Veterans enrolled with the VA Boston Healthcare System: If you have symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath, sign-in to My HealtheVet and send a secure message to your primary care provider or call our patient call center at (617) 232-9500 and ask for guidance before visiting the VA medical center or a community clinic.

For information on the COVID-19 virus go to:  https://www.va.gov/coronavirus/

Elective surgery and procedures are postponed; except emergencies and care that needs immediate attention

In an abundance of caution, we are directing all patients and visitors to a screening process at all of our medical centers to include the community-based outpatient clinics.

For screening information, please visit: https://www.boston.va.gov/BOSTON/features/2019_Novel_Coronavirus.asp

The screening process has shown minimal delay for those who do not need further evaluation. Additional instructions and evaluation will be provided for those who need it.

VA Boston Healthcare System Pharmacy Official Guidance for Prescription Refill Requests in Response to COVID-19
 

At this time, Pharmacy is switching to an all mail-order system in order to limit exposure to COVID-19. Outpatient Pharmacy will ONLY honor emergent prescription needs for in-person pick up. Emergent prescriptions include post-surgical, emergency department and discharge medication needs. All other medications and supplies will be mailed.

Veterans may request refills and renewals by:

• contacting the refill line at 1-857-364-4419

• mailing in refill slips

• calling the Pharmacy Call Center at 1-800-865-3384

• requesting through My HealtheVet – www.myhealth.va.gov

 

Please allow 7-10 days for prescription delivery. Veterans may request expedited shipments and may request changing routine medications from 30 day fills to 90 day fills by:

• contacting the Pharmacy Call Center at 1-857-364-4419

 

In addition to screening all Veterans and visitors, we will be implementing a new visitor policy.

NO VISITATION ALLOWED AT THIS TIME (exceptions may be made on a case by case basis)

While the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) still considers COVID-19 to be a low threat to the general American public, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced, March 10, new safeguards aimed at limiting COVID-19 exposure risk for two of its most susceptible patient populations: nursing home residents and spinal-cord injury patients.

Everyone is encouraged to take simple preventive actions to avoid being exposed to viruses:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Stay home if you are sick or becoming sick.

Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

If you have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with symptoms, please call before going to a VA facility.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the VA New England Healthcare System are paying special attention to Veteran health due to the Novel Coronavirus. This effort is being coordinated between VA, the Veterans Health Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and other federal agencies. The latest information on the new Coronavirus is available at https://www.publichealth.va.gov/n-coronavirus/.

Visitors, if you do not feel well, please consider postponing your visit. Read VA’s latest information on the new coronavirus at https://www.publichealth.va.gov/n-coronavirus/.

VA Boston Facilities are open and operational. Please confirm your appointment with your primary care provider prior to arrival.

To check T-Alerts, MBTA.com and @MBTAGM on twitter and Brockton Area Transit www.ridebat.com/nextbus/  for public transportation updates.

Do you have a family disaster plan?

Now is the time to plan what you, your family, and your pets would do in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster. Visit the Ready America web site for information and instructions for creating a family disaster plan.