|
PACT-Act Information
New PACT Act Benefits and Services for Gulf War era Veterans
As we continue our work, it is important that employees across VHA are aware of the new law and able to answer questions Veterans and their families may have about the PACT Act. Our PACT Act townhall slides are posted here.
Tuesday, November 8, 2022: The Toxic Exposure Screening goes live at VA medical centers and clinics nationwide
Be Vigilant of PACT-Act Scams
On August 10, President Biden signed the PACT Act into law. This bill will help millions of Veterans and their survivors by:
-
Extending VA health care eligibility for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and Post-9/11 (Post-September 11, 2001) eras
-
Expanding benefits eligibility for Veterans exposed to toxic substances and their survivors
Tips to Avoid PACT Act Scams
Scammers are taking advantage of new opportunities to commit fraud. There’s been an increase in PACT Act-related phishing (email), vishing (phone), and social media scams targeting Veterans to access their PACT Act benefits or submit claims on their behalf.
Veterans should be cautious of anyone who guarantees a lucrative financial benefit or service. To report suspected fraudulent activity, please contact at vaoighotline@va.gov or call (800) 488-8244.
Protect yourself against new scams with these tips:
-
Do not provide personal, benefits, medical, or financial details online or over the phone. Federal agencies will not contact you unless you make a request.
-
Do not click on online ads or engage with social media that seem suspicious.
-
Check for “https://” at the start of website addresses.
-
Enable multi-factor authentication on all accounts.
-
Work with Veteran service providers you already know.
-
Submit any suspected fraud to ftc.gov.
Visit the Cybercrime Support Network for additional resources to help Veterans, service members, and their families combat cybercrime.
Drive Up-Flu Shots
The Wilmington VAMC is offering drive-up Flu Shots via the back covered entrance of the medical center. No appointment is required.
COVID-19 Vaccine Updated Booster Shots
The Wilmington VAMC is offering updated COVID-19 boosters via walk-in on the 1st floor at the main medical center and by appointment at its community-based outpatient clinics.
-
COVID-19 vaccines are no cost. VA also provides free COVID-19 testing to eligible Veterans.
-
It is safe to get both a flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine at the same appointment.
-
Receiving an updated booster will ensure that you are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Staying up to date ensures that you have protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19.
-
If you haven’t yet had your primary series, you should do it now.
-
After you have completed a primary series, you will be eligible for an updated booster 2 months after your last dose.
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 started Monday August 8th, and other services will be live in the near future.
LGBTQ+ HEALTHCARE AT A GLANCE
Barbara Gibbons is the LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator for Wilmington VAMC where she continues to advocate for LGBTQ+ Veteran’s access to safe and affirming care. Barb can be reached on MyHealtheVet by selecting LGBTQ+ Care Coordinator on the drop-down menu, or Veterans can reach her at 302-287-1286 or LGBTQ+ | VA Wilmington Health Care | Veterans Affairs
Theresa Hutchins is the Women Veteran’s Program Manager at the Wilmington VA. The Women Veteran’s Program which works to ensure that women Veterans are provided with timely, equitable, comprehensive, high-quality, healthcare services that are sensitive to the needs of all women Veterans in an environment that respects the dignity, privacy, sensitivity and safety of women Veterans.
The Women Veteran’s Program in Wilmington offers women’s health primary care at the main facility and each of the Community Based Outpatient Clinics. Additional specialty services including gynecological, mental health, LGBTQ, and well-being programs are offered at the main campus and through telehealth.
Know Your Suicide Prevention Coordinators
Joni Newby, LCSW 302-290-7508 Wilmington
Lauren Ruef LCSW at Cape May CBOC, NJ 302-290-6923 Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland Counties in NJ
April Filiaggi LCSW at the Georgetown CBOC DE 302-354-7052 Kent County, Sussex County and Eastern Shore of Maryland
The Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) serves to facilitate the implementation of suicide prevention strategies at a local level at multiple sites. The WVAMC has three SPCs to serve Veterans.
Responsibilities will include providing support for the identification of Veterans at high risk; coordinating advanced care when needed; and providing education to primary care providers, Veterans, family members, and members of the local community on risk factors and warning signs for suicidal behaviors and treatment options.
Nutrition Classes
Anti-inflammatory Class - 2nd & 4th Wednesdays @ 11 am - diet overview for pain, mood, high blood pressure and general healthful eating
Basic Nutrition for Diabetes Class - 1st & 3rd Wednesdays @ 11 am
Carbohydrate Counting for Diabetes Class - 3rd Wednesday @ 2pm
Diabetes support Class - Every Thursday @ 1pm - open enrollment
Please call 302-994-2511 x1810 to schedule
Healthy Teaching Kitchen: Video Series
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.
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.
Eligible for travel pay? A My HealtheVet Premium account grants access to the BTSSS travel pay system, Secure Messaging with your care provider, and online appointment scheduling. Upgrade to a Premium Account to use a single username and password.
https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/ss20200416-upgrade-to-premium-now
Combining electronic filing with direct deposit is the fastest way to get your beneficiary travel payment. While you may still file a paper claim or receive a paper check, paper methods will take longer for staff to process. Here’s how to speed up your claims processing:
1. Sign up for Direct Deposit.
2. Add your banking information to your Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS) profile.
3. File a travel claim electronically with BTSS
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.
Gun Safety
Caregiver & Family Virtual Resource Fair This event on November 10th from 9am – 2pm will provide information for Caregivers and families, along with sharing a host of tools and resources that are available within VA and the community including VA Caregiver Support Program, MyhealtheVet, VA Whole Health, VA Public Affairs, Vet Center, Social Security Administration, Our Military Kids, a mindfulness presentation, and more!
Join the meeting on 11/10 at: VA Wilmington Health Care | Caregiver Support Program Virtual Resource Fair | Veterans Affairs or
Meeting ID: 213 480 965 477 with Passcode: E4GjcV
Or call in (audio only) +1 872-701-0185
with access code: 103310208#
VETERAN INFORMATION SESSION
The Wilmington VA Medical Center and Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) Outreach Specialist will be hosting a presentation on information regarding enrollment, eligibility, services and how to navigate through the VA.
Q & A and one-on-one time will be provided for all Veterans, their families, and caregivers in attendance. Please sign up with the front door greeter or email vhawimoutreachteam@va.gov
Georgetown : Sussex County CBOC (Conference room), 21748 Roth Ave
Georgetown, DE 19947
Dec 7 10:00 – 11:00 am
Jan 11 10:00 – 11:00 am
Feb 1 10:00 – 11:00 am
Mar 1 10:00 – 11:00 am
Dover : Kent County CBOC (Conference room), 655 S Bat Rd Suite 3C
Dover, DE 19901
Dec 8 10:00 – 11:00 am
Jan 12 10:00 – 11:00 am
Feb 8 10:00 – 11:00 am
Mar 2 10:00 – 11:00 am
Veteran Information & Engagement Workshop Series
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Nov 16th, 23rd, 30th
Dec 7th, 2022
Register for a 4-week workshop series designed to empower and educate Veterans, the community, and professionals on Dept. of Veteran Affairs benefits, healthcare, and enrollment.
**Attendance for all sessions not required but encouraged**
5100 E Black Horse Pike
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
BLDG: D1/D2, Room: D141/D143
Questions or to register please E-mail us: VHAWIMOutreachTeam@va.gov
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
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.
|
