Page 14 - Desert Oracle June 2021

SAVAHCS Director’s Report:
June 2021

LOCAL UPDATE

DID YOU KNOW?

• Dr. Kiran Rai has been appointed Acting Deputy Associate Director of Patient Care
Services
• Dr. Curtis Cornelius has been appointed Acting Deputy Chief of Staff
• Ms. Jenny Wasielewski has been appointed Acting Assistant Director
• Veterans can contact their primary care team and request refills the same day they
receive it in the mail by telephone or through MyHealtheVet
• About the SAVAHCS (ALS Program)
o On March 4, 2021 the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System held its first
interdisciplinary ALS Clinic. This newly established clinic is designed to provide a
rich patient and family-centered care experience for Veterans living with the difficult
diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
o During a clinic session an interdisciplinary team of professionals to include the
neurologist, primary care provider, occupational therapist, speech language
pathologist, dietician, respiratory therapist, pulmonologist, and wheelchair seating
specialist meet with the Veteran, their family, and caregivers.
o The discussion evolves around and is driven by the questions, concerns, and
needs of the Veteran and family. With this model of care, the Veteran only needs to
share their story once with the group of professionals seeking to support excellence
in service delivery. Veterans, families, and members of the interdisciplinary team
have all shared their gratitude for the opportunity to be part of this dynamic and rich
model of care. Veterans and families feel supported and the clinical specialists
enjoy collaborating with other professionals on behalf of the Veteran. It’s a win-win!!
• My HealtheVet - Copayment Debts to be Canceled, Refunded
o This massive Nation Refund Project is unprecedented for the VA and requires
systematic updates and extra manpower to in order to ensure accurate refund for
our Veterans across the Nation. The VA is asking for the patience of our Veterans
the in interim of this project which has been underway since the ARP was signed.
As of current, the project’s systematic implementations have been successful and
the project is on track to be completed by the anticipated timeframes as follows:

o Refund Wave 1: All payments made up until 02/28/2021 are expected to be
refunded on the first which is expected to be from: (mid-May 2021 through mid-
June 2021)

o Refund Wave 2: All remaining payments made after 02/28/2021 are expected to
be refunded on the first which is expected to be from: (mid-June through mid-July)