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Miami VA Healthcare System

Preparing for your Visit

Prepare for Your Visit

Prepare for a visit: Everyone entering our facilities is screened, and visitors are limited. Face coverings are mandatory. 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.

Your Safe Care is Our Mission

If you are experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, please call 9-1-1 or visit an emergency room closest to you.

VA continues to be cautious as we move into the next phase of resuming additional face-to-face appointments and procedures; the following policies remain in effect:

Visitation Policy: No visitors are allowed, although exceptions may be made in advance for end-of-life or other concerns on a case-by-case basis.
Designated Caregiver/Support Person for Outpatient Appointments or Procedures: One designated caregiver/support person can accompany patients requiring physical or cognitive assistance. Any caregiver or support person needs to be preapproved by your provider before your visit. If you have an upcoming medical procedure, we ask that your support person/driver wait in the designated location or in their vehicle. One of our employees will keep them informed of your progress and when it’s time to pick you up.
COVID-19 Screening: All individuals must pass COVID-19 screening prior to entry to our facilities. Veterans with COVID symptoms will be referred for a clinical evaluation. All other individuals who have COVID-19 symptoms will not be allowed in our facilities.
Masks: Appropriate masks must always be worn while in our facilities.
Read More at Miami VA Healthcare System

War Related Illness and Injury Study Center: Veterans’ Health Matters Podcast Series

Veterans’ Health Matters is a new podcast series sponsored by the War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC), a part of Post Deployment Health Services at the Veterans Health Administration. This series focuses on issues that are important to the healthcare community, Veterans, and their caregivers. This is your source on Veterans health because we know the importance of post-deployment health and that every Veterans’ health matters!

Ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, as well as historic deployments in multiple eras, have resulted in Veterans with a range of post deployment health concerns and the need for providers to understand these concerns and utilize best practices in the identification, assessment, management, and communication of Veteran care. Veterans with complex medical conditions may benefit from a patient centered approach that is rooted in whole health and functional and integrative medicine.

Hear the WRIISC’s subject matter experts provide up to date information ranging from effective communication, to information on nutrition, and much more, that can impact a Veteran’s health. For providers, you’ll get tips and information on improving care for our Nation’s Veterans. For Veterans and their families, we hope you’ll be inspired to work with your healthcare team and take charge of your own health!

Search for Veterans Health Matters and subscribe via Spreaker, Apple Podcast (iTunes), Spotify, Castbox, Deezer, Podcast Addict, Google Podcasts or another preferred streaming platform.
Tune in for biweekly new episodes.*

Click here for Spreaker Platform

Flyer for Veterans’ Health Matters podcast:

Pentagon ‘Very Concerned’ With Military Suicide Trends; Effect of Pandemic on 2020 Rates Unclear

Article from USNI

https://news.usni.org/2020/10/01/pentagon-very-concerned-with-military-suicide-trends-effect-of-pandemic-on-2020-rates-unclear

Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) sing the Navy Hymn during a memorial service for Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Robert “Bobby” John Bartulewicz III on July 14, 2019. US Navy Photo

Pentagon leaders are expressing new concern regarding the rate of suicide in active-duty service members, as the Department of Defense has seen a steady rise in cases over the last five years.

According to the 2019 Annual DoD report, released on Thursday, the overall rate of deaths by suicide across the services rose from 20.2 deaths per 100,000 in 2015 to 25.9 in 2019.

For the Navy, the rate has risen from a 2018 rate of 20.7 deaths per 100,000 to 21.5 per 100,000 in 2019, or an increase from 68 to 72 individual suicides.

For the Marines, the rate has fallen from a 2018 rate of 30.8 per 100,000 to 25.3 per 100,000 in 2019, or an increase from 57 to 47 individual cases. The Army rates held steady at about 29.8 per 100,000 from 2018 to 2019. The Air Force also saw increases, from a 2018 rate of 18.5 per 100,000 to 25.1 per 100,000 in 2019.

While the rates are lower than the general U.S. population of similar demographics, the overall trend matches a national increase in suicide.
read more at USNI link

Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) has expanded.

Please review information at the VA website. This link will take you there directly and gives alot of information about qualifications and how to apply.

VA Care Givers

C & P Exam Locations Open back up.

All C&P Exam Locations Now Open

VA has partnered with specialized contract examiners to resume in-person Compensation & Pension (C&P) exams related to disability benefits at their designated contract facilities and not at VA medical facilities. Your local VA Medical Center (VAMC) will still conduct VA medical appointments and testing related to your health care. Specific safety requirements are still in place for Veterans’ health. While specialty exams are only performed when it is safe, certain areas have allowed removal of personal protective equipment (PPE) in order to complete the appointment.

Final C&P exam location has reopened
Through a joint collaboration with VA contract medical examiners, VA has opened its final location in central Alabama to create a 100% re-opening of locations now scheduling in-person C&P exams for disability compensation claims. For more information regarding locations in your area, please visit: https://benefits.va.gov/compensation/claimexam.asp

Gulf War Veteran Bill Watts Featured in Dept. of Veterans Affairs – Military Exposures and your Health.

Gulf War Veteran William “Bill” Watts, Sr.’s service today focuses on helping fellow Gulf War Vets

Gulf War Veteran William “Bill” Watts, Sr., earned numerous awards during his tours of duty, which included tours in Egypt and Korea along with service as a Gulf War combat Veteran, but the reward he values the most today is the one he receives as an advocate helping his fellow Gulf War Veterans with their individual challenges.

“I am in favor of Veterans helping Veterans. Quality of life begins with quality of health care,” said Watts, whose work with Veterans has earned him the Congressional Veterans Commendation Award. His work includes volunteering with Veterans in his community and meeting with researchers and health professionals to make sure that the health concerns of Gulf War Veterans are recognized and addressed.

Watts and other Gulf War Veterans are now marking their 30 anniversary of their Gulf War service. Watts served in the United States Army from 1989 to 1996, in the 4/5 ADA 1st Cavalry Division, 2nd Infantry Division, 24th Infantry Division and 3rd Infantry Division.

One of Mr. Watts’ passions is helping Gulf War Veterans manage their health problems by finding non-drug alternatives. As a resident of the South Florida city of Doral, he volunteers with the non-profit Fishing with America’s Finest and also serves as the group’s first director of operations. Fishing with America’s Finest takes combat Veterans bass fishing in the Florida Everglades to help reduce the stress and anxiety from PTSD. “We try to teach them to the point that they can go on fishing tounaments if they want to,” he said. He is also a team member of Dive4Vets, a group that takes Veterans who suffer from physical and mental health issues scuba diving to help them heal.

As a Gulf War Veteran, Watts is eligible for the Gulf War Registry and Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry, and enrolled many years ago. “Participating in the registries were pretty easy from what I remember,” he said.

Watts understands that some Gulf War Veterans are older and may not be comfortable with completing an online-only registry like the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry. A local Environmental Health Coordinat or can help with this process.

Watts also is also actively involved in research that benefits Gulf War Veterans. He is a sitting member on VA’s Resea rch Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illness es. He also participates in research on the health of Gulf War Veterans at the Miami VA Hospital and volunteers to coordinate and recruit local Veterans for research.

Watts also has to deal with his own health issues related to Gulf War s ervice. Being as active as possible helps him with his symptoms, along with medications. “You have to be active or it will drive you crazy and bring you down even more,” he said.

Dr. Nancy Klimas Speaks on POST Covid-19 Care.

Department of Veterans Affairs releases new IPAD Program with Apple.

VA announced a new collaboration with Apple to increase Veterans’ access to virtual care benefits. VA’s iPad program provides qualifying Veterans with cellular-enabled iPads to access telehealth services and currently helps more than 50,000 Veterans across the country connect to VA health care services virtually.

Click link to continue readings.

The Calm After the Storm

Living in South Florida you learn that the weather can be unpredictable. The morning is beautiful, bright, and sunny. The early afternoon breaths down on us with high heat and humidity that makes it look like you ran a marathon in 30 seconds as the sweat runs down your forehead. Somewhere around 2 pm thunderstorms role by with torrential winds making everyone scurry to their corner and late for their next appointment. And then… the day becomes clear and crisp with endless amounts of humidity and air that feels smog-free.

It sounds like life! We start of strong and then the trials and tribulations start. Work, traffic, family life, memories of he past, and so much more are like the rainstorm. Once the problem resolves itself, we are back to a nice sunny day.

What is the lesson or moral of the story? It is simply that after every rainstorm, there will be another sunny day. Our problems will come and go. We must find a way to remember that while we are in the rainstorm a brighter day is to come. We must focus on the beautiful end to the situation.

Steven Covey talked about “Begin with the end in mind”. The bible talks about our salvation and the glorious Heaven we win by following God. Goal setting requires us to know what the goal is so we can make it happen. The result can be great if it is part of your daily focus.

Today I encourage you to find that great ending. It is my hope that in some small way I have made your life better. Good Luck!

IRS reopens registration for Economic Impact Payment

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has reopened the registration period for claiming an Economic Impact Payment. Individuals who receive Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Railroad Retirement, or certain Veterans benefits – but didn’t receive the $500 payment per child earlier this year – can still file for the $500 payment.

Eligibility

Federal benefit recipients can use the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool to get a catch-up payment for a qualifying child if:

Have not already used the Non-Filers tool to provide information about their qualifying child
Have not filed their 2019 or 2018 tax return

Social Security, SSI, Railroad Retirement Board beneficiaries, and certain VA recipients who have already used the Non-Filers tool to provide information on children don’t need to take any further action. The IRS will automatically send a payment in October.

How to Apply

Federal benefit recipients can use the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool to get a catch-up payment for a qualifying child. The Non-Filers tool is available on IRS.gov in both English and Spanish. Eligible individuals can use the tool until Wednesday, Sept. 30 to enter information about their qualifying children to receive a catch-up $500 payment per child.

What to Expect

Eligible recipients can check the status of their catch-up payment using the Get My Payment tool on IRS.gov. They will also receive another Notice 1444 in the mail after the payment is issued; this notice should be kept with individual tax records. The payment will be issued in October.

Those who received their original Economic Impact Payment by direct deposit will also have any catch-up payment direct deposited to the same account. Others will receive a check.

Those unable to access the Non-Filers tool may file a simplified paper return following the instructions in this FAQ on IRS.gov.

Anyone who misses the Sept. 30 deadline will need to wait until next year and claim the payment as a credit on their 2020 federal income tax return.