Confirmed VISN 8 Operational Status updates as of Wednesday, October 16, 2024 @ 11:30 p.m.

October 16, 2024

Note:  Appointments that are not converted to virtual will be rescheduled.

 Bay Pines VA Healthcare System

• C. W. “Bill” Young VAMC Campus
  • Emergency Department is CLOSED until further notice; Outpatient appointments will be offered in most areas
  • All surgical, interventional radiology, interventional pain, and endoscopy procedures are CANCELED Thursday, Oct 17. Veterans will be rescheduled for the soonest available appointment.
• All other sites of care FULLY OPERATIONAL

Tampa VA Healthcare System

Orlando VA Healthcare System

West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System

North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System

Miami VA Healthcare System

VA Caribbean Healthcare System

Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)

• Florida VBA offices are closed for in-person assistance thru Friday, Oct. 18.
• They are available for virtual assistance. Veterans can schedule virtual appointments for disability compensation claims and appeals at https://va.my.site.com/VAVERA/s/.

VA Prescriptions: The VA Emergency Prescription Refill Program has been activated for the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, Tampa VA Healthcare System, Orlando VA Healthcare System and North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System.

• Veteran patients can go to any local retail pharmacy to obtain needed refills. Veteran patients must take an empty active VA prescription bottle (not older than 6 months and with refills available) or a new VA prescription on a VA form by an authorized VA provider to a retail pharmacy. This does not include controlled substances.

• The Heritage Health Customer Care Line is available for both VA patients and Pharmacies for any billing questions or coverage at: 1-866-265-0124, option 1. The line operates Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. EST, and Saturday – Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. EST.

As a reminder, the VISN 8 Clinical Contact Center is operational 24/7/365 for virtual care and tele-emergency care and support to Veterans enrolled for VA Health Care in Florida, South Georgia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, 1-877-741-3400. Visit  https://department.va.gov/integrated-service-networks/visn-08/ (under highlights), for more information.

Visit Hurricane Milton | Florida Disaster for information on sandbags, evacuation zones, evacuation orders, county emergency management sites, and more. This site will be updated as additional information becomes available.

If you’ve been affected by Hurricane Helene or Milton, VA is here to help!  Visit Disaster Help | Veterans Affairs (va.gov) to learn more.