Lgbq+ veteran care | veterans affairs

CARE WE PROVIDE AT VETERANS HEALTH CARE SYSTEM OF THE OZARKS We promote the health, welfare, and dignity of Veterans who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning

(LGBQ+) or a related identity. We focus on ensuring a safe, welcoming, and affirmative environment when providing you with sensitive and high-quality health care services like:  * Mental

health services, including psychosocial assessments for hormone therapy and gender confirming surgeries * Creative arts therapies * Hormone therapy * HIV and STI testing, counseling, and

care, including PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) 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: Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks maintains the confidentiality of information about sexual orientation and sexual behavior, just like any

other private health information.