Accessing Care at Coatesville
The changes can affect when, where and how Veterans access their care and understanding what services we offer will save Veterans time and frustration when Veterans try to access their care.
As Coatesville VA Medical Center continues to respond to the Coronavirus 2019 situation we continue to adjust and clarify our operations and services to our Veterans.
The changes can affect when, where and how Veterans access their care and understanding what services we offer will save Veterans time and frustration when Veterans try to access their care.
Please keep the following in mind when considering your options for care and for the most up-to-date information, go to our website and click on the More Details link in the yellow Alert message at the top of page.
No Emergency Room at Coatesville VAMC
If you develop severe symptoms of COVID-19, go to the nearest Emergency Room or call 9-1-1. Severe symptoms include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, elevated fever, and persistent pressure or pain in the chest. Urgent Care is available during the hours listed below. If you feel sick or have a health care question, call 610-384-7711, and choose option #3.
Urgent Care Center Hours
The Urgent care center is open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on weekends and federal holidays. If you experience a minor illness or injuries contact the 24-hour medical care advice-line, call 610-384-7711 and choose option #3 before departing. For a medical or mental health emergency, please call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room. The Suicide Prevention Veterans Crisis Line is 1-800-273-8255, then, press 1.
Call First
Veterans with flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath should call 610-383-0239 before visiting your local medical center or clinic. The nurse will review your symptoms, provide care recommendations and suggest next treatment steps, if necessary.
Access to the Campus
How Veterans access the campus has changed. Front Hill from Business Route 30 and the main gate are closed. To protect our Veterans and staff, all employees, Veterans, volunteers, vendors and contractors need to show a photo ID and be screened for COVID-19 symptoms upon entry to the campus. Everyone entering the campus will need to enter through the COVID-19 screening station, parking lot D entrance.
Click here to view a campus map with entrance and screening points.
Appointments
Extended clinic hours have been cancelled through May 2, 2020. We are currently reducing in-person appointments. When possible, we will convert Veteran's appointments to a telehealth appointment or reschedule routine and follow up appointments. To change an appointment Veterans may call 610-383-0239. To get started with a telehealth appointment call the National VA Telehealth Help Desk at 866-651-3280 or 703-234-4483 and then press 1 or visit https://mobile.va.gov.
Limited Pharmacy Pickups
As of March 30, in order to ensure the safety of staff and Veterans through social distancing, the pharmacy pick-up window will only be available to patients with urgent needs. "Urgent needs" is defined as Veterans who have been seen in urgent care or when service chiefs and pharmacy chiefs have coordinated special pick-up arrangements for the Veteran. All other prescriptions will be delivered by mail. Once social distancing is no longer required, we will reinstitute pick up services. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause.
VA Copayments and the Agent Cashier Window
Due to social distancing requirements, the Agent Cashier window is not accepting in-person payment of VA copay bills. Until the restrictions are lifted, you may pay your bill using one of three methods:
- Pay online directly from your bank account or by debit or credit card on the secure Pay.gov website.
- Pay by phone using a debit or credit card by calling us at 610-384-7711, Ext. 4445 or Ext. 4442. We can accept phone payments Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Pay by mail by sending your payment stub, along with a check or money order made payable to "DVA," to the address below. Be sure to include your account number on the check or money order.
Department of Veterans Affairs
Attn: Agent Cashier (04D)
1400 Black Horse Hill Road
Coatesville, PA 19320
Events
We are not holding any group events and are postponing all group meetings, sessions and events until further notice. Program coordinators are working to provide virtual events in place of in-person events where feasible. If you have questions regarding groups you normally attend, please contact the coordinator for up to date information.
Volunteers
Voluntary Services is not accepting their normal donations but have asked for donations of homemade masks, sweet and salty snacks, and monetary donations. Volunteers should call the office at 610-384-7711 extension 4272 for the most up to date information.
Visitors
Visitors are not permitted on campus at this time. This includes, but is not limited to, family, friends, personal rides, and taxi-like services. Veterans entering the campus are permitted one escort or guest. These restrictions extend to our residential programs located in the domiciliary facilities, Grant and Per Diem Programs, and Community Living Center (CLC). The only exception is for family members of hospice patients who coordinate approval with the CLC staff in advance.
Read VA's latest information on the new coronavirus at https://www.publichealth.va.gov/n-coronavirus/.