Veterans encouraged to bring discharge papers
An open house for veterans and their families will be held Friday, Dec. 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the new VA Central Western Massachusetts specialty care clinic. Veterans, their guests and community members can attend to learn about VA health care eligibility and health care services.
Attendees and their guests will tour the new clinic. Additionally, VA staff will provide information about Veterans Health Administration benefits and additional information. This is a free event and is open to anyone with an interest in learning more about services now available at the new clinic. Light refreshments will be available.
Veterans with no current enrollment for VA benefits should bring their discharge papers. Additionally, current financial and medical insurance information should be brought. VA counselors will assist veterans to complete eligibility and enrollment applications.
“The goal of our open house is to increase awareness about the VA and benefits and services available in Worcester,” said John P. Collins. He serves as director of the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System.
Eligibility, enrollment info offered
Following a collaborative partnership between Massachusetts and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the VA now sports a new 15,000-square-foot specialty care unit. The facility exists on the University of Massachusetts Medical School campus on Plantation Street. Also, since its opening, the facility continues to expand access to health care with podiatry, optometry, speech therapy, and audiology care.
At the open house, veterans will also learn about another new VA facility that is opening on the UMass campus at Lake Avenue North. Most noteworthy, that care center will provide behavioral health services, dermatology, cardiology, rheumatology, neurology, urology and orthopedics.
Additionally, the new outpatient clinics increase the space of the VA’s Lincoln Street outpatient clinic. Services there include: geriatrics, laboratory testing, radiology, rehabilitation medicine, nutrition counseling, preventive services such as annual flu and pneumonia shots, electrocardiograms and a pharmacy.
Contact John Paradis, VA New England Healthcare System at (413) 387-9966 for more information.
