Bay Pines VAHCS reactivating services following Hurricane Irma
BAY PINES, FL Recovery operations continue across the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System following Hurricane Irma. The Bay Pines VAHCS continues to operate in a limited capacity, however, restoration and reopening of services and clinics is under way.
At the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center, the Emergency Department is now open. Primary Care and Mental Health walk-in appointments are now available in MOD A, building 100. Patient visitations from family members and others are no longer restricted. Visitors may visit their loved ones according the normal hospital policy. The Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) Cafeteria and Patriot Store reopened for regular business hours.
The Lee County Healthcare Center is now accepting walk-in appointments for Primary Care and Mental Health. Primary Care walk-in appointments only are now available at our Bradenton, Port Charlotte, and St. Petersburg Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).
Effective Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, services at the following locations will be restored and reopened for regular business:
* C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center
* Lee County Healthcare Center
* Bradenton CBOC
* Port Charlotte CBOC
* St. Petersburg CBOC
CBOCs located in Naples, Palm Harbor, Sarasota and Sebring will remain closed until further notice. Closed clinics will be reopened as soon as possible.
VA’s Pharmacy Disaster Relief Plan remains available for veterans impacted by clinic closures. Eligible patients with Veterans Health Identification in need of an emergency supply of medications can go to any retail pharmacy open to the public with a written prescription or active VA prescription bottle, not older than 6 months and with refills available, to receive a 10-day supply. This does not include controlled substances.
If a VA patient is displaced, has lost medications or no longer has a written prescription or bottle, he or she can contact the Heritage Health Customer Care Line at 1-866-265-0124, option 1. Heritage operating hours during Hurricane Irma are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., EST and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., EST.
Veterans, their beneficiaries and caregivers may also contact the VA’s Health Resource Center Disaster Hotline at 1-800-507-4571, regarding VA health benefits, eligibility, billing and pharmacy-related inquiries, during the storm period.
For updated information about clinic closures and other important announcements, please call 727-398-9500 or visit: www.baypines.va.gov. You can also receive updated information by liking us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/VAbaypines or following us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/vabaypines.
Source: Bay Pines VA Healthcare System