VA San Diego Health Systems (VASDHS)

There are three programs to assist with transportation to VA medical appointments:

• Veterans Transportation Service (VTS): (858) 552-7572 – The VTS is a fairly new VA program that provides FREE round-trip transportation from home to the VA Medical Center and to the Mission Valley clinic for patients with medical appointments, Monday through Friday. There is no eligibility requirement for VTS except that you have to have a medical appointment that day. VTS can accommodate all wheelchair types, walkers and scooters. Veterans not requiring assistance are also welcome. To reserve a ride, please call one to seven days in advance. We need at least 24-hour advance notice to schedule a ride.
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV), 858-552-7470 – This program provides FREE round-trip transportation from home to the VA Medical Center and to the Mission Valley clinic for patients with medical appointments. DAV vans are not wheelchair accessible. Please make reservations at least two weeks in advance.
• Special Mode Transportation, 858-552-7575 – This program provides wheelchair and gurney van transportation to Veterans meeting administrative and clinical eligibility requirements. To see if you qualify, for more information or to schedule a ride please call the Special Mode Transportation Coordination office at the VA, Monday through Friday at the number listed above between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Please call from one to seven days in advance of your appointment.
• Metropolitan Transportation Service (MTS), 619-557-4555 – This low cost transportation service provides bus transportation throughout San Diego and North San Diego County

MEDICATION REFILLS: Please use the mail-out process to refill your prescriptions, and remember to place your orders at least two weeks before you run out of medication. Automated Telephone Refill Line: (858) 552-4390. You can also request a refill on-line through My HealtheVet.

• Mail your refill slip(s):
  • VA San Diego Healthcare System (119)
  • 3350 La Jolla Village Drive
  • San Diego, CA 92161
• Outpatient Pharmacy Service
  • (858) 552-7450 Pharmacists are available to answer your medication questions. If you experience an undesirable effect from your medication, immediately call your physician, pharmacist or nurse

The Transition and Care Management Team – is here to serve recently returned combat Veterans (Veterans who served in a theater of combat or were medically separated after November 11, 1998). Our team provides comprehensive information and care coordination to assist you in maximizing your services and benefits. To access the OEF/OIF/OND Care Management Team, you may call the location most convenient for you: San Diego VA Medical Center (858) 642-3615 Mission Valley Clinic (619) 400-5271 Oceanside Clinic (760) 643-2079

The Women Veterans Health Care – (858) 642-3676 – Program is provided through a primary care clinic. The program provides a full array of services to our women Veterans including women’s health screenings, general preventive health screenings, gynecology, access to specialty care, obstetric care and mental health services. Please call the number listed above for an appointment, or contact our Women’s Veteran Program Manager at (858) 642-3676.

• Homeless Veterans Program (619) 497–8989 – The Homeless Veterans Program provides services linking homeless Veterans to various community and government agencies. Please call for more information.
• Legal Assistance (858) 623-1845 – VA San Diego Healthcare System offers limited assistance with Veterans referred to Veterans Court. The applicants must have a mental health issue, substance abuse issue and/or traumatic brain injury which must be related to their time in service. The VA Justice Outreach Program works with Veteran’s Court to offer all available resources for treatment. This includes assessments by the VA Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program and Psychiatric Evaluation Clinic, referrals to residential treatment programs, screening for traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder, and access to VA medical care.
• Aspire Center (855) 297-8397 – The ASPIRE Center is a 40-bed residential treatment facility aimed at promoting recovery in Veterans, particularly those who returned from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Center will provide temporary housing for Veterans who do not need inpatient care, but would benefit from rehabilitation services for an average of 60-120 days. Although the Center will include elements of mental health and substance abuse treatment for those Veterans who need them, the facility will NOT be an inpatient psychiatric facility or mental health hospital, drug rehab program, homeless shelter, or long-term stay facility. For more information, call (855) 297-8397.

My HealtheVet (877) 327-0022 – is the VA’s online personal health record is available to Veterans, active-duty service members, dependants and caregivers. With a My HealtheVet account, you can check your appointments, read clinical notes about past visits; see results for labs, tests and vitals; refill prescriptions and communicate with your VA health care teams – all online. For more information, please visit www.myhealth.va.gov.

1-800-273-TALK (8255) Press “1” for Veterans. For more information go to www.veteranscrisisline.net
Mental Health Services – (858) 642-3391

Offer a wide variety of comprehensive mental health treatment programs including individual and group counseling, specialized therapies and medication based on the Veteran’s individual needs and their treatment plan. We provide treatment for:

1. Alcohol and drug treatment (Substance Use Disorders)
2. Anxiety disorders
3. Depression
4. Bipolar disorder
5. Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders
6. Family mental health program (Couples/conjoint therapy)
7. Loss and bereavement
8. Prevention of suicide
9. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
10. Stop smoking programs (smoking cessation)
11. Mental health care
12. Support in transitioning from military to civilian life
13. Spiritual distress/spiritual pastor care

To access mental health care at the medical center or clinics, there are three options for enrolled patients:

1. For emergencies between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, come to the Psychiatry Emergency Clinic at the VA Medical Center, 2nd floor, north wing. After 4:00 pm and on weekends and holidays, please come to the Emergency Department at the VA Medical Center.
2. Request a referral from your primary care provider
3. Come to the same day walk-in clinic at the medical center on the 2nd floor, north wing.

Provide comprehensive screening, evaluation and treatment for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury. Our Polytrauma Support Clinic Team provides and coordinates interdisciplinary rehabilitation services for Veterans. Contact your primary care provider to request a referral for traumatic brain injury evaluation and treatment. www.sandiego.va.gov/services/Traumatic_Brain_Injury.asp