Flu Vaccination Clinics for Eligible Veterans across Central Minnesota
 During this flu season, flu shots for St. Cloud VA Veterans are available at most scheduled VA appointments, at convenient walk-thru and drive-thru flu shot clinics, and through the VA Community Care Network.
VA flu shot clinics are for enrolled Veterans only and shots are free. Walk-thru or drive-thru flu clinics do not require an appointment. Flu-shot only appointments cannot be scheduled.
Flu shots for Veterans at a scheduled VA appointment
- Social distancing and the continuing need to minimize traffic in health care facilities play an important role in the flu shot effort.
- Veterans can get a flu shot as part of most appointments. Some services, like imaging, lab, and others, do not administer flu shots.
- Flu-shot only appointments are not offered.
Flu shots for Veterans without a VA appointment
- Veterans without an upcoming appointment can use walk-thru and drive-thru flu clinics.
- Veterans at walk-thru and drive-thru clinics will undergo screening for vaccine allergies and COVID-19 symptoms. Veterans should prescreen themselves for COVID-19 by using VA’s COVID-19 screening tool, available at https://www.va.gov/covid19screen/. Those with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 will be directed to other treatment locations.
- Safety and weather related postponements or suspensions of drive-thru clinic locations will be announced at https://va.gov/st-cloud-health-care/ and at https://www.facebook.com/stcloudvahcs.
- Veterans using walk-thru and drive-thru flu clinics should wear a mask, have their Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) ready, wear a short sleeve shirt, follow signage, and if using a drive-thru clinic to stay in their vehicle.
Walk-thru flu shot clinics are available at these locations and times:
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St. Cloud VA Medical Center, Bldg. 96: Sat., Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- VFW Post 936, 1102 3rd Avenue East, Alexandria: Thurs., Oct. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Montevideo VA Clinic, 1025 N. 13th St., Montevideo: Fri., Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Drive-thru flu shot clinics are available at these locations and times:
- St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex (MAC) Parking Lot, 5001 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud (next door/west of the VAMC):
- Wed., Oct. 12 and Thurs., Oct. 13, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Veterans with a last name starting with A – K are asked to use the drive-thru clinic from 9 a.m. – Noon; and those with a last name starting with L – Z are asked to use the drive-thru clinic between Noon to 3 p.m.
- Fri., Oct. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. First come, first served.
- Brainerd VA Clinic Parking Lot, 722 NW 7th St., Brainerd (enter via Essentia Health Sports Center parking lot at corner of NW 5th St. and Jackson St.)
- Wed., Sept. 28 and Thurs., Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Flu Shots Also Available through VA’s Community Care Network
Eligible Veterans can receive free flu shots at more than 70,000 Community Care Network (CCN) retail pharmacies and urgent care locations from Sept. 1, 2022, through April 30, 2023.
Veterans can use the VA Locator to find a VA facility, in-network retail pharmacy or urgent care location near them by visiting: https://www.va.gov/find-locations.
Veterans should call ahead to make sure the flu shot is available at the location of their choosing. Veterans can find in-network locations in their area by entering:
- City, state, or postal code: Enter the appropriate ZIP code for your area
- Facility Type: Select "Urgent Care" OR "Community pharmacies (in VA’s network)"
- Service Type: If "Urgent Care" is selected for Facility Type, choose "Community urgent care providers (in VA’s network)"
Veterans using the CCN should tell the in-network community care staff they are an eligible Veteran enrolled with VA, and show a government-issued identification (e.g., Veterans Health Identification Card or driver’s license).
Stand-alone flu shot visits to in-network community urgent care providers are copay free and are not counted as an urgent care visit. Other vaccinations are not available through the CCN.
Veterans who get a flu shot outside of VA or the VA’s Community Care Network are asked to inform their VA care team.
COVID-19 Vaccines and Flu vaccines
- The CDC recently issued recommendations for updated COVID-19 booster vaccines. Those eligible for a booster using new bivalent COVID-19 vaccines include:
- Veterans who completed primary series vaccination with two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months ago, or with a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months ago.
- Veterans who have received one or two prior booster doses are also eligible 2 months after their most recent dose.
- The St. Cloud VA HCS offers the Moderna COVID-19 updated booster vaccine.
- Veterans seeking an updated COVID-19 booster along with a flu shot at a drive-thru or walk-thru clinic should inform the screener upon arrival. COVID-19 booster vaccines will be given as available and may not be available at all flu clinics. Primary series COVID-19 vaccinations are not provided at walk-thru or drive-thru flu clinics.
- Individuals suspected or who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 recently are asked to consult with their provider team before getting a flu shot.
- Enrolled Veterans can request a COVID-19 vaccine or booster dose for themselves and their spouse or caregiver as part of other scheduled appointments. Enrolled Veterans can get a flu shot at the same visit.
- Enrolled Veterans can schedule a COVID-19 vaccination by calling 320-252-1670, ext. 6339 or visiting https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/
- Veterans not enrolled for VA care, their caregivers and spouses, and CHAMPVA beneficiaries can schedule a COVID-19 vaccine by using the Keep Me Informed tool at https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/ or calling 320-252-1670, Ext. 6339.
VA is committed to keeping Veteran patients healthy, and vaccination is the best way to prevent the spread of flu.
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Construction continues on the new, larger facility for the Max J. Beilke VA Clinic in Alexandria, Minnesota.
The VA Clinic, currently located at 515 22nd Avenue East in Alexandria, will move to a new location at 410 30th Avenue East in the winter of 2022/2023.
The new location increases the operating size of the clinic from 9,915 square feet to 14,833 square feet. The additional space enables service expansions in audiology, telehealth, and mental health. Previous reports indicating that optometry services would be added to the service offering at the clinic were inaccurate.
In the meantime, the current clinic location continues to serve Veterans.
Provider staffing has presented a recent challenge; however we are focused on ensuring Veterans continue to have access to the care they need.
We are actively recruiting for vacant primary care provider positions, however one primary care nurse practitioner continues to see Veterans and we are offering provider appointments in St. Cloud and using urgent care services as needs arise. Additionally, a VA primary care provider at the St. Cloud VAMC for the past several years is permanently transferring to the Max J. Beilke VA Clinic and will begin seeing patients in Alexandria on September 20! We also continue to use telephone and video nursing care, use VA Midwest Health Care Network resources to assist clinic staff in triaging and routing Veterans to care services, and are using community resources as needed.
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Investing in VA Nursing (IVAN) Program
The St. Cloud VA is in the process of creating a Nursing Assistant training course, which will take place on site. This course will follow the Minnesota Department of Health guidelines using a minimum of the 75 hours outlined in the Minnesota State-Long Term Care Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide Curriculum. At least 16 of the 75 hours are supervised practical training with a live person in a lab or other setting. We are in the very early stages of development, but would like to announce this exciting initiative and we will keep you posted as we progress through each stage.
Watch for more information on this exciting adventure! Those interested in learning more about the program can call Mandi Loxterkamp at 320-260-5298.
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Community Care Service Desk Closing October 13, 2022.
Due to low customer volumes, the Community Care Department’s walk-in service desk in Building 29, Room 20C, will cease operations starting October 13, 2022. Veterans needing assistance can contact the Community Care Department at 320-252-1670, ext. 6401 between 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays (except federal holidays). Please view this fact sheet and frequently asked questions document to review the community care consult and authorization process and to locate points of contact for specific questions.
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VA to Extend Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers eligibility for “legacy” Veterans and their family caregivers
On September 14, 2022, the Department of Veterans Affairs submitted to the Federal Register an interim final rule that will extend Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers eligibility for certain Veterans and their family caregivers through Sept. 30, 2025.
Specifically, this new rule will extend program eligibility for legacy participants, legacy applicants and their family caregivers, by three years. A legacy participant is a Veteran or servicemember who was participating in PCAFC as of Sept. 30, 2020, and a legacy applicant is a Veteran or servicemember who applied for PCAFC before Oct. 1, 2020, and was accepted into the program on or after Oct. 1, 2020.
PCAFC is a key part of VA’s Caregiver Support Program. PCAFC offers enhanced clinical support for family caregivers of eligible Veterans who incurred or aggravated a serious injury in the line of duty on or before May 7, 1975, or on or after Sept. 11, 2001, and meet other eligibility criteria. Benefits under PCAFC include education and training, respite care, counseling, technical support, a monthly stipend and access to health care through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs and certain travel expenses. VA is on track to expand PCAFC eligibility to include eligible Veterans of all service eras effective Oct. 1, 2022. More information about this program can be found here.
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Changes ahead for Check-in and Travel Pay
For several years Veterans could check-in for appointments and file claims for travel pay using the self-service kiosks at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center and our community clinics.
VA is phasing out use of the kiosks and by September 29 the kiosks will no longer be available for use.
To check-in at appointments Veterans can simply visit the staff member at the clinic reception desk. Staff can also assist with updating insurance and contact information.
To file travel pay claims Veterans can use either the web-based Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS) or submit a paper claim form. While paper claim submissions are available, they take longer to process and do not offer the advantages of BTSSS.
BTSSS provides an easy to use web-based application that allows you to enter and track your claim over the internet via AccessVA. This ensures timely processing and payment of travel reimbursements and reduces manual intervention and improper claim payments through automated features.
What to do before you file your first claim
Filing a claim using BTSSS
View our informational pamphlet How to file a travel pay claim online, which is attached to this bulletin. You can use your smartphone or personal computer to log on to AccessVA using your DSLogon, Login.gov, ID.me or MyHealtheVet account credentials.
If you don’t have one of these accounts, you can create a Login.gov or ID.me account and then sign in.
File a paper claim
You can also file your claim by mail, fax, or in person at the VA facility where you received care. To do this, you’ll need to fill out a Veteran/Beneficiary Claim for Reimbursement of Travel Expenses (VA Form 10-3542).
Get VA Form 10-3542 to download
Paper forms are also available at the St. Cloud VA Travel Office in Bldg. 5, Rm. 119, and at the community clinics.
Read the statements and certifications carefully. Then sign and date your form. Mail, fax, or take your completed form and receipts in person to the VA facility where you received care. If you mail your claim, we consider the postmark date the date of submission.
Beneficiary Travel eligibility
For Veterans
As a Veteran, you may be eligible for reimbursement if you meet the requirements listed here.
This must be true:
You’re traveling for care at a VA health facility or for VA-approved care at a non-VA health facility in your community.
And at least one of these must also be true:
- You have a VA disability rating of 30% or higher, or
- You’re traveling for treatment of a service-connected condition, even if your VA disability rating is less than 30%, or
- You receive a VA pension, or
- You have an income that’s below the maximum annual VA pension rate, or
- You can’t afford to pay for your travel, as defined by our guidelines, or
- You’re traveling for one of these reasons: A scheduled VA claim exam (also called a compensation and pension, or C&P, exam), to get a service dog, or for VA-approved transplant care
For caregivers
VA may pay for transportation and related lodging and meals for non-Veterans if the person meets any of these requirements.
At least one of these must be true:
- The person is your family caregiver under the National Caregiver Program traveling to receive caregiver training or to support your care, or
- The person is your medically required attendant traveling with you to support your care, or
- The person is your transplant care donor or support person
Learn more!
For more information please visit: https://www.va.gov/health-care/get-reimbursed-for-travel-pay/
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Co-Managed Care
As an advocate for your health, your VA provider continually reviews your treatment plan, including medications, treatments, and diagnostic tests, to ensure you receive the best and most effective health care. If you are a Veteran who is seeing both a VA provider and a community provider, your care needs to be coordinated.
For your health and safety, you need to:
- Inform your community provider of the treatment received by a VA provider and
- Inform your VA provider of the care you received in the community
During your care, you may have recommendations for medications, treatments, and diagnostic tests from your community provider that you wish to receive through the VA.
For your request to be reviewed, you need to give your VA provider copies of the following information from your community provider’s office:
- The name, address, and phone number of your community provider
- Copies of office visit notes and diagnostic tests supporting the treatment recommendations
- Copies of prescription(s)
You can supply these copies to your VA provider by either:
- Bringing copies with you to your next scheduled VA appointment
- Requesting your community provider to fax information to 320-255-6360
- Mailing information to:
Triage Clerk (PM-136A)
VA Medical Center
4801 Veterans Drive
St. Cloud, MN 56303
Medications, treatments, and diagnostic tests can only be ordered after your VA provider has reviewed the recommendations and decided which are appropriate, effective, and necessary.
If you receive a prescription from your community provider and you need to start it right away, you will need to purchase a 30-day supply from your pharmacy while your VA provider reviews the recommendations. VA cannot reimburse you for medications you purchase at a community pharmacy.
Information on VA co-managed pharmacy benefits:
- Your VA provider needs to follow and review your health by seeing you for a physical at least once a year. VA cannot be used only as your pharmacy.
- VA providers can only prescribe medications and supplies listed on VA’s approved list (formulary). You and your community provider can see this list at: http://www.pbm.va.gov/apps/VANationalFormulary
- The list includes drugs from all major categories. If the drug prescribed by your community provider is not on the list, your VA provider may prescribe a closely related medication.
- Some medications are only available after approval by a VA specialty service or other criteria are met.
- The VA prefers to do complete lab work for medications that require special monitoring unless circumstances such as geographic distance or physical immobility create a hardship.
- Your VA health care provider cannot prescribe high-risk medications that need special monitoring (e.g. medications used to treat cancer, prevent blood clots, regulate heart rhythm or lithium) in the co-managed care program.
- Controlled substances prescribed by a community provider will not be reviewed or filled in the co-managed care program.
- Acute infection medications will not be reviewed or filled in the co-managed care program.
- Prosthetic devices or equipment can only be issued by the VA if ordered by your VA provider.
Unnecessary, inappropriate, or harmful medications or supplies will not be prescribed.
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Be Safe from STIs
Any person who has sex can get a sexually transmitted infection (STI). That’s why it is important for everyone to take steps to be safe from STIs. Get the facts from the Veterans Health Library (VHL):
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Intro to Whole Health Class is and informative class that equips you to take charge of your health by emphasizing self-empowerment, self-healing, and self-care through better knowledge. Occurs the 1st and 4th Wednesday every month, in person and virtual. Call the St. Cloud VA Whole Health Team to schedule: (320) 252-1670, ext. 5401.
Taking Charge of My Life Program
A program helping Veterans learn more about how to improve their health and live consistently with what is most important to them. Occurs on Tuesdays in a series of 4 sessions. Call the St. Cloud VA Whole Health Team to schedule: (320) 252-1670, ext. 5401.
Veterans Affairs Radio Show
Monday, October 3, 8:10-8:30 a.m.
KNSI AM 1450/FM 103.3
Voices for Veterans Radio Show
Wednesday, October 19, 8:15-8:30 a.m.
WJON AM 1240/FM95.3
For a complete Calendar of Events, go to
https://www.va.gov/st-cloud-health-care/events/
Quick Reference Phone List
| Main St. Cloud VA HCS Phone Number |
320-252-1670 or 800-247-1739 |
| TDD User |
320-255-6450 |
| Max J. Beilke VA Clinic, Alexandria |
320-759-2640 |
| Brainerd VA Clinic |
218-855-1115 |
| Montevideo VA Clinic |
320-269-2222 |
| Veterans Crisis Line |
800-273-8255 Press 1 |
| Homeless Veterans Hotline |
877-424-3838 |
| Billing |
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| VA Care |
866-347-2352 |
| Care in the Community (non-VA Care) |
877-881-7618 |
| Caregiver Support Team |
Ext. 7283 |
| Chaplain Service |
Ext. 6386 |
| Community Care Referrals |
Ext. 6401 |
| Discrimination Complaints |
Ext. 6304 |
| Eligibility |
Ext. 6226/6340 |
| Nutrition Clinic |
Ext. 6376 |
| Transition and Care Management Program |
Ext. 6453 |
| Patient Advocate |
Ext. 6353 |
| Pharmacy Refill Line |
855-560-1724 |
| Public Affairs Office |
Ext. 6353 |
| Release of Information (Medical Records) |
Ext. 6336 |
| Transportation |
Ext. 7622 |
| TRICARE |
844-866-9378 |
| Voluntary Service |
Ext. 6365 |
| VA Police |
Ext. 6355 |
Stay in Touch
Visit our Website: https://www.va.gov/st-cloud-health-care/
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/StCloudVAHCS
Sign up for our automated email service. Visit the St. Cloud VA Website at: https://www.va.gov/st-cloud-health-care/ and scroll down to the Get updates from VA St Cloud health care in the grey box. Click on the options you wish and enter your email address and you will be signed up to receive email updates from these four options.
You have received this message because you are subscribed to Veterans Health. Access your Subscriber Preferences to make changes to your subscription or Unsubscribe. Get this as a forward? Sign Up to receive updates from Veterans Health. Having questions or problems? Please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com for assistance.
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