WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today, as of mid-June, more than 100 VA medical facilities and medical centers (VAMCs) have reinstated at least one in-person service within their direct health care delivery system after certain services were temporarily on hold or reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
VA leadership reviews and considers many factors daily, including community infection rates, to determine when it is safe for a facility to expand services.
“We will continue to provide a safe environment for both Veterans and employees,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “VA will also ensure the safety of patients and employees are a priority when implementing which Veterans Health Administration facilities move forward with expanding in-person services.”
The department’s focus has been to provide in-person care to Veterans who have the greatest clinical need during the pandemic — while VAMCs remain open for urgent and emergency care services. For non-emergent care, telehealth appointments have been a valuable link between VA and Veterans during this challenging time, however, Veterans should not delay contacting their care team to make an appointment if they have a medical concern.
VA continues to increase telehealth appointments for Veterans not in need of in-person services, which has now seen more than a 1,000% increase — totaling more telehealth visits in March 2020 than in all of 2019.
VA will continue to use and expand innovative personalized telehealth options, phone consults and wellness checks regardless of a Veteran’s geographic location. For information on which VAMCs are providing in-person services, contact the local VAMC directly.
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Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov
Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.
Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.
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