Lgbtq+ veteran care | veterans affairs

CARE WE PROVIDE AT VA ALEXANDRIA We promote the health, welfare, and dignity of Veterans who identify as LGBTQ+. We focus on ensuring a safe, welcoming, and affirmative environment when

providing you with sensitive and high-quality health care services like:  * Creative arts therapies * Hormone therapy * Testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections, counseling, and

care, including post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for Veterans at risk for HIV * Other prevention, screening, wellness, and testing services POLICIES AND

PRACTICES TO KNOW The care coordinator can help you get started with care or with navigating any of these issues. VISITATION: A same-sex partner, family member, friend, or other individual

can be present with the patient for emotional support during the course of the patient's stay. DEFINITION OF FAMILY: "Family" may include individual(s) not legally related to

the individual. Family members include spouses, domestic partners, different-sex and same-sex significant others. ADVANCE DIRECTIVES: Veterans may designate any person as a decision-maker

for care if they won't be able to make these decisions themselves. This includes same-sex partners. Advance directive agents are chosen by the Veteran and do not need to be biologically

related. DOCUMENTATION IN MEDICAL RECORDS: VA Alexandria maintains the confidentiality of information about sexual orientation, and sexual behavior,  just like any other private health

information. CHANGING NAME IN RECORDS: Your name in your medical record will reflect your legal name.