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## 

**Questions & Answers for**

**New VA Clinic in Rome**

> **Q:** Will the VA mail a letter to the veterans in the surrounding
> area of the clinic? If so, who will get the letter and what will it
> say?
>
> **A:** *The Rome Outreach Clinic, located at 30 Chateau Drive, Rome
> Georgia, is planned to open on Friday September 28, 2007. This clinic
> will operate four days per week on: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and
> Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. The clinic will be closed Wednesdays.*
>
> *In order to assure quality medical care and access for veterans, we
> will be accepting patients in several phases over the next 8-9 month
> period. Initially, we will send letters to patients who live in the
> Rome area who are currently assigned to the Smyrna CBOC indicating
> that their primary care is being transferred to the Rome Outreach
> Clinic unless otherwise preferred by the patient. We will also be
> accepting new eligible patients. Information related to this process
> will be available starting September 14 on the medical center's web
> site ([www.va.gov/atlanta](http://www.va.gov/atlanta)) and/or by
> contacting our Telephone Advice Program (TAP) at 1-800-224-4087;
> Monday-Friday from 7:30am to 4:00 pm. As additional clinic staff are
> hired throughout the year, we will offer transfers to patients
> assigned to other clinics via letter. This phase-in approach for
> patients is necessary in order to assure the clinic properly meets
> patient demand. We will continually monitor this process and make
> adjustments as appropriate.*
>
> **Q:** What procedures will a veteran who is already enrolled have to
> go through in order to receive treatment at the new clinic?
>
> **A:** *Eligible veterans already enrolled with the VA but not
> assigned to a primary care provider may contact our Telephone Advice
> Program (TAP) at 1-800-224-4087Monday-Friday from 7:30 am -- 4:00 pm
> to request an appointment at the Rome Outreach Clinic. After this
> initial appointment, the veteran will be assigned to a provider at the
> Rome Outreach Clinic for future primary care services.*
>
> **Q:** What procedures will a veteran who is not enrolled have to go
> through in order to receive treatment at the new clinic?
>
> **A:** *Veterans who are not already enrolled with the VA have several
> options available to them to complete the application process.*

-   *Call our Telephone Advice Program (TAP) at 1-800-224-4087. A
    friendly representative will assist the veteran with obtaining
    necessary information and sending him/her an enrollment packet with
    instructions. Once the packet is completed and processed, the
    veteran will be notified by the Health Eligibility Center (HEC) of
    his/her eligibility status. Eligible veterans may then call TAP at
    the above number to request an appointment.*

-   *Visit the Rome Outreach Clinic and meet with an Enrollment
    Specialist. An Enrollment Specialist will be available each Monday,
    through January 28, 2008. The specialist will be available to assist
    with the completion of the application packet and to answer specific
    questions related to the veterans individual circumstances.*

-   *Apply online at <http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/>. Scroll down
    to "Apply or Enroll for VA Medical Benefits", click on "1010EZ
    Form", follow instructions for completing 1010. If you have
    questions regarding the online registration process, please call an
    Enrollment Specialist at (404) 321-6111, extension 6450.*

*If you have any questions regarding your registration and enrollment
process, you may contact the Enrollment Supervisor by calling (404)
321-6111, extension 5862.*

**Q:** If the veteran is currently being treated at another VA Clinic,
what will he/she need to do to change to the new clinic?

**A:** *Initially, patients assigned to the Smyrna CBOC who reside in
the Rome, Georgia area will be transferred to the Outreach Clinic unless
the patient opts out. At the same time, we will provide services to new
eligible veterans seeking care at this clinic. Once the Smyrna patients
have been transferred, we will then contact other assigned veterans in
the surrounding counties starting with those residing closest to the
Rome Outreach Clinic.*

**Q:** What will happen to veterans currently on Fee Basis cards? If the
Fee Basis card is terminated, how will the veteran be notified?

**A:** *At this time, veterans with Fee Basis cards will continue having
this as an option for medical care services. Each veteran will be
handled on a case-by case basis.*

**Q:** Will the answers to these questions and others be provided to the
VA staff on the TAP line and elsewhere?

**A:** *A comprehensive education and training program regarding the new
Rome Outreach Clinic will be provided to our TAP, patient advocates and
medical center scheduling staff. This will be done on a continuous basis
to assure continuity and accurate information for veterans.*

**Q:** Will the answers to these questions and others be provided to
service organizations and congressional representatives?

**A:** *Yes.*