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Amy Rohlfs
Public Affairs Officer, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System
We are tracking Hurricane Douglas, which is approaching the Hawaiian Islands.
Until further notice, the Ambulatory Care Center and all VA Pacific Islands Health Care System Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) will be closed for face-to-face appointments from Saturday, July 25 through Monday, July 27. However, all Telephone and Veteran Video Connect (VVC) appointments will continue as scheduled. Face to Face appointments will be converted to Telephone or VVC if appropriate. If you have questions, please call 1-800-214-1306.
For any Veterans who have Care in the Community (CITC) appointments please call to confirm your appointments directly with your community provider before going to your appointments.
The VA has enacted the Pharmacy Disaster Relief Plan for all VA PIHCS service areas in the state of Hawaii. Veterans who need an emergency supply of medications will be able to go to any Heritage Health Contracted retail pharmacy open to the public, with a written prescription or active VA prescription bottle (not older than 6 months) that has active refills available.
Veterans can receive at least a 14-day supply of medications under this plan during the emergency. Controlled substances are not included. Veterans must present a valid VA ID Card when requesting medications and they should also have another form of ID available. This service is planned to conclude on Tuesday, July 28th. Contact the Heritage Health Customer Care Line at 1-866-265-0124, option 1, for billing information. Heritage operating hours during the storm period are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST (2 a.m.-4 p.m., Hawaii) and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST (5 a.m.-10 a.m., Hawaii). They are closed on Sunday.
Please note that the VA Pacific Island Health Care System is not a designated emergency shelter. Veterans who need emergency medical services should call 9-1-1 and visit their closest open emergency room throughout the storm period. For non-emergency health-related questions, please call for any VA related medical needs 1-800-214-1306.
• VA Employees please contact your direct supervisor for specific questions related to your work area.
• Updated information will be available on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VAPacificIslands and the VA Pacific Islands Website: http://www.hawaii.va.gov/.
• Emergency Preparedness Information and Resources are here: https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.
One Team, One Ohana!