Starting on July 27th , Veteran patients at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center and its six community clinics will be receiving text message appointment reminders, allowing them to confirm or cancel their appointment via their mobile device.
This national VA program called VEText will send text reminders seven days before the appointment, with a second reminder sent two days before the appointment to help reduce scheduled but unused appointments. If Veterans cancel their appointments through VEText, VA will then offer any newly opened time slots to other Veterans. VEText will not replace current appointment reminders such as appointment letters and reminder phone calls. It enhances current appointment notices.
“We know that it can sometimes be hard to keep track of multiple appointment times,” said Charleston VAMC Director Scott Isaacks. “We want to make it easier on our patients and we believe VEText is an important program that will help alert our Veterans –helping them stay on track with their health care needs and goals.”
Every Veteran with a cell phone number listed in their health record is automatically enrolled in VEText, so it is very important for Veterans to ensure that Charleston VAMC has your current phone number. Veterans may update their phone numbers during check-in at their next appointment, or use the self-service kiosks located throughout our facilities. Veterans may opt out of VEText by replying STOP to appointment reminder text.
VEText will be implemented at every VA nationwide by October 1 .
