Important Veteran Newsletter, August 2022 Edition

Veteran Town Hall - Virtual and In-Person

Join us for leadership updates from the Wilmington VA Medical Center. Program updates regarding Access to Care and Patient Check-In. Q & A to follow. https://www.va.gov/wilmington-health-care/events

Patient Check-In

Checking into your next appointment at VA will be different. You’ll have two options: check in with a staff member or mobile check-in. With mobile check-in, you can confirm your contact info, emergency contact, & next-of-kin from your smartphone. Look for the mobile check-in poster in the check-in area to learn more. Primary Care will start Monday August 8th, and other services will be live in the near future. 

Traveling Veterans

Are you getting ready to travel? Did you notify your local VA Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT)? Preferably you would notify them 4 to 6 weeks prior to departure, or as soon as you are aware. Early planning will allow time for your local PACT and the Traveling Veteran Coordinator to coordinate your care at the alternate VA health care facility should you need it. If you are unable to make an appointment to see your PACT or provider in person, you may reach them by telephone or through secure messaging in MyHealtheVet ( www.myhealthevet.va.gov ).

To coordinate your health care with another VA health care facility, you should inform your PACT of the following:

• travel destination(s), and temporary address
• a valid telephone number
• arrival and departure dates
• specific care concerns

Your PACT will contact the Traveling Veteran Coordinator, who will assist in coordinating your care at the alternate VA health care facility.

VA launches updated Access to Care website

VA recently launched an improved Access to Care website. The site offers updated information and a user-friendly, streamlined search process that will make it easier for Veterans to plan their health care visits.

In addition, the website includes more of what Veterans told us matters to them beyond average wait times, such as Veteran satisfaction and experience information. They will also be able to view data for expanded mental health care services and specialties, including Individual and Group Therapy, General Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder programs, Primary Care-Mental Health Integrated Care, and PTSD Specific programs.

VA is planning to include additional specialty care services and more site improvements on Access to Care in the near future.

Statement from VA Secretary Denis McDonough on the Passage of the PACT Act 

Veterans who were exposed to toxic fumes while fighting for our country are American heroes, and they deserve world-class care and benefits for their selfless service. The bipartisan PACT Act will help VA deliver for those Veterans — and their survivors — by empowering us to presumptively provide care and benefits to Vets suffering from more than 20 toxic exposure-related conditions. 

To those Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors: you can apply for PACT Act benefits by filing a claim at VA, and you can learn more about the PACT Act at VA.gov/PACT or by calling us at 1-800-MyVA411. We’ll be communicating with you every step of the way to make sure that you and your loved ones get the benefits you’ve earned. 

We couldn’t be more grateful to President Biden, who made this day possible by fighting like hell for our nation’s Veterans. Once the President signs this bill into law, we at VA will implement it quickly and effectively, delivering the care these Veterans need and the benefits they deserve.

VA Health Chat 

If you have a non-urgent health care question, VA Health Chat can quickly connect you with a VISN 4 Clinical Contact Center nurse. Chat is available 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday except holidays. Learn more at https://mobile.va.gov/app/va-health-chat.

Tele Urgent Care

Tele Urgent Care/Tele ED is operating 7a-11p/365 days/year; 1-833-TELE-URGENT or press 3 on the phone tree to be connected to an RN to request Tele Urgent Care!

Clinical Contact Center

If you need to schedule, cancel or reschedule a primary care or specialty care appointment, call 800-461-8262 and press 2. Our friendly medical support assistants are available 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET Monday-Friday including weekends and holidays to assist you.

August Nutrition Classes

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COVID-19 and Masks

Attention Veterans and Visitors! COVID-19 continues to decline throughout our region, but Masks are still required at all VA and healthcare facilities regardless of vaccination status for the safety of our patients and staff. Thank you for understanding as we remain vigilant.

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Gun Safety

More than two-thirds of Veteran suicides involve a gun. Protect yourself and your loved ones by storing your guns securely – locked, unloaded, and away from ammunition. Learn more about safe gun storage practices at www.EndFamilyFire.org. (2545) Service Never Stops – Veterans Anthem | End Family Fire | Gun Safety - YouTube

Vet Fest - Middletown, DE

The mission of Vet Fest is to provide an uplifting and educational day, bringing the military and civilian communities together to benefit our active duty and military families. This includes providing peer-to-peer networking, outreach from mental health groups, a showcase for military pride, and a display of gratitude. It also serves as a fundraising event for Stop Soldier Suicide. Vet Fest | The Town of Whitehall (whitehallde.com)

Work For VA

Make the Difference. Learn about VA Careers by visiting: https://www.vacareers.va.gov/ 

Interested in working for the Wilmington VA Medical Center? See open job opportunities: USAJOBS - Search WVAMC

Veteran Stand-down

Serving Homeless and At-Risk Veterans

Services include VA Medical, Mental Health, Benefits, Claims, Housing, Employment, Clothing, Products and More!

For more information contact 302-349-4898 or lbjnavcret@hotmail.com

If you have a Community event for Veterans and would like to be listed here, please email pao.wilmington@va.gov  

Stay Informed, Follow Our Social Media Channels

Follow Wilmington VA Medical Center on our social media channels @WilmingtonVAMC on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Visit our new website at www.va.gov/wilmington-health-care.

Service members and veterans experiencing a mental health emergency can contact the Veteran Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and select option 1 for a VA staffer. Veterans, troops or their family members can also text 838255 or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net for assistance.