To Our Southern Nevada Veterans, Families, Caregivers and Stakeholders:

In response to COVID-19, the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System, along with our local, state and federal partners, continue to make adjustments in the delivery of care and services.

This week, in support of the State of Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak's expansion of stay at home and social distancing directives and to further minimize traffic within our facilities, we are formally suspending all walk-in customer service for our business operations. Until further notice, the following services will need to be accessed virtually either via phone or the internet: Enrollment, Beneficiary Travel, Release of Information, Patient Advocate, MyHealtheVet, Facility Revenue, Voluntary Service and Veterans Benefits. Information and options for each are provided below.

Additionally, we continue to work to find ways to safely deliver care to our enrolled Veterans. One such initiative is the introduction virtual same-day services for Veterans with urgent primary care and mental health needs. More information is included below.

We also want to provide you with updates on activity going on in the local community that may have a direct impact our Veterans.

First, the eastbound and westbound ramps at Pecos Road and the Clark County 215 Beltway will close April 6 for construction. Veterans traveling to the North Las Vegas VA Medical Center on the beltway will need to exit at Losee Road or Lamb Boulevard to access the facility. Construction is estimated to take approximately four months.

Second, Nellis Air Force Base has declared a public health emergency. As such, beginning April 6, the base will begin limiting access to mission essential personnel and those who reside on the installation.

Finally, we want to warn our Veterans of several COVID-19-related scams that are circulating within the community, with some specifically targeting Veterans. We ask that you remain vigilant and NEVER give out personally identifiable information or other personal or sensitive data such as financial and banking information or passwords. Furthermore, The VA will never call you to request money or visit your home without pre-coordination.

We realize many of you count on the VA as a lifeline, particularly when dealing with stressful events such as this. As such, we wanted to remind you that the following resources are available:

VA Mental Health COVID-19 Web Page

https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/coronavirus/

Chaplaincy Support

The VASNHS chaplaincy support number for Veterans is: 702-275-3011. This number can be contacted at any time.

Veteran Crisis Line

If you are a Veteran in crisis, you can call 1-800-273-TALK (Option 1).
OR Text 838255; OR confidential chat: www.veteranscrisisline.net.

Veterans who have flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath should contact us immediately before you visit one of our VA facilities. Call us at 702-791-9000 (option 3) or 877-252-4866.

For more information on what Veterans need to know about COVID-19, please visit the VA's Frequently Asked Questions Page.

Community Updates

Pecos Road Closure at CC 215 Beltway

The eastbound and westbound ramps at Pecos Road on the CC-215 Beltway will close April 6 for construction, which is anticipated to take approximately four months to complete. During this time, travelers to and from the North Las Vegas VA Medical Center on the CC-215 Beltway will need to use either Losee Road or Lamb Boulevard. The medical center is currently screening all visitors at vehicle entrances and operating under the following schedule:

Pecos Main gate: 24/7
Southwest Gate: 6-9 a.m. and 3-5 p.m. (as an Exit only), Monday-Friday
Southeast Gate: 5:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday

With the ramp closures and gate screenings, visitors should plan extra time in their commute for any scheduled appointments.

Nellis Air Force Base declares public health emergency

April 3, the 99th Air Base Wing Commander, Col Cavan Craddock, declared a public health emergency and announced the following changes for access to Nellis Air Force Base. The following restrictions will remain in place until further notice.

Beginning Monday, April 6, access to the base will be limited to mission essential personnel and those who reside on the installation. Retirees will continue to be able to access the Satellite Pharmacy through Friday, April 10.

Starting Saturday, April 11, only essential personnel and residents of the base will be granted access to the installation.

The Mike O’Callaghan Military Medical Center will remain open for emergencies and required appointments for all beneficiaries, including retirees.

The Commissary and Base Exchange will remain open for mission essential personnel and their dependents only.

CLICK HERE for more information.

Note: Due to COVID-19, the base is not currently processing new base passes at this time for Veterans with a service connection who were recently approved to use the base commissary, exchange and MWR activities.

COVID-19-related scams on the rise

From economic relief checks, to health insurance and individuals going door-to-door posing as VA employees, scammers are out in full force trying to take advantage of vulnerable individuals in the wake of COVID-19.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Nevada Attorney General's Office and the IRS are warning tax payers about potential scams related to the coronavirus economic relief payments. Those relief checks will be on their way in just a few weeks and will either be mailed or direct deposited into people’s bank accounts. Officials said scammers may try to get you to sign over your check to them or verify information so they can steal your money.

The Nevada Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection is offering the following advice to safeguard consumers from potential con-artists:

• Don’t give out personal information to anyone you don’t personally know and trust. That includes social security information, bank account numbers, debit and credit cards, PINs or passwords. Scammers may try to pose as government officials over the phone and ask for this information under the guise of getting your check to you faster. Don’t fall for it.

• Do not be fooled into paying money or “processing fees” in order to receive your stimulus funding.

• Make sure your mailbox is locked and check it frequently to ward off thieves.

• Beware of emails that look like official government communications asking you to enter personal information. These most likely are phishing emails designed to scam you out of money.

Additionally, VASNHS has been made aware of a recent scam where individuals are visiting people's homes claiming they are from the VA hospital. The Department of Veterans Affairs ill never visit a Veteran’s home unannounced. VA home visits are for official purposes only and will be scheduled and coordinated with the Veteran in advance.

If You Are Contacted by someone claiming to be from the VA:

• Know that the VA will never call you to request money or visit your home without pre-coordination.

• Do not give out any personally identifiable information or other personal or sensitive data such as financial and banking information or passwords.

For more information on how Veterans can protect themselves from identity theft and scams, visit:

https://www.va.gov/identitytheft/
https://www.militaryconsumer.gov/

If you suspect you have been a victim of a scam, you can contact the LVMPD Financial Crimes at (702) 828-3483, contact the Nevada Attorney General at (888) 434-9989 or file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

Local VA Impacts

Out of an abundance of caution due to COVID-19 and to limit the risk of exposure to patients and staff, the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System (VASNHS) has implemented the following actions:

(NEW) Virtual same-day primary care, mental health services for urgent needs

While VASNHS has canceled elective surgeries and non-urgent procedures, and moved scheduled appointments to virtual care wherever possible, Veterans oftentimes still have questions, issues or medical concerns that cannot wait. As such, VASNHS is delivering same-day services virtually to enrolled Veterans who have urgent primary care or mental health needs.

“We want to be able to continue providing Veterans with same-day access to primary care but want to ensure we are doing it in a safe manner,” said Dr. Maia D. Carter, VASNHS’ chief of Primary Care. “As such, we ask that patients reach out to our call center at 702-791-9024 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Friday to request a same-day appointment to discuss their urgent need. They will be referred to a nurse to assess their medical concerns, then, if a patient needs to be seen, we will offer them virtual care through VA Video Connect or by telephone as appropriate.”

For mental health, if a Veteran has an urgent need, he or she can access virtual same-day services from a health care professional by calling the medical center’s Behavioral Health Clinic at 702-791-9062 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

“If a patient calls and expresses a need that we would typically handle as a walk-in visit for same-day services, we will offer them a virtual care or phone appointment with a registered nurse,” said Tim Jobin, VASNHS’ associate chief of staff of Behavioral Health. “The nurse will assess the Veteran’s needs and assist with medication refills, scheduling any necessary video or phone appointments and completing any consults for immediate care or follow-on services.”

Access to same-day services doesn’t replace emergency care and Veterans should always call 911 or report to the closest emergency room during a medical emergency. Additionally, if a Veteran is in crisis outside regular business hours, he or she should visit the nearest emergency room or contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-TALK (Option 1) OR Text 838255; OR confidential chat: www.veteranscrisisline.net.

CLICK HERE for more information on virtual same-day primary care and mental health services.

Screenings at VASNHS entrances 

Everyone who enters a VASNHS facility is screened and will have their temperature checked. Furthermore, anyone who visits the North Las Vegas VA Medical Center will be screened at the facility's vehicle entrances.

Screening may lengthen entry times, so patients are advised to allow for extra time when arriving for scheduled appointments.

Individuals found to be at potential risk for a COVID-19 infection will be immediately isolated to prevent potential spread to others and cared for using established CDC and VA protocols.

Virtual Primary Care & Behavioral Health Appointments

VASNHS is moving as many primary care and behavioral health appointments to virtual care as possible. Veterans can access options such as Telehealth, MyHealtheVet Secure Messaging or VA Video Connect for their appointments. To request a virtual care appointment or to convert an in-person appointment to virtual care, call 702-791-9024. CLICK HERE for more information local virtual care.

Lab & Imaging discontinued at VA community clinics in Las Vegas valley

In an effort to support social distancing protocols and reduce traffic at VA community clinics, VASNHS has discontinued lab and imaging services at all VA community clinics in the Las Vegas valley. Necessary (non-routine) lab work will continue in Pahrump and Laughlin by appointment only. VASNHS providers are reviewing patient charts and postponing any routine labs for Veteran patients until a later date.

Necessary imaging and lab work for Veteran patients within the Las Vegas valley will be conducted at the North Las Vegas VA Medical Center. The lab is currently running extended hours at the medical center from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Elective dental procedures postponed

VASNHS’ Dental Service has postponed all elective dental procedures both locally and in the community. Dental is available at VASNHS from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday for dental emergencies. VHA has placed a temporary pause from Mission Act access standards for routine care. Community care consults/authorizations for urgent dental matters will continue without interruption.

(NEW) VA Release of Information Office Closed to Walk-Ins

Veterans who want to obtain copies of their own VA medical records, should download and complete a VA Consent Form.  They should provide specific information regarding the records they want copies of including dates and documents being requested, and need to sign and date the request. To minimize in-person visits, Veterans may mail the completed request to us at the North Las Vegas VA Medical Center, Attention: Release of Information, 6900 North Pecos Road, North Las Vegas, NV, 89086 or fax it to 702-224-6065.  Requested documents will be mailed to the address listed on the consent form.

(NEW) Beneficiary Travel procedures during COVID-19

If you want to file a claim for travel reimbursement, you may use one of our kiosks if you are filing a claim for a scheduled appointment.  If you need to file a claim for an appointment that was not scheduled such as laboratory, click on this link, https://www.va.gov/health-care/get-reimbursed-for-travel-pay/.  Go down to the section titled How do I file a claim for reimbursement and download VA Form 10-3542.  The completed form can be mailed to us at VA Medical Center, Attention: Beneficiary Travel, 6900 North Pecos Road, North Las Vegas, NV, 89086 or fax it to 702-224-6918.  Please remember the claim needs to be submitted within 30 days of your appointment.

Nevada VBA offices closed until further notice

Per Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak’s order to “Stay at Home” during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Director Franko Fritz closed the Veteran Benefits Administration's Reno Regional Office building, as well as the Las Vegas Satellite Office (located in the North Las Vegas VA Medical Center), effective March 24. All mail will be held by the USPS and UPS until further notice. This closure is in effect until further notice.

DAV temporarily ceases transportation 

The Disabled American Veterans Transportation System has temporarily ceased operations. All other volunteer programs have already been suspended. The Voluntary Service office remains open and can be reached at (702) 791-9134.

Veterans Experience discontinues in-person services

All patient advocates and MyHealtheVet coordinators have stopped providing face-to-face services, but are available virtually. Veterans are welcome to call the Veterans Experience Call Center at 702-791-9000 ext. 15436 to obtain assistance, or contact patient advocates or coordinators via MyHealtheVet secure messaging.

Facility Revenue closed for in-person visits

Due to COVID-19, the VA Facility Revenue Office located at the North Las Vegas VA Medical Center is closed to face-to-face visits, but available by phone. To make a payment, Veterans should call 1-888-827-4817 or visit www.pay.gov. For questions about a bill or to set up a payment plan, Veterans should call 1-866-347-2353 or 808-538-2530.

VASNHS closes in-person enrollment, encourages virtual options

Due to COVID-19, face-to-face services at the VASNHS Enrollment Office have been suspended. VASNHS is encouraging Veterans who have not accessed care with the VA to enroll virtually at www.va.gov, or call the Health Eligibility Center at 877-222-8387. If a Veteran is currently enrolled at another VA location and would like to transfer to the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System, they can call the enrollment office at 702-791-9071 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Appointment reminders temporarily discontinued

To avoid confusion regarding cancelations of upcoming face-to-face appointments, VASNHS is temporarily discontinuing automated appointment reminder telephone calls and postcards.

VASNHS staff are currently reaching out to Veterans to talk to them about available options for their scheduled appointments. To check on future scheduled appointments or to cancel an appointment, Veterans can call VASNHS’ automated telephone system at 702-791-9000, press 2, then press 1.

No-Visitor Policy

VASNHS has implemented a “No Visitor” policy, meaning the public and outside visitors will not be permitted to see inpatients at the North Las Vegas VA Medical Center or accompany Veterans to outpatient appointments at any of VASNHS' clinics, unless they are directly assisting or caring for a Veteran.

• The only exceptions will be in compassionate cases, when Veterans are in their last stages of life and receiving palliative or hospice care.
• In those cases, visitors will be limited to a specific Veteran’s room only.

Cancellation of Elective Surgeries and Non-Urgent Procedures

VASNHS has canceled elective surgeries and other non-urgent procedures. This action was taken to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and ICU use, freeing up critical resources to specifically address COVID-19. All patients who fall into these categories and are affected by this change will be contacted by the facility.

Cancellation of in-person group sessions, classes and courses

VASNHS has canceled all in-person group sessions, classes and courses throughout the healthcare system until further notice. Virtual options such as telehealth and conference calls are being offered as alternatives wherever possible for Veterans participating in these activities. VASNHS is reaching out to affected individuals to discuss options.

Fisher House Closure

VASNHS has closed the VA Southern Nevada Fisher House until further notice. VASNHS Fisher House staff has notified and is working with affected individuals and other families requesting temporary lodging to make new arrangements.

Valet Parking Services Suspended

VASNHS has suspended valet parking service at North Las Vegas VA Medical Center until further notice.

Postponed VA Events and Public Outreach

The Department of Veterans Affairs has postponed all VA events and ceased participation in all public outreach events through April 30. VASNHS will provide updates and more information on any postponed events as it becomes available. We apologize for any inconvenience.

General Information

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected in more than 100 locations internationally, including in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

• People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).
• Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.^*

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

How to protect yourself

Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent the COVID-19 infection and no medication to treat it. CDC believes symptoms appear 2 to 14 days after exposure. Avoid exposure and avoid exposing others to an infection with these simple steps.

• Learn to use VA Video Connect through the VA mobile app store or by contacting your VA care team, before any urgent problems arise.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An easy way to mark the time is to hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice while scrubbing.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick or becoming sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue (not your hands) and throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Getting a flu shot is recommended.

High Risk Individuals

Early information out of China, where COVID-19 first started, shows that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. This includes:

• Older adults
• People who have serious chronic medical conditions like:
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Lung disease

If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or because you have a serious long-term health problem, it is extra important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease.

• Stock up on supplies.
• Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.
• When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often.
• Avoid crowds as much as possible.
• Avoid cruise travel and non-essential air travel.
• During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed.

Additional Resources

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the following sites: 

White House Coronavirus (COVID-19) web page
CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) web page
VA Public Health COVID-19 Public Health Page
Nevada Health Response
Southern Nevada Health District
Nellis Air Force Base COVID-19 Page