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PACT-Act Information
PACT Act/Town Hall/Vendor Fair
December 16, 2022
VA Health and Wellness Fair
11:30am - 1:00pm
PACT Act Town Hall
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Maj. Joseph R. "Beau" Biden III
National Guard/Reserve Conference Center
250 Airport Rd
New Castle, DE 19720
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:
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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
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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.
Be Vigilant of PACT-Act Scams
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:
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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.
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Do not click on online ads or engage with social media that seem suspicious.
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Check for “https://” at the start of website addresses.
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Enable multi-factor authentication on all accounts.
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Work with Veteran service providers you already know.
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Submit any suspected fraud to ftc.gov.
Visit the Cybercrime Support Network for additional resources to help Veterans, service members, and their family's combat cybercrime.
Retired VA Phone Number
Retired VA phone number may be putting Veterans' information at risk. The Department of Veterans Affairs established 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411) in 2020 to help Veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors understand and access the broad spectrum of VA benefits and services.
VA's previous information number, 1-844-MyVA311, was retired at that time. Since that transition, 1-844-MyVA311 has been repurposed by a non-federal entity claiming to be a medical equipment provider. Veterans may try to call VA using the 1-844-MyVA311 number and unintentionally divulge personal information.
It is imperative that Veterans are informed that 1-800-MyVA411 is the appropriate number to call for information regarding:
- COVID-19 updates
- Health care eligibility and enrollment
- VA benefits, such as disability, compensation and pension, education programs, caregiver support, insurance, home loans, and burial headstones and markers among others
- The nearest VA medical centers, benefits offices or cemeteries to Veterans, VA Medical Center operational updates and connection to VA Medical Center operators
- Directory assistance and technical support for www.VA.gov
- Debt and payment options
Women's Health
This December 2022, VA Women’s Health is encouraging women Veterans to develop coping strategies to help manage their stress and seek additional help and support from VA if needed.
Depression is the most common diagnosis among women Veterans. Women Veterans also experience other mental health concerns like posttraumatic stress disorder at rates higher than non-Veteran women.
Symptoms for mental health concerns vary. For depression, symptoms may include feeling sad or hopeless almost every day or losing interest in activities that used to be enjoyable. For anxiety, symptoms include feeling restless, jumpy, or on edge, or excessively worrying about everyday decisions.
Mental health concerns can affect women Veterans’ quality of life dramatically. The good news is that effective treatments are available at VA. Women Veterans can receive therapy specific to their mental health concern, individual values, and goals; as well as be prescribed medication if needed.
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
- valid telephone numbers
- 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.
Applying for Medical Debt Relief-A Simplified Process for Veterans
Veterans can now apply online for medical debt relief via the new online debt access webpage: https://www.va.gov/manage-va-debt/. Veterans may also continue to apply for medical debt relief either through a Facility Revenue Office or by calling the Health Resource Center (HRC).
Objective income threshold criteria are now being used for the processing and consideration of debt relief, and supplemental documents to support requests are no longer be recommended for submission of applications. Materials can be used in the field to inform Veterans about this simplified and streamlined application process! Check out the VANews story. Find out more on Comm Site. For questions, contact Alysse Mengason at 801-258-1656.
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 travel claims 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
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.
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
Veteran's Health Fair
The Wilmington VA Outreach team is holding a VA Veterans Health Fair on Dec. 13th in Kent County and on Dec. 14th in Sussex County. Both events will be from 1:00-3:00 pm.
Kent County VA Health Fair Dec 13
DelVets Post 2
720 Pear Street, Dover, DE 19904
Sussex County VA Health Fair Dec 14
AmVets Post 2
32592 Long Neck Rd. Millsboro DE 19966
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.
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