Veterans,

We want to share an important update about how appointments are scheduled at the Veteran Health Care System of the Ozarks. Our goal is to protect your privacy, respect your rights, and make sure decisions about your health care stay in your hands.

What’s Changing

To comply with the Privacy Act and VA privacy policies, only you—the Veteran—can schedule, reschedule, or cancel your VA appointments. This means that family members, next of kin, emergency contacts, and caregivers cannot make appointment changes on your behalf unless the VA has legal authorization on file (such as a Power of Attorney or guardianship documentation). This requirement aligns with federal privacy laws governing how VA may collect, maintain, and use information about individuals, ensuring that your personally identifiable information (PII) and protected health information (PHI) are shared only with those legally permitted to receive it.

  Why This Change Matters Your privacy is protected under federal law, including the Privacy Act, HIPAA, and other VA confidentiality statutes. These laws make sure your information is used appropriately and only disclosed when necessary and authorized. They also reinforce your right to make your own decisions about your health care and who may access your information. This update helps us honor those rights and maintain the highest standards of security and respect for all Veterans.

What You Need to Do If you need to make any changes to your appointments, please contact the VA directly. We’re here to help, and our staff will gladly assist you. If you believe someone should be able to act on your behalf, we can guide you through what legal documents are required and how to submit them.

Your Rights As always, you have the right to: - Review and receive copies of your own health information - Request amendments - Ask for confidential communications - Request an accounting of disclosures - Place certain restrictions on how your information is shared These rights are part of VA’s commitment to protecting your information and supporting your care.

 For more information, please contact Maegen Jones, Government Information Specialist.

Email: Maegen.Jones@va.gov

Office: 479-443-4301 ext. 64038

Cell: 479-466-7697

 VHSO, where Veterans come first!