VVA Chapter PI 887

I wanted to take a moment to share some personal news with the Veteran community in the Philippines. This will be my last email update to you as the Manila Clinic Manager. I will be departing the Philippines and ending my tenure with VA on June 24. I have accepted appointment as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. State Department, and I am looking forward to continuing my public service career in a new and exciting way. I will begin my new assignment after July 4th with several months of training in Washington, before being directed to a US Embassy or Consulate somewhere in the world, still to be determined. I’m both anxious and exhilarated with the prospects and new adventures that lie ahead.

When I started my VA career as a summer intern at my hometown VA hospital in Cleveland in the summer of 2005, I wasn’t quite sure of what to expect. I never thought VA would turn into such an amazing career, offering endless opportunities for professional growth and development, all while giving me the opportunity to show my gratitude to the men and woman who served in the US Armed Forces. It has been an honor to help Veterans both at home and now abroad, and I will remember my time in the Philippines fondly. I will miss the many Veterans who I have forged friendships and partnerships with. I will miss the unique problems and situations that I have worked to solve in this role at VA’s only overseas facility, especially throughout a global pandemic. Perhaps most of all though, I will miss the talented and dedicated local staff who deliver services to Veterans each and every day. I have never been prouder to lead a team as I am of the staff here at the Manila Outpatient Clinic. They are truly this clinic’s best asset, and I know they will continue to deliver the best healthcare services they can to our Veterans, long after I am gone.

My Deputy, Elizabeth Harris, will be acting as the Clinic Manager temporarily until a permanent replacement is named. I know you are in very capable hands with her, and she shares my keen interest in supporting Veterans and improving processes and services.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you, and for the trust you place in VA and VA Manila as your healthcare provider. I wish each of you all the best going forward in this beautiful country. Fair winds and following seas – maraming maraming salamat, po.

VA MANILA’S PATIENT CHECK-IN PROCESS IS CHANGING NEXT MONTH

VA is in the process of deploying a new patient-centered check in system here at the Manila Outpatient Clinic, one that you can do directly from your mobile device. This new system will replace the current kiosk check-in process that we have used in Manila for the last several years. With it, Veterans will be able to ‘pre-check-in’ for their appointments from home via a VetTEXT text message up to 7 days ahead of your appointment. When you arrive at the Clinic on your appointment day, you will officially check in for your appointment via a QR code. I’ve attached a handout with additional information on this process for your reference.

We will be deploying this new system over the next few weeks, and plan to be fully transitioned by mid-July. We will have additional staff on hand to assist Veterans with IT issues related to this system and to help educate and demonstrate how to use it. And, if checking-in via mobile phone does not work for you, it is always our pleasure to manually check you in at the Clinic upon your arrival if you should so choose. To fully utilize this new system, please make sure VA has your mobile phone number on file with your patient record system. You can verify this information online via MyHealtheVet or at your next appointment.

We appreciate your patience as we update and modernize our Clinic procedures to provide you a better patient experience.

COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATES:

VA Manila is continuing to provide eligible Veterans with a second booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Due to greater than expected demand, VA Manila has added additional booster appointment slots on July 9, 2022. At this point, we are fully booked for our COVID Vaccine Clinics on June 11 and June 25. If you would like to schedule a booster shot appointment on July 9, 2022, please reach out to the Clinic following the instructions below. Our current vaccine supply is good to use until July 14, 2022, and at this time we are uncertain if we will receive further vaccine supplies. If you’d like a booster, now is your time.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A SECOND COVID-19 VACCINE BOOSTER?

VA Manila is closely following the US CDC Guidelines for administering second booster doses to Veterans. Currently, US CDC is recommending second booster doses for the following individuals:

· Adults ages 50 years and older

· People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised

· People who got 2 doses (1 primary and 1 booster) of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

Additional information on eligibility and recommendations for second booster shots is available from:

· VA: COVID-19 Booster Shots And Additional Doses | Veterans Affairs (va.gov);

· US CDC: COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters | CDC.

WHEN WILL THE BOOSTER CLINICS BE HELD?

The Clinic will be conducting mass vaccine clinics on the following dates to accommodate the large numbers of Veterans who wish to receive a booster dose:

Saturday, June 11, 2022 9A to 2P – fully booked

Saturday, June 25, 2022 9A to 2P – fully booked

Saturday, July 9, 2022 9A to 2P (approx. 100 slots still available)

Vaccines will be provided on a scheduled basis only, and the Clinic will not be able to accommodate walk-in appointments during these mass vaccine clinics. Veterans do not need to arrive at the Clinic more than 15 minutes ahead of your scheduled booster appointment. VA Manila is planning to vaccinate around 300 Veterans each of these days, so please do not arrive more than 15 minutes before your appointment so we can be sure we have sufficient waiting space. If you arrive earlier, you may be asked to wait outside of the Clinic.

HOW CAN I BE SCHEDULED FOR MY BOOSTER DOSE?

There are three ways to be schedule for your COVID-19 Booster dose:

· Email ManilaCOVIDVaccine@va.gov with your preferred date and time. If the Clinic can schedule you within one hour of your preferred time, we will make the appointment and send you a confirmation email.

· Send a secure message within MyHealtheVet to your Internal Medicine Provider with your preferred date and time. If the Clinic can schedule your appointment within one hour of your preferred time, we will make the appointment and send you a confirmation message.

· Call VA Manila to make a booster appointment at +63 (2) 8550-3888, Option 2.

OTHER COVID-19 VACCINE REMINDERS/ALERTS:

1. VA Manila received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine with this shipment, and it will be the only available option that we can offer at this time. It is unlikely that VA Manila will receive other types of COVID-19 vaccines in the future, such as Moderna or Johnson & Johnson / Janssen. Veterans who would prefer to receive these vaccines should consider contacting their local or provincial governments.

2. The Clinic will not be able to provide booster doses or COVID-19 vaccines to non-service-connected Veterans or spouses/caregivers, even if you previously received a vaccine from the Clinic between July and September 2021. As I have shared with Veterans in the past, in September 2021, VA Manila received guidance that the SAVES LIVES Act, which allows VA to provide vaccines to all Veterans, spouses, and caregivers, did not extend to foreign countries. I apologize and appreciate your understanding.

3. Please remember to bring your COVID-19 vaccine card. We will document your second booster dose on your previous White CDC vaccine card. The OPC has a very limited supply of additional cards, so our preference is to update your current vaccine card with this additional booster dose.

4. In addition to providing second booster doses, with this arriving vaccine shipment, VA Manila will be able to resume providing all service-connected Veterans with their primary 2 dose vaccine series. If you are a service-connected Veteran in the Philippines and have not yet received a COVID-19 vaccine or a first booster dose and would like one, please email: ManilaCOVIDVaccine@va.gov with your name, address, contact information, and include that you would like to be scheduled for your first COVID-19 vaccine / booster. A member of the Manila Clinic Staff with reach out to you.

As I have said many times in previous messages, getting a COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to keep yourself and your loved ones safe, and to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Thank you in advance for doing your part to protect yourselves and your communities.

UPCOMING CLINIC CLOSURES:

The U.S. Embassy, along with the VA Manila Regional Office and Outpatient Clinic, will be closed in recognition of the following public holidays:

US – Juneteenth National Independence Day – Monday, June 20

US – Independence Day – Monday, July 4

PH – National Heroes Day – Monday, August 29

NOTE: Plan and order your refills 10 workdays in advance of holiday closures. Air21 is also closed on these holidays so medications will be delayed if you fail to request refills 10 days in advance. If you run out of medications for a service-connected condition, you can buy a short-term supply of needed medicine and file a claim for reimbursement from the FMP.

VA MANILA REGIONAL OFFICE AND OUTPATIENT CLINIC TELEPHONE NUMBERS

VA Manila Main Line – +63 (02) 8550-3888

VA Manila Toll Free Phone: +63 1 (800) 1888-5252; or

#MyVA (#6982)

AudioCare (Pharmacy Refills): +63 (02) 8556-8387

Clinical Fax (Medical Records): +63 (02) 8550-3964

Patient Advocate: +63 (02) 8396-3716

Clinic Manager:+63 (02) 8396-3735

Option 1 – Regional Office

Option 2 – Outpatient Clinic

Option 3 – Transfer to Veterans Evaluation Services (VES)

Option 4 – Transfer to the Foreign Medical Program’s Hotline

Option 5 – Transfer to VBA Offices in the United States

Option 6 – Transfer to the VA MISSION Act Hotline

Option 7 – Transfer to the Veteran’s Crisis Line

Option 8 – Transfer to VA Manila’s AudioCare Line (Pharmacy Refills)

PLEASE DON’T NO-SHOW!!! REMINDER TO CANCEL APPOINTMENTSThis serves as a friendly reminder to all Veterans who use the VA Manila Outpatient Clinic for their medical care, please cancel any appointments that you will not be able to keep. When Veterans do not cancel appointments, VA loses an opportunity to provide medical services to your fellow Veterans, decreases provider productivity, and requires additional administrative time from our staff to reschedule appointments. Ideally, we ask that Veterans notify the VA Outpatient Clinic at least 48 hours in advance of their appointment if you determine you have a scheduling conflict. This allows the Clinic’s Advanced Medical Support Assistants (AMSAs) to reach out to other Veterans waiting for care to offer them the new time slot. Veterans should also receive a confirmation text 7 days and 2 days before a scheduled appointment.

Please be considerate to your fellow Veterans and do your part if you have a scheduled appointment that you won’t be able to keep. You can reach the clinic at +63 (2) 8550-3888, Option 2, or toll free at #MyVA (#6982) from any mobile phone.

COMPLETION OF VA AND NON-VA MEDICAL FORMS

VHA privacy and release of information policies and procedures are applied to releasing any VA or Non-VA Medical statements or medical forms completed on behalf of the Veteran.

· VA Providers can complete medical statements/forms with respect to a Veterans’ medical condition and functionality, to the best of their ability based on their scope, clinical expertise, and available historical evidence.

· Complete a VA Form 10-5345 and leave it together with the medical statement/form you want completed with the Office of Release of Information. Here is a link to the form on VA’s webpage: https://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/10-5345.pdf.

· Expect a VA Manila response within 20 working days.

Veterans requesting assistance with submitting a VA disability benefits claim should access the VBA Internet website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation or call +63 (02) 8550-3888 and press 1 for additional assistance or check in at the VBA Reception Desk

PLANNING TO TRAVEL TO THE UNITED STATES?

Veterans planning to travel to the United States and want to continue medical treatment should contact the clinic’s Traveling Veteran Coordinator (TVC) via SecureMessenger/MyHealtheVet. Our TVC can facilitate your care with her counterpart in the United States. Your VA Manila provider will recommend coordination when needed care with an alternate VA facility near you is required. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks lead time to ensure appointments can be prearranged upon your arrival.

VETERANS CRISIS LINE

The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified and caring Department of Veteran Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1. In the Philippines you can also dial the Manila Outpatient Clinic (#MyVA or 02-8550-3888) and press option 7 to be transferred to the Crisis Line. To learn more about the Veterans Crisis Line or to chat online, go to https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ and click on the appropriate link.

NO VALID GOVERNMENT ID/NO ENTRY/NO EXCEPTIONS:

The U.S. Embassy Regional Security Office no longer permit employees, Veterans, attendants, and family members to enter a U.S. Embassy facility to include the VA Manila Regional Office and Outpatient Clinic without a valid government picture ID. Family members and attendants over the age of 14 will also need to provide a valid government ID.

COMPUTER LAPTOPS PROHIBITED:

The U.S. Embassy, including VA Manila, no longer permits Veterans, attendants, and family members to enter a U.S. Embassy facility with a computer laptop. Do not bring any large electronic device as the U.S. Embassy guards nor VA staff are permitted to accept or store the device.

OTHER PROHIBITED ITEMS:

Visitors, attendants, and family members are prohibited from bringing into a U.S. Embassy facility, including VA Manila, weapons of any kind to include pocketknives, cameras, recording devices, and large electronic devices. Veterans, attendants, family members and visitors are prohibited from taking photos inside the facility and are prohibited from leaving their personal belongings in the reception lobby.

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Daniel Gutkoski, MHA

Clinic Manager

VA Manila Outpatient Clinic

US Embassy to the Philippines, Seafront Compound

1501 Roxas Boulevard, 1302 Pasay City, Metro Manila

+63 (02) 8396-3735 – Direct Dial

#MyVA (#6982) – Toll Free