What Veteran Patients Need to Know about COVID-19 Treatments

When should you contact the VA Maryland Health Care System for COVID-19?

If you have any of the following:

1. A positive COVID-19 test from any testing site (can be a testing site outside the VA).
2. Experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (cold symptoms, fever, fatigue etc.), for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
3. You have not been vaccinated or are not fully vaccinated and were in close contact with someone known to have a COVID-19 infection.
4. You have been fully vaccinated but are immunocompromised (undergoing treatment for cancer, organ transplant, HIV, or are on medications that suppress your immune system) and were in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

Who should you call?

1. You should call your Primary Care Provider/Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT).
2. You can also call the Telephone Care Line for the VA Maryland Health Care System 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-865-2441.
3. VA also offers urgent care services to eligible Veterans at in-network urgent care clinics that are close to where you live and work. Follow these simple steps to find and use an in-network urgent care clinic near you:

• Call VA’s Urgent Care Program to verify your eligibility.
• Visit va.gov/find-locations and click on the link for “VA-approved urgent care locations and pharmacies” or call VA’s Office of Community Care at 877-881-7618.
• When you arrive at the urgent care clinic, confirm that the provider is an in-network urgent care provider.
• The provider will call 833-483-8669 to confirm you are eligible for the urgent care benefit.
• If you need assistance, call 866-620-2071.

What should you expect when you call your Primary Care Provider/PACT Team?

The Primary Care Provider/PACT team member will call you back to determine your care needs, provide instructions and make referrals to the appropriate support services. This may include a referral to the Infectious Diseases Clinic for possible treatment and/or a referral for home-based monitoring.

What kind of treatment is the VA Maryland Health Care System providing?

Most treatment will be supportive care and monitoring of symptoms. This includes taking your temperature and oxygen level daily or when there is any change in condition. The provider may order a thermometer and/or pulse oximeter for home use. 

In addition, there is a treatment called COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapy that is a one-time infusion (medication through an intravenous) that has been shown to decrease the chance of progression to serious illness and hospitalization.  It must be given early in the infection.  The Infectious Diseases Clinic or your provider will determine the best way to receive this treatment if you meet criteria.  This treatment is a non-FDA approved medication that has been authorized under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).  Visit the following link for a copy of the EUA fact sheet that contains information on the COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapies:

Casirivimab and Imdevimab https://www.fda.gov/media/145612/download, or use the QR Code:
Bamlanivimab and Etesevimab https://www.fda.gov/media/145803/download, or use the QR code:

COVID-19 Vaccinations

It’s never too late to get vaccinated or boosted! If you haven’t received your COVID vaccine or booster yet, please call the Appointment Center at 410-605-7333 Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to schedule an appointment today! Veterans 18 years and older are eligible for boosters.