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VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York - VISN 2
Outpatient Care Services
Access to VA Care
If you need information regarding your medical
benefits, please visit our Health Benefits Advisor in
the Veterans Service Center on the east end of the
hospital's second floor.
Outpatient Primary Care
Every patient who enrolls with a VA health care facility is assigned to a primary care provider. This provider is part of a Primary Care Team designed to coordinate all of the services you need to meet your health care needs. Whether that team is located in a VA medical center or in one of our community based outpatient clinics, your primary care visit will be set up and scheduled at your convenience.
During your visit:
- You will meet your assigned primary care provider
- You will have a physical examination.
- Your primary care provider will determine if you need any additional diagnostic testing, which may include blood/lab work, X-ray, EKG, etc.
- A complete medical history will be obtained. Bring a list of your current medications.
- Initial screenings may be done regarding your use of tobacco, alcohol, risk factors for Hepatitis C, and any history of military sexual trauma.
- Appropriate referrals for specialists will be made as necessary.
Preventive health maintenance is a strong emphasis within primary care at VA. Primary care providers provide annual physical examinations and screenings. This aids in finding any health changes and the early start of appropriate medical treatment. This may prevent or lessen major medical problems for you in the future. You can expect your primary care provider to discuss preventive health activities such as:
- Vaccines: flu, tetanus, pneumonia
- Depression screening
- Women's health issues: regular Pap smears and mammograms
- Education on prostate cancer screening for men over 50
- Colon cancer screening for anyone over 50
- Regular exercise and good nutrition to keep you healthy
Primary care providers and teams also evaluate any emergency medical needs between scheduled visits, arrange medication refills, answer questions about medications and order consultation by specialists.
Our goal in primary care is to improve the coordination of your health care needs. This will allow our health care professionals to provide the best care possible.
Additionally, the Bath VA Medical Center provides
the following outpatient services:
Audiology and Speech Therapy
Cardiology, (Noninvasive/Diagnostic)
Dental
Dermatology
Dietetic Support
EKG/Stress Testing
Home Based
Hospice
Laboratory Service
Neurology
Occupational Therapy
Ophthalmology
Optometry
Orthopedics
Pharmacy
Physical Therapy
Podiatry
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Primary Care
Psychiatry
Radiology
Recreational Therapy
Respiratory Therapy
Respite
Social Work
Substance Abuse Services
Urology
Women's Health Services
Many of these services require your primary care
doctor order a consultation. You should talk to your
health care team if you need any of these services.
They will help you get the care you need. Additional
services may be obtained through other VAs
and/or contracted facilities. Please discuss all your
needs with your health care team.
Emergency Care Services
Universal access to appropriate emergency services is a cornerstone of basic health care in the United States and the Bath VA is committed to providing timely and high-quality emergency care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Emergency Department's primary responsibility is to provide resuscitative therapy and stabilization in life-threatening situations. Patients needing trauma care are advised to proceed to the nearest hospital providing trauma services.
Telcare
Telcare is a toll-free medical advice line for veterans and their families. It is a program of qualified professionals (registered nurses) who provide telephone access to clinical care 24 hours per day, 7 days per week (including weekends and holidays) throughout Central and Western New York. Call Telcare at 1-888-838-7890 with your medical and health care questions or concerns. If you need emergency care, you will be instructed on where to receive immediate attention.
Clinic Appointments
Unless it is an emergency, we ask that you call your primary health care team to make an appointment for your care. In the case of an emergency, our Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Please help us provide timely care to all veterans. If you cannot keep your appointment, notify your primary health care team or specialty clinic as soon as possible so we can schedule another veteran at that time and reschedule an appointment for you.
To schedule, cancel or change an appointment please contact:
Red Team – 607-664-4614
White Team – 607-664-4626
Specialty Clinic – 607- 664-4608
Cancellation Line (after administrative hours) - 877-845-3247, option 3
Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic – 888-228-4361 or 607-664-4571
Elmira Community Based Outpatient Clinic – 877-845-3247, option 1
Wellsville Community Based Outpatient Clinic – 877-845-3247, option 2
Telcare Nurse – 607-664-4630
Pharmacy Refills – 800-585-9772 automated or 607-664-4413
Community Based Outpatient Clinics
The Bath VA may have a community based outpatient
clinic that is closer to your home. Community
based clinics are affiliated with the Bath VA Medical
Center and are committed to helping you meet your
health care needs. A health care team of licensed
doctors, nurses and clerical staff will provide you
with primary care services, monitoring your health
needs and educating you on preventive medicine.
Inpatient or specialty care will continue to be
accessed through the Bath facility. Please contact
the Health Benefits Advisor or consult your health
care team about the nearest community based
outpatient clinic.
Changing Your Doctor
If your doctor leaves the Bath VA, a letter will be
sent to you offering you another medical professional
who can continue your care and treatment.
If desired, you may at any time, request that you
be assigned a different doctor. Changes can be
requested by contacting the Patient Advocate.
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| Reviewed/Updated Date: December 29, 2006 |
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