Appointments

At VA Black Hills Health Care System, a number of established procedures are in place to better assist you in getting an appointment without a long delay.  Our goals are simple:

• You should be able to see your Primary Care provider within one to two business days.
• You should have faster access to specialty care.

If you receive a postcard stating you need to make an appointment, please call the Medical Center at 1-800-743-1070, extension 7349.  If you cannot keep your existing appointment, please contact the medical center at 1-800-743-1070, extension 7349 as soon as possible to reschedule.

Driving Directions

For driving directions to our Ft. Meade or Hot Springs campus, please click here

Eligibility

All veterans are encouraged to enroll in the VA Health Care System. You can visit our Eligibilty QuickPage to for more information. Before receiving services, you should first determine your eligibility by completing the "Application for Health Care"  10-10EZ form.  You can submit the form online or you can print the form and mail it to:

You can also bring the form to either medical center.  The Eligibility Office is located on the ground floor, Building 12 in Hot Springs; or on the main floor in Fort Meade. Whether mailing or bringing your application to the VA, please include the following items:

• A copy of both sides of your current insurance card (including Medicare or Medicaid).
• A copy of your DD214, "Armed Forces Report of Transfer or Discharge.
• For Purple Heart Recipients Only - A copy of your award letter if "Purple Heart" is not noted on your DD214.

Patient Representatives

VA Black Hills Health Care System has on staff highly skilled patient representatives who are eager to help you with your concern.  They serve as liaisons between patients and the medical centers, act on the patient's behalf, and help patients understand their rights and responsibilities.  You can contact them at (605) 347-7179 in Fort Meade and (605) 745-2060 in Hot Springs.

Patient Feedback Tools

Black Hills Heath Care System also provides a number of feedback tools for you to provide information about the care and service you receive.  Please time the time to participate in and use these feedback tools.  Our goal is to provide compassionate, quality care in a timely manner.

• Comment Card Boxes - your feedback about the care and services you receive while in the medical center provides an opportunity to make changes and improvements.  There are comment cards located throughout the medical centers for your to express a concern, make a suggestion, or give a compliment.
  
• Survey of Healthcare Experience of Patients - After your visit, you may receive a confidential questionnaire in the mail asking you about your most recent outpatient or inpatient treatment at the medical center.  Please use this survey to let us know your concerns, complaints or questions you have about your care so that we may resolve them.  We also appreciate any compliments about what we are doing right.