WELCOME HOME

As a military member who served in the Armed Forces, we cannot begin to show enough appreciation for the sacrifices you have made during your time as a soldier, sailor, airman, marine, guard member or reservist.

However in order to help honor you with what has been called “The Best Care Anywhere” (VA health care book by author Phillip Longman) we are pleased to inform you that you are entitled up to five years of cost free health care. This page will provide you with information regarding enrollment processes, special services, types of health care, and who to contact for questions you may have regarding any benefits or services provided by the Phoenix VA Health Care System.

At the Phoenix VA Health Care System, we want to make your transition from military to civilian life as seamless as possible. Here are some helpful tips to accessing VA Health Care.  The VA is committed to providing you the care that YOU will need.

Enrollment

• You must enroll at a VA Health Care Facility to access VA health care. Call our Eligibility Department at (602) 222-6508. please tell us you are an OEF/OIF veteran and would like to enroll in the VA.

• Coordination of Care Contacts

  • Kristen Brennan, Social Work Case Manager at (602) 277-5551 x5762;
  • Debbie Dominick, OEF/OIF Program Manager at (602) 277-5551, x3116;
  • Sheri Evans, RN Case Manager at (602) 277-5551 x5429;
  • Cara Garcia, OEF/OIF Community Outreach SW at (602) 277-5551 x7499
  • Cherie Maxson, RN Case Manager at (602) 277-5551 x5429;
  • Michael Owens, Social Work Case Manager at (602) 277-5551 x7415;
  • John Thompson, OEF/OIF Transition Patient Advocate at (602) 222-6443;
  • More information about our OEF/OIF team.  

Primary Care (PC)

• A Doctor/Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant (DR/NP/PA) will be your provider who will manage your general medical/specialty care.
• You will be assigned to a provider when you enroll. You will be referred to specialty care (Orthopedics, Urology, Dermatology, etc) as needed.
  

Compensation & Pension Exam

• This is an exam requested by the VA Regional Office (VARO) for any injury or illness that was incurred while on active duty.
• The VARO requests a Compensation & Pension exam when you file a claim with their office. You can reach them at 1-800-827-1000.
• This exam is for disability benefits only and it does not include a physical or needs assessment for treatment or medication.  We will only review the area that is potentially affected by the impending disability.
• Compensation and Pension exams are done at the VA Medical Center but this exam does not enroll you for medical care.
• Call Marlene Imboden at (602) 222-6480 with any questions about your exam.
  

Emergency Department (ED)

• ED provides care for any urgent medical needs. The department is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix.
• If you have any life threatening emergencies call 911 immediately.
  

JADE/OPAL Outpatient MH Clinic

• Available for any Post Deployment Health Screening
• Walk-in appointments available.
• Call (602) 277-5551 Ext: 2752
  

VA Helpline

• If you have a change in health condition and cannot wait for your next appointment with your provider, please contact our Registered Nurses at (602) 222-6550. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• They will asses your needs and send a message to your primary Care Clinic or will help you schedule an urgent appointment.

Helpful Information

• Benefits 1-800-827-1000
• Education & Training 1-888-442-4551
• Life Insurance 1-800-669-8477
• Special Issues 1-800-749-8387
• Health Care 1-877-222-VETS (8387)
• Headstones/Markers 1-800-697-6947
• VA Inspector General 1-800-488-8244
• Suicide Prevention Hot line 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• TDD 1-800-829-4833
• http://www.va.gov/

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS:

MEDICAL CENTER

Switchboard Operator
(602) 277-5551

VA Help Line
(602) 222-6550
(888) 214-7264 toll free

Admissions
(602) 222-2621

Enrollment/Address Changes
(602) 222-6508

Medication Refill Hotline
(602) 222-6598
(800) 359-8262

Mental Health Clinic
(602) 277-5551, ext. 2761

Release of Information
(602) 222-2619

Transportation Services
(602) 200-6272

VA Billing
(602) 277-5551, ext. 2173 

Women Veterans Program
(602) 277-5551, ext. 6764

VA HEALTH CARE CLINICS

Buckeye VAHCC
(623) 386-4814

Globe (Globe-Miami) VAHCC
(928) 425-0027

Sun City (Northwest) VAHCC
(602) 222-2630

Payson VAHCC
(928) 472-3148

Phoenix (Thunderbird) VAHCC
(602) 633-6900

Show Low VAHCC
(928) 532-1069

 Mesa (Southeast) VAHCC
(602) 222-6568

For more information on VA benefits and services offered to veterans returning from the armed services, visit the VA Seamless Transition Information - Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) website.