What should you do if you need to reschedule a VA health appointment that was cancelled due to COVID-19?
If you need help rescheduling an appointment that was cancelled due to COVID-19, we’re here to help.
Some appointments can be made online.
Do not delay getting in-person care. Make sure you’re taking care of the medical needs you would have addressed before COVID-19, like renewing prescriptions and having regular check-ins with your care team. If you feel like something is not quite right and you would normally see a doctor during non-COVID-19 times, call your care team. It is far better to have someone on your care team review your symptoms than wait until it’s harder to treat them.
Ways to make an appointment
If you or VA canceled an appointment due to COVID-19, you can contact us anytime to reschedule. The fastest way to schedule an appointment is to contact your VA health care provider directly. Here’s how you can do that:
- Send a secure message to your care team. https://www.va.gov/health-care/secure-messaging/
- Call your care team. Find your VA health facility’s phone number. https://www.va.gov/find-locations
You can also request some types of appointments — such as primary care and mental health — online through our VA appointments tool: https://www.va.gov/health-care/schedule-view-va-appointments/
We encourage you to consider a phone or video appointment for routine needs. Once you make a telehealth appointment, you will receive further instructions about how to join. Learn about VA Video Connect: https://mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect
Concerned about coming in?
As our facilities expand in-person services that were paused due to the coronavirus pandemic, we want you to feel confident knowing your safety and wellbeing remain our number one priority at VA.
At VA, safety is more than a checklist. It’s part of our culture and the foundation of everything we do. This video tells that story.
Sometimes, there’s no substitute for in-person care.
No substitute for in-person care for severely ill
We continue to maximize virtual care services as we know these services have been valuable to you.
However, for those who are severely ill or require intervention for life-threatening conditions, there is no substitute for in-person care. VA is ready, and we’re able to handle your immediate health care needs right now.
A virtual appointment — phone, video, secure message — is a great way to check in with your care team to review your symptoms and discuss appropriate care plans.
Masks and screening when you check in
If you go to a VA health facility for an in-person appointment, you’ll need to wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose. You’ll also need to complete our COVID-19 symptom screening when you arrive.
These measures are only a few ways in which we are working to keep you safe. We earned a trust score above 90% in a recent Veteran survey. We will continue to earn your trust by providing safe care, always. Please ask facility staff if you have questions about your safety or your care.
Dr. Susan Kirsh is the acting deputy under secretary for Health for Access. Mia Powers-Higgins is project manager for the Office of Veterans Access to Care.
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VA hospitals are a joke!
We received a call from the Wilmington VA hospital to schedule a dental appt. for the same day my husband had another appointment. I asked what were the chances these 2 would be kept because so many had already been canceled. I was told that these would definitely be kept. A few weeks after that, we received another call trying to make a dental appt for January 2021. I said we already had one and was told none was ever made and the second appt was canceled the day before. As of this date, he has no scheduled spots up-coming. The VA needs to get their act together. Veterans are suffering!!
The VA here in Richmond made an appointment for me. I had no idea! No email, post card or phone call. When I did not show up because I had no knowledge of it, I got a letter stating that because I missed my appointment I was no longer a patient at the VA hospital. I think they hate vets.
My care at the Cincinnati va has been a great experience and has exceed my expectations
Thanks to all of the great people working there.
My August Eye Clinic appt was cancelled by staff months ago, as was my dermatology appt. I fully understand, but no one notified me. I found out by checking the VA Health website! Recently asked about the derm appt through the Secure Messaging and received a full explanation why they want to wait a few more months. Non-emergency, so I’m fine with that.
I have no way to message the Eye clinic to get an update as they are not an addressee in my Secure Messaging.
Tried today to get a PCP appt online, but found out that James A Haley is not participating at this time. So, I called and waited in a queue for over one hour around 9 am. I had to continue my day, so no appt yet.
By the way, I would like to change my PCP as we have some differences of opinion. How can I go about doing that?
I am a big supporter of JAH. Almost always have had the best experiences both in patient and out. Never had a bad experience! Gotta say that my time in SCI (hip replacement PT rehab) was outstanding!
Keep On Doing What You Are Doing!!
Good luck getting a derm appt. I can’t get one.
I have requested an in person appointment numerous times and keep getting told virtual appointments only. Also, it took nearly 2 hours of calling before finally speaking with someone. I used the on line appointment tool. This is what happened BOTH times:
1. Requested appointment on line
2. One week before the appointment, I received an email saying my appointment has been cancelled.
3. No further explanation given.
My team will only give me a physical virtually. How are vitals, such as BP, lungs, etc….. being checked? How would the DR know if I’m developing HBP? I served my country in person so I expect in person care, not excuses such as “ I don’t know”.
Too much trouble to care for vets!
Is this a trick question? You can not achedule or reschedule appointments by sending a secure message. You have to wait for 30 minutes on hold and answer covid questions every time you call its ridiculous and i had 15 appointments cancelled that the VA to this day refuses to reschedule…. The administration of VA os a joke and kills veterans through bureaucratic red tape and policies that destroy a BASIC standard of care.
When can I get my eye exam reschedule?
I am having trouble finding an affordable dentist. Are there any dentist in the Orange Park, FL/Jacksonville area that you can recommend? Also, what is the address and phone number of the new VA Health Center in Middleburg, FL?
Hello Sir or Ma’am
I ‘m writing this letter to let you know that your Cumberland County Va hospital is not very good. My husband had an appointment this morning for the first time after waiting six months to see a doctor. The doctor was more worried about getting off the phone with my husbands then about is health issues. When we were talking to him about the issues he just keep telling us that they don’t do that at the clinic and didn’t want to make an referrals for my husband .Is is so had to say but we well be seeking an outside doctor to help my husband with is health issues .
That clinic needs to learn how to treat there vets better and treat them with respect