will close at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, September 19 through Wednesday, September 20.
Ponce VA Clinic - Will close at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, September 19 through Wednesday, September 20.
St. Croix CBOC - Will close from Tuesday, September 19 through Wednesday, September 20.
St. Thomas – Closed until further notice
Utuado Rural Clinic - Will close at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, September 19 through Wednesday, September 20.
Vieques Rural Clinic - Will close from Tuesday, September 19 through Wednesday, September 20.

All clinics and services impacted by closures are expected to be reopened or restored by Thursday, September 21, unless communicated otherwise. For updates on the operational status of all VA Caribbean Healthcare System facilities, please visit: www.caribbean.va.gov/emergency

Veterans impacted by closures will be contacted by VA staff to reschedule their appointments as soon as possible. In the event of a medical and mental health emergency, Veterans are encouraged to dial 911 or visit the closest emergency room. Please note that VA Caribbean Healthcare System’s facilities are not designated as hurricane shelters. To view a list of designated hurricane shelters in Puerto Rico, please visit: http://www2.pr.gov/agencias/aemead/Pages/Home.aspx.

The following are the shelters opened by the Government of the US Virgin Islands:

St. Thomas-St. John District
Lockhart Elementary School
BCB Middle School
Charlotte Amalie High School

St. John
Guy Benjamin in Coral Bay
Bethany Moravian Church (Julius Sprauve School in St. John is being evacuated)

St. Croix
Educational Complex
Canegata Ballpark facility
Herbert Grigg

In addition, VA has activated the Pharmacy Disaster Relief Plan through Heritage Health. Eligible patients with Veterans Health Identification (VHIC) in need of an emergency supply of medications can go to any retail pharmacy open to the public with a written prescription or active VA prescription bottle, not older than 6 months and with refills available, to receive a 10 day supply.  This does not include controlled substances.

Heritage Health’s customer care representatives can be reached at 1-866-265-0124, option 1. The telephone line is open for Veterans Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

If a Veteran is displaced, has lost his or her medication, and no longer has a written prescription or bottle, they can contact the Health Resources Center at 1-877-752-0650 to speak with a representative. The representative will qualify the request by asking a few questions and provide the Veteran with a prescription number.

Enrolled Veterans are also encouraged to use the My HealtheVet online portal to communicate with their assigned VA healthcare team using the Secure Messaging feature. (www.myhealth.va.gov).

Visit www.ready.gov to learn about disaster preparedness kits, family emergency plans, and more. 

Additional Resources:
787-641-7582
1-800-449-8729
www.caribbean.va.gov
www.facebook.com/vacaribbean
www.myhealth.va.gov
Telephone care: 1-877-737-8820
Pharmacy:  1-877-737-8820
Appointments call center:  1-877-737-8820
Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255