DC-Area Veterans If you have symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath, call 202-745-8000, option 3, before visiting us. The DC VA Medical Center is currently using a phased framework to resume services which were put on hold due to the coronavirus.
Moving Forward Together: Safe Care Is Our Mission
We are moving forward together to resume services in phases as the safety of Veterans and staff remains a top priority. Phase 1 includes offering face-to-face appointments at 25% of our pre-COVID-19 volume, as long as appropriate physical distancing can be maintained within the clinic areas. Face-to-face appointments and procedures will be prioritized based on Veterans with the greatest need. Providers are contacting Veterans directly to schedule in-person appointments.
Veterans who feel they need a face-to-face appointment may contact their VA provider via secure messaging or the Nurse Advice Line, 202-745-8000, option 3. Telephone and virtual appointments continue to be readily available by contacting the Call Center, 202-745-8000, option 2. If you’re interested in receiving care through VA Video Connect, speak with your VA care team first to see if it is right for you. For more information about VA Video Connect, visit: https://mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect
100% COVID-19 Screening
All who enter the DC VA Medical Center are screened for COVID-19 symptoms. To speed up the process, use the COVID-19 Fast Pass pre-screening tool from your smart phone. Fast Pass is easily accessed by texting the word "Screen" to 53079, by visiting the website: www.va.gov/covid19screen or scanning the QR code located here: https://www.washingtondc.va.gov/news/Moving_Forward_Together.asp and answering the COVID-19 screening questions. Then, just show your “OK to Proceed” screen to the employee at the entrance.
If you have symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath, call 202-745-8000, option 3, before visiting the medical center. More Details
or check our our Current Operating Status
Alert
If you have symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath, call us at 304-263-0811, then press 3, before visiting us. For other concerns, you may be able to access VA care from home by phone or using VA virtual care options. More Details
For VA-specific information: Read our coronavirus FAQs and public health response, or use our coronavirus chatbot.
Prepare for a visit: Everyone entering our facilities is screened, and visitors are limited. Face coverings are mandatory: we encourage you to bring your own, or you can use one we provide. Please contact us first before going to any of our locations. For some needs, you may be able to get care at home by phone or video.
For the latest coronavirus information: Visit the CDC website.
or check out our Current Operating Status
Situation Update - Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center - Richmond, VA
06/04/2020 12:15 PM EDT
Operating status is "Limited Services."
Veterans can use My HealtheVet to contact their CBOC teams.
Thank you for your patience as we work to keep both our patients and staff safe. Your service to our country is appreciated, and we are here to serve you! Please let us know how we can assist.
Families find comfort in bereavement support
COVID Bereavement Response is a new program at Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVHCS) that seeks to help families cope with grief and bereavement, or when general support is needed. The program’s goal is to prevent a chronic and debilitating condition known as complicated grief.
“Veteran families and caregivers represent the main source of support to our Nation’s heroes,” Murphey said. “Removing their ability to physically and emotionally support their Veteran family member [at the end of their life] can be a catalyst to complicated grief.”
Read more
or check out our Current Operating Status
VA offers debt relief to Veterans through year’s end
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced its commitment to extend debt relief to Veterans adversely impacted by COVID-19 to the end of 2020 by suspending certain debt collection actions. The department recognizes Veterans and beneficiaries are still being greatly impacted by the coronavirus prompting the extension of financial relief.
“Veterans and their families should be focused on their health and safety during the pandemic,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “VA is taking action to give those with pending debts greater flexibility during these challenging times.”
VA is suspending all actions on Veteran debts under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Treasury Department. This includes the suspension of collection action or extending repayment terms on preexisting VA debts, whichever the Veteran prefers.
For benefit debts, Veterans should contact the VA Debt Management Center at 1-800-827-0648.
For health care debts, Veterans should contact the Health Resource Center at 1-866-400-1238 or https://www.pay.gov for payments.
Central Virginia VA Health Care System surpasses 18,000 video visits
VA Video Connect visits increase over 1000% nationwide during COVID-19 pandemic
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced that video telehealth appointments to Veterans’ homes increased over 1000%, as Veterans increasingly chose virtual care through VA Video Connect during the Covid-19 pandemic. In Richmond’s total catchment area, the Central Virginia VA Health Care System has conducted over 18,000 appointments between the start of fiscal year 2020 until early July.
VA Video Connect allows Veterans and their caregivers to meet virtually with their VA healthcare providers by using a computer, tablet, or smart phone with an email address and an internet connection. As in-person interactions decreased in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, VA Video Connect supported Veterans’ abilities to continue care and remain safely at home. Usage of video to home or the Veteran’s preferred site of care, has increased dramatically since mid-March.
The increase at Central Virginia VA Health Care System represents an almost 1800% increase from October of 2019. Other telehealth milestones include:
The Central Virginia VA Health Care System has rapidly adopted VVC with 89% of Primary Care Providers, 74% of Mental Health Providers, and 65% of Specialty Providers utilizing VVC to serve patients in their homes.
Over 57 clinical specialties offer services to the home through VVC including several different types of medical specialties, surgical disciplines, rehabilitation therapies & transplant services.
Some Veterans referred to Dermatology can submit pictures of their skin problems through secure email to start the treatment process at home.
Over the last 10 months, the Central Virginia VA Health Care System has provided care to over 13,000 unique Veterans through telehealth.VA is also taking strides to bridge the digital divide for Veterans who lack the technology or broadband internet connectivity required to participate in VA telehealth services. At the national level, VA is working with strategic partners, through the VA Secretary’s Center of Strategic Partnerships, to increase access to the technology that Veterans need to connect with their VA health care team virtually.
