Veterans who usually go to Alexandria for doctor visits are being urged to use telemedicine tools.
“Due to COVID-19 precautionary measures and out of concern for our Veterans, we are honoring current social isolation and distancing guidelines,” said Peter C. Dancy, Jr., medical center director of the Alexandria VA. “Through VA’s virtual care tools, we are able to leverage available technology to make sure that our patients and staff are as safe as possible during this time.
To help the system address our Veterans’ most-urgent needs first, they are asking that Veterans use online tools for routine or non-urgent questions.
Here are some examples:
Telephone or Video Appointments – Veterans can receive care at home — either over the phone or via video using VA Video Connect on their computers, smartphones, or tablets. To set up telephone or video appointments, Veterans can send their provider a secure message on My HealtheVet by visiting myhealth.va.gov [myhealth.va.gov]. Veterans may also call the Alexandria VA Call Center at (318) 466-5083, but VA is requesting that Veterans only call with urgent needs at this time. To learn more about VA Video Connect, visit mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect [mobile.va.gov].
Prescription Refills – Veterans can request prescription refills and order and ship medications to their homes using My HealtheVet or the Rx Refill mobile app. Download the app at mobile.va.gov/app/rx-refill [mobile.va.gov]. Refills can also be called in by phone at 1-800-375-8387 (toll free) or 318-466-2101 (local). Also, if you need a refill sooner, you can reorder your medication and then pick it up at curb side service at the Alexandria VA Medical Center, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Park in front of Building 7 in one of the designated spots, call the number displayed and your meds will be brought to you.
Text Message Reminders – Veterans can use Annie’s Coronavirus Precautions protocol to send automated text messages with information about COVID-19. This application helps Veterans monitor for symptoms and can assist if they need to contact their VA facility for care. Enroll at mobile.va.gov/annie [mobile.va.gov].
Secure Messaging – With My HealtheVet, VA’s online patient portal, Veterans can send online secure messages to your VA health care team to ask them nonurgent health questions. Register at www.myhealth.va.gov [myhealth.va.gov].
For more information about VA’s Connected Care technologies, visit connectedcare.va.gov [connectedcare.va.gov].
