St. Cloud VA Health care
System announcement

News & Announcements

Some quick reminders from the St. Cloud VA

Vaccine Planning

Many of you may be wondering if you will be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as one is available.

When the FDA first approves or authorizes a vaccine, we’ll have a limited amount to start. During this time, we’ll offer the vaccine to Veterans and VA health care staff with the highest risk of getting or spreading the coronavirus, or of becoming severely ill from COVID-19. Vaccinating our high-risk Veterans and VA health care staff helps us continue providing care for Veterans. Over time, more vaccines will become available. We’ll then offer a COVID-19 vaccine to all Veterans enrolled in VA health care who want one.

Updates and additional information will be shared as it is available. There is no need to call to reserve a vaccine or get on a list.

In the meantime, stay safe by wearing a mask when around others; practicing social distancing; cleaning and disinfecting surfaces often; and washing your hands frequently!

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, go to the CDC website.

 Where’s my bill? COVID Billing VA Statements

Many of you may be receiving letters reminding you that since April 6, 2020, VA has put monthly copay patient statements on hold. We’ll start sending patient statements again in January 2021.

You don’t have to make any copay payments until January 2021. But please read below to know what to expect at that time.

In January 2021, you’ll receive a patient statement that may include the total amount of any:

• New copay charges for medical care and prescriptions you received from April 6, 2020, through December 31, 2020 
• Unpaid copay charges for medical care and prescriptions you received before April 2020  

If you’d like to make payments before January, Find out how to pay your VA copay bill now

If you can’t make your payments when billing starts again, Call us at 866-400-1238 or 844-698-2311 (TTY: 711). We can work with you to determine your debt relief options.

Learn more about requesting financial hardship assistance Watch a video about financial hardship options (YouTube)

Get the Right Care, at the Right Place, at the Right Time

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (most often fever, cough, and shortness of breath), have been near someone with the virus, or suspect you may be infected:

• Call your primary care or PACT Team before going to the clinic at 320-252-1670, Option 2
• After hours, call the 24-hour Nurse Advice Line at 320-252-1670, Option 3
• If it is very hard to breathe, or you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911. 

For Other Routine Care Needs: Schedule an appointment or talk to your VA PACT Team.

• Call 320-252-1670, Option 2, or
• Use Secure Messaging in My HealtheVet for nonurgent questions or requests

For Urgent Needs (Minor illnesses and injuries that are not life-threatening, but which need immediate care, or concerned about mental health issues)

• The St. Cloud VA Urgent Care Center in Bldg. 1 is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, including weekends and national holidays.
• Mental Health Triage is available in Bldg. 111 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, closed on national holidays.
• Eligible Veterans can also receive urgent care from an in-network community urgent care provider. To find an in-network location nearby visit: https://www.va.gov/find-locations. Verify your eligibility and that the provider is in-network prior to visiting. Co-pays may apply.
• To talk to a VA Nurse 24 hours a day call 320-252-1670, Option 3

For Emergency Needs (A life-threatening medical emergency. Delay may lead to death, serious or permanent injury, or thoughts of suicide or harming yourself or others)

• In an emergency, Veterans do not need to check with VA before calling 911 or going to an emergency room.
• The St. Cloud VA does not have an emergency department.
• Thoughts of suicide or harming yourself or others? Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, text to 838255 or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net, or call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

In most instances, Veterans are eligible to receive VA-authorized emergency care at an in-network community facility if VA is notified of the emergent event within 72 hours. Report emergency visits to VA emergency notification call center promptly! 

• VA has established a single national location, the Community Care Centralized Call Center, to accept reports of Veteran visits to an emergency department. Veterans and family members should remind community hospitals and providers to report emergency visits to VA either by email at: VHAEmergencyNotification@va.gov or by phone at 1-844-72HRVHA or (844-724-7842). Reporting emergency admissions helps your VA team arrange additional care or transfer to a VA facility. 

• A fact sheet on emergency care reporting is available to download at: https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/docs/pubfiles/factsheets/FactSheet_20-43.pdf

 Traveling Veteran Consults

If you are moving somewhere warm for the winter or taking an extended trip, traveling Veteran consults can be arranged to assist Veterans obtaining care at other VA facilities when away from the St. Cloud VA.

• Veterans should contact their PACT to arrange any needed care before they travel.
• Veterans should also contact VA Pharmacy staff at 320-252-1670, extension 6345 and update their address and travel dates.

For more information visit: https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/resources/publications/IB10-0914_sctv_faq.pdf