We're following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance to pause in providing the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine at this time. This pause is due to a concern about possible rare side effects. Your safety is our top priority. We are currently calling all Veterans who received the J&J Vaccine to reconfirm they have had no symptoms.

For more information, go to the CDC website.

Read the CDC and FDA statement on the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine

Those scheduled for Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) will be rescheduled to receive the Moderna Vaccine.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update: The Montana VA Health Care System (MTVAHCS) is excited to announce that the first shipment of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines arrived at our Fort Harrison VA Medical Center this morning!

The vaccine will be distributed to enrolled Veterans based on a risk stratification table. First, MTVAHCS frontline staff and our Community Living Center residents and staff will be vaccinated. Veterans who are considered highly vulnerable will be the next to receive the vaccine.

As you are identified by clinical staff to be within each risk level to receive the Moderna vaccine, a healthcare team member will contact you to schedule a vaccine appointment. MTVAHCS encourages all Veterans to receive a COVID-19 vaccination (the vaccine is not mandatory). We understand that you may have questions about a new vaccine. Please do not hesitate to send your healthcare team a secure message through MyHealtheVet or call 844-819-0833 to set up a time to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Moderna vaccine will be administered in two separate doses, approximately one month apart. Recipients may experience a mild reaction to the first dose (injection site soreness, muscle aches, etc.) and possibly a greater reaction to the second dose (chills, nausea, headaches, fever, fatigue, etc.).

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine, reference these COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs. To learn more about the MTVAHCS’s COVID-19 response, please read here.

Holiday hours: Please note that Montana VA Health Care System locations will be closed on Friday, December 25^th. This year, December 24^th has been declared a federal holiday. The following clinics will be closed on December 24^th: Anaconda, Miles City, Glendive, Glasgow, Havre, Hamilton, and Cut Bank. Lewistown, Missoula, Great Falls, Fort Harrison, Kalispell, Bozeman, and Billings will be closing at noon or later on 12/24. All appointments scheduled for December 24th will still take place. Please call 844-819-0833 if you would like to reschedule.

Virtual options (VA Video Connect or phone) may also available for those wanting their appointment at an earlier time or date.

On December 24^th, for non-emergency related health questions or concerns, please call the Nurse Triage Line at 1-877-468-8387. For emergencies, please call 911 or go to the closest Emergency Department.

We wish you all the blessings, joy, and peace of this holiday season! It is our honor to serve you!

In November, Montana VA Health Care System transitioned to fifty percent face-to-face appointments and fifty percent virtual appointments. If you have an upcoming appointment, you will receive a phone call to go over your options. Also at this time, elective surgeries are being paused and rescheduled for a later date. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your primary care team. The Nurse Triage Line is also available at any time (24/7) at 1-877-468-8387. 

You will always have access to your healthcare teams because you and your healthcare teams have the right tools to remain connected. Tools such as MyHealtheVet means that you can message your healthcare team any time you have questions. VA Video Connect means that many of your appointments can be done from the comfort of your own home and you can have a face-to-face appointment with your provider. Montana VA staff are available to help you get comfortable with all of your telehealth options, so please do not hesitate to reach out—we are here for you!

MTVAHCS COVID-19 Vaccines 

We're working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal partners to plan for providing COVID-19 vaccines to VA health care personnel and Veterans. We know you have a lot of questions, and information is changing quickly. Please visit https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine/ for updates. We'll continue to update this page as we have new information to offer.

COVID-19 Pre-screening Tool

Every person who enters a MTVAHCS faciltiy must be screened for safety reasons. To reduce wait times, ease stress, and lower exposure risk, we’re offering a new digital pre-entry screening tool. Veterans, caregivers, and employees can answer questions on their mobile phones and share their results at the facility entrance. To use the tool, simply text the word "screen" to 53079.

MTVAHCS Mask Policy

Everyone entering MTVAHCS health facility will be required to wear a mask. If you don’t have one, VA will provide you one when you arrive.

MTVAHCS Visitation Policy

As of 11/4/2020, no visitors are allowed in Montana VA’s Fort Harrison Medical Center (exceptions can be made for hospice and end-of-life cases) or other Montana VA sites. All Veterans are required to come solo to appointments unless assistance from a direct caregiver is needed and/or it is medically necessary (visitors will be evaluated on a case-by-case instance).

Fort Harrison Pharmacy Update

The Fort Harrison pharmacy is temporarily closed to walk-ins. You have two convenient ways to receive your prescriptions: First, you can have your prescriptions mailed to you!  Call 1-877-468-8387 (option 1) to have your prescriptions delivered to your front door. Second, curbside pickup is available outside Fort Harrison from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m for urgent medication needs. Call 1-877-468-8387 (option 1) to request this service.

Access VA Care from Home

Veterans can receive care at home — either over the phone or via VA Video Connect. You can also refill prescriptions, send secure messages to your health care team and get text messages about COVID-19. Learn more.

Montana continues to have record-breaking numbers of COVID-19 cases. The increase in patients with COVID-19 who need to be hospitalized are stretching the Montana’s health systems’ capacity to treat them. That’s why we strongly encourage all Veterans to be proactive, follow local guidance, mask up, socialize safely and avoid gatherings outside of your household, and help us all stop the spread of COVID-19.
 
In November, Montana VA Health Care System transitioned to fifty percent face-to-face appointments and fifty percent virtual appointments. If you have an upcoming appointment, you will receive a phone call to go over your options. Also at this time, elective surgeries are being paused and rescheduled for a later date. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your primary care team. The Nurse Triage Line is also available at any time (24/7) at 1-877-468-8387. 

You will always have access to your healthcare teams because you and your healthcare teams have the right tools to remain connected. Tools such as MyHealtheVet means that you can message your healthcare team any time you have questions. VA Video Connect means that many of your appointments can be done from the comfort of your own home and you can have a face-to-face appointment with your provider. Montana VA staff are available to help you get comfortable with all of your telehealth options, so please do not hesitate to reach out—we are here for you!

COVID-19 Pre-screening Tool

Every person who enters a MTVAHCS faciltiy must be screened for safety reasons. To reduce wait times, ease stress, and lower exposure risk, we’re offering a new digital pre-entry screening tool. Veterans, caregivers, and employees can answer questions on their mobile phones and share their results at the facility entrance. To use the tool, simply text the word "screen" to 53079.

MTVAHCS Mask Policy

Everyone entering MTVAHCS health facility will be required to wear a mask. If you don’t have one, VA will provide you one when you arrive.

MTVAHCS Visitation Policy

As of 11/4/2020, no visitors are allowed in Montana VA’s Fort Harrison Medical Center (exceptions can be made for hospice and end-of-life cases) or other Montana VA sites. All Veterans are required to come solo to appointments unless assistance from a direct caregiver is needed and/or it is medically necessary (visitors will be evaluated on a case-by-case instance).

Fort Harrison Pharmacy Update

The Fort Harrison pharmacy is temporarily closed to walk-ins. You have two convenient ways to receive your prescriptions: First, you can have your prescriptions mailed to you!  Call 1-877-468-8387 (option 1) to have your prescriptions delivered to your front door. Second, curbside pickup is available outside Fort Harrison from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m for urgent medication needs. Call 1-877-468-8387 (option 1) to request this service.

Access VA Care from Home

Veterans can receive care at home — either over the phone or via VA Video Connect. You can also refill prescriptions, send secure messages to your health care team and get text messages about COVID-19. Learn more.

As you know, Montana continues to have record-breaking numbers of COVID-19 cases. The increase in patients with COVID-19 who need to be hospitalized are stretching the Montana’s health systems’ capacity to treat them. That’s why we strongly encourage all Veterans to be proactive, follow local guidance, mask up, socialize safely and avoid gatherings outside of your household, and help us all stop the spread of COVID-19.

This week, Montana VA Health Care System is transitioning to fifty percent face-to-face appointments and fifty percent virtual appointments. If you have an upcoming appointment, you will receive a phone call to go over your options. Also at this time, elective surgeries are being paused and rescheduled for a later date. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your primary care team. The Nurse Triage Line is also available at any time (24/7) at 1-877-468-8387. 

You will always have access to your healthcare teams because you and your healthcare teams have the right tools to remain connected. Tools such as MyHealtheVet means that you can message your healthcare team any time you have questions. VA Video Connect means that many of your appointments can be done from the comfort of your own home and you can have a face-to-face appointment with your provider. Montana VA staff are available to help you get comfortable with all of your telehealth options, so please do not hesitate to reach out—we are here for you!

COVID-19 Pre-screening Tool

Every person who enters a MTVAHCS faciltiy must be screened for safety reasons. To reduce wait times, ease stress, and lower exposure risk, we’re offering a new digital pre-entry screening tool. Veterans, caregivers, and employees can answer questions on their mobile phones and share their results at the facility entrance. To use the tool, simply text the word screen to 53079.

MTVAHCS Mask Policy

Everyone entering MTVAHCS health facility will be required to wear a mask. If you don’t have one, VA will provide you one when you arrive.

MTVAHCS Visitation Policy

As of 11/4/2020, no visitors are allowed in Montana VA’s Fort Harrison Medical Center (exceptions can be made for hospice and end-of-life cases) or other Montana VA sites. All Veterans are required to come solo to appointments unless assistance from a direct caregiver is needed and/or it is medically necessary (visitors will be evaluated on a case-by-case instance).

Fort Harrison Pharmacy Update

The Fort Harrison pharmacy is temporarily closed to walk-ins. You have two convenient ways to receive your prescriptions: First, you can have your prescriptions mailed to you!  Call 1-877-468-8387 (option 1) to have your prescriptions delivered to your front door. Second, curbside pickup is available outside Fort Harrison from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m for urgent medication needs. Call 1-877-468-8387 (option 1) to request this service.

Access VA Care from Home

Veterans can receive care at home — either over the phone or via VA Video Connect. You can also refill prescriptions, send secure messages to your health care team and get text messages about COVID-19. Learn more.

As you know, Montana continues to have record-breaking numbers of COVID-19 cases. The increase in patients with COVID-19 who need to be hospitalized are stretching the Montana’s health systems’ capacity to treat them. That’s why we strongly encourage all Veterans to be proactive, follow local guidance, mask up, socialize safely and avoid gatherings outside of your household, and help us all stop the spread of COVID-19.

This week, Montana VA Health Care System is transitioning to fifty percent face-to-face appointments and fifty percent virtual appointments. If you have an upcoming appointment, you will receive a phone call to go over your options. Also at this time, elective surgeries are being paused and rescheduled for a later date. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your primary care team. The Nurse Triage Line is also available at any time (24/7) at 1-877-468-8387. 

You will always have access to your healthcare teams because you and your healthcare teams have the right tools to remain connected. Tools such as MyHealtheVet means that you can message your healthcare team any time you have questions. VA Video Connect means that many of your appointments can be done from the comfort of your own home and you can have a face-to-face appointment with your provider. Montana VA staff are available to help you get comfortable with all of your telehealth options, so please do not hesitate to reach out—we are here for you!

Finally, we hope you will join us this Monday, November 23^rd, for a virtual town hall from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. During the town hall, you can hear updates on Montana VA's COVID-19 response, ways to stay safe and well this holiday season, and other important updates! Also, there will be a Q&A section, so bring your questions! You can connect to Monday’s town hall either by calling in (dial 866-478-3358) or by livestreaming the event from the Montana VA Facebook page or via www.access.live/MontanaVATownHall.

At Montana VA, we recognize the sacrifices you have made to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Please continue the success you have earned these past nine months and remain proactive and vigilant. Your leadership has helped prevent Montana’s hospitals and clinics from being overwhelmed by COVID-19, and for that, your Montana VA healthcare teams on the front lines are truly grateful.

Thank you for all you do and it is our honor to serve you.

Sincerely,

Your Montana VA Healthcare Team

Starting 11/04/2020, no visitors are allowed in Montana VA’s Fort Harrison Medical Center (exceptions can be made for hospice and end-of-life cases) or other Montana VA sites. All Veterans are required to come solo to appointments unless assistance from a direct caregiver is needed and/or it is medically necessary (visitors will be evaluated on a case-by-case instance).

If you are a family member of a patient at Fort Harrison Medical Center, please contact the following numbers with questions: 

    - To reach patients or medical staff on the 4th floor, please contact the nurse’s station at 406-447-7940 
    - To reach patients or medical staff on the ICU floor, please call  447-7950.

This policy is subject to change.

All visitors, patients, employees and others must wear a mask to enter any VA facility and will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before entering. Please do not come to a VA medical facility if you have flu-like symptoms. Please call 877-468-8387 and press 3 to speak with your care team. More information

1. Monday-Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and
2. Saturday and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Families for patients on the 4th floor can contact the nurse’s station at 406-447-7940 with any questions or to speak to their Veteran. Families of patients in the ICU floor can contact the nurse’s station at 447-7950, for any questions or to speak to their Veteran. Please call your local Montana VA clinic with any questions or concerns.

Please do not come to a VA medical facility if you have flu-like symptoms. Please call 877-468-8387 and press 3 to speak with your care team. More information

COVID-19 Updates

As we welcome Veterans back, we will continue safety measures including but not limited to physical distancing, environmental cleaning recommendations outlined by the CDC, 100 percent face covering, and staff and Veteran screening for signs of COVID-19 infection. Safe care is our mission and our continuing commitment to Veterans and staff. More information.

If you are having a medical emergency, please call 911. If you are having a mental health crisis, please call 1-800-273-8255 (click option 1). You can always send us a message via MyHealtheVet.
We apologize for the inconvenience and will post back here when our phone lines are up and running.

COVID-19 Updates

As we welcome Veterans back, we will continue safety measures including but not limited to physical distancing, environmental cleaning recommendations outlined by the CDC, 100 percent face covering, and staff and Veteran screening for signs of COVID-19 infection. Safe care is our mission and our continuing commitment to Veterans and staff. More information.

If you are having a medical emergency, please call 911. If you are having a mental health crisis, please call 1-800-273-8255 (click option 1). You can always send us a message via MyHealtheVet.
We apologize for the inconvenience and will post back here when our phone lines are up and running.

COVID-19 Updates

As we welcome Veterans back, we will continue safety measures including but not limited to physical distancing, environmental cleaning recommendations outlined by the CDC, 100 percent face covering, and staff and Veteran screening for signs of COVID-19 infection. Safe care is our mission and our continuing commitment to Veterans and staff. More information.

As we welcome Veterans back, we will continue safety measures including but not limited to physical distancing, environmental cleaning recommendations outlined by the CDC, 100 percent face covering, and staff and Veteran screening for signs of COVID-19 infection. Safe care is our mission and our continuing commitment to Veterans and staff. More information.