Adjutant’s Report, July 2022

As I wrote last month, the Lincoln CBOC is now doing walk-in EXPRESS CARE starting at 3pm and going until 7pm.  No appointment is needed.  If you need a nurse to look at something, make use of this new service.  A copy of the flyer follows: The VA is doing away with the current sign in system.  Starting July 13th, the Lincoln clinic will be going to a system where you will use a smart phone to sign in for appointments.  For those without a smart phone, the staff will have to sign you in. The system is called “VA Mobile Check-in for Appointments”.  Clinics using the new system will have a QR code for you to scan in the check-in area.  You need to be sure that the VA has your smart phone number.  When you scan the QR code, the system will call your phone number to check you in for your appointment.  The Lab will revert to a paper and pen sign-in. The Flag Hands outside the entrance are going to be repaired.  The artist who designed the hands and flag is going to take the Flag and redo it as it has been showing its age.  The Flag will be gone for a few months, but it will return. Unwanted Medications:  If you have old medications that you would like to dispose of you can drop them off in the Pharmacy waiting area.  There is a locked blue drop box where you can deposit them.  Keep them out of your homes and out of our kid’s hands. If you do not have a current VA ID card, you can request one while you are in the clinic.  You will need to have some form of ID that will allow them to double-check your identity.  You can use a state issued driver’s license and/or state issued ID card.  The process is done by video computer link.  You can also get help to enroll in the VA system by using this link:  www.myhealth.va.gov. My Healthy Vet:   Did you know you can request refills of your medications, check your upcoming appointments, or send a note to your provider online?   The VA has a web site called, My Healthy Vet that allows you to do this.  If you are not currently using it, or If you need help in using it, stop by their education center on your next visit.   In Lincoln, their info center is just to the right of the front entrance.  The Lincoln education center is staffed on Tuesday – Friday, 0800-1400 hours. To get the full use of the web site, you need to have a Premium My HealthyVet Account.  To upgrade your account, you need to be authenticated.  This only takes a minute, just stop and visit with the staff. Coffeehaus is the third Friday of the month.  During the summer months it will be held at the band shell in Antelope Park, 10:00 to Noon. Come and enjoy some good free music. Buddy Check is on the 22nd of the month: 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Foundry, 14th and P, downtown.  Come and meet with your fellow veterans for free food and a drink.  You can park in the garage just around the corner for free as we will give you a ticket to use to get out.  Remember, the VA will only be there for us if we use its services.  If we do not use them, the government sees it as a service not needed and will cut funding for the Lincoln CBOC.  The government funds each CBOC / hospital based on the number of veterans signed up for services in its service area.  The veterans do not need to be using the VA for their medical needs.  They just need to be enrolled in the VA Health Care System.  Funding is based on foreseen needs, not current need. We need to talk with our fellow veterans to be sure they are enrolled in the VA system.  There are many veterans who could receive medical service but have never signed up for this benefit of our service.  Again, it is the old story, use them or lose them.  You may not know that the Lincoln CBOC receives $4,000.00 dollars for each veteran registered as living in our service area.  This area takes in most of southeast Nebraska and a few of the counties in northern Kansas.       

Thanks for your service. 

Ed Schnabel Lincoln VAG member (Veteran Advisory Group) Lincoln VA American Legion Representative for Nebraska