VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System
Worcester and Fitchburg realignment actions announced
VA Central Western Massachusetts announced changes for Veterans who receive medical care at the Worcester and Fitchburg VA outpatient clinics. The clinics are assigned to the VA Central Western Mass. system.
LEEDS, Mass. -- April 30, 2012 -- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System has announced important changes for Worcester and Fitchburg VA patients.
Under the realignment of the Worcester and Fitchburg community-based outpatient clinics last October, medical providers for patients did not change although medical records are now assigned to VA Central Western Massachusetts.
But the realignment does affect Veteran patients in three important ways following the integration of medical records for Veterans who use the Worcester and Fitchburg clinics.
Appointments. As of April 30, 2012, Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care at the Worcester and Fitchburg clinics will need to call the VA Central Western Massachusetts Call Center for appointments. The number for the call center is 1-800-893-1522.
Pharmacy. If a Veteran sees a Worcester VA health care provider, a VA Central Western Massachusetts VA pharmacy, such as the one at the Worcester clinic, will fill prescriptions. If Veterans see VA Boston or Bedford VA providers, pharmacies located in those locations will fill their prescriptions, not the pharmacy in Worcester. Prescription refill phone number will also change and Veterans are advised to call the number on their prescription vials for refills.
Laboratory Tests. Lab tests ordered by Worcester or Fitchburg providers will be done at a VA Central Western Massachusetts lab. Lab tests, however, ordered by VA providers in Boston or Bedford must be done at those respective locations. They will not be done at a VA Central Western Massachusetts lab, such as the one in Worcester.
The Worcester and Fitchburg clinics were formerly assigned to VA Bedford Medical Center and the VA Boston Healthcare System, respectively.
The two clinics join outpatient clinics in Springfield, Greenfield and Pittsfield as part of the regional system, headquartered at the Northampton VA Medical Center in Leeds, Mass.
Veterans will be able to keep their current providers and can choose where they travel for services.
VA Central Western Mass continues to review existing services at Worcester and Springfield to identify priority areas for increased services. Over time, the realignment is expected to create a crticial mass of services for Veterans particularly in the Springfield and Worcester areas, where there are high concentrations of Veterans. The goal of realignment is to focus on the regional strength with outpatient clinics in central and western Massachusetts.
