Lgbtq+ veteran care | veterans affairs

CARE WE PROVIDE AT VA BLACK HILLS HEALTH CARE We promote the health, welfare, and dignity of all Veterans and their families. We focus on ensuring a safe and welcoming environment when

providing you with sensitive and high-quality health care services like: More information can be found here on LGBTQ+ Health at VA and resources. POLICIES AND PRACTICES TO KNOW The care

coordinator can help you get started with care or with navigating any of these issues. VISITATION: A 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 Black Hills maintains the confidentiality of information about sexual orientation, sexual behavior, and gender identity, just like any other private health information.

CHANGING NAME OR SEX IN RECORDS: Your name in your medical record will reflect your legal name.  You have the right to request that your name and sex are updated as appropriate. There are

established procedures for changing your name and sex with the VA Privacy Officer.