Patients

What You Need to Know

Better communication. Better satisfaction.

To streamline our patient communications and lessen wait times, Mid-Cities Medical will soon be using an online chat platform to handle all kinds of patient-centered tasks through a user-centered interface – like ordering supplies, scheduling travel, checking on shipped packages, and much more.

Through this chat interface, most patient questions can be handled quickly and concurrently, and when an ask cannot be answered or needs more one-on-one attention, it is immediately escalated to one of our live agents.

At Mid-Cities Medical, every minute a patient waits is a minute they aren’t getting care and it is our belief that this new chat platform will help patients and providers get answers, solve problems, and take actions quickly and easily.

Better communication. Better satisfaction. Better for patients. Just another way Mid-Cities Medical continues to deliver “World-Class Customer Service” and equipment to every customer every time.

medchat widget

Text Messages from Mid-Cities Medical

In today’s information-rich and distraction-filled world, Mid-Cities Medical wants to ensure its patients can quickly and easily receive crucial (and possibly lifesaving) information. That’s where a communication tool like SMS notifications comes into play.

Starting this month, we will begin sending text messages to our patient’s mobile phones to share timely and relevant notifications, such as Emergency Alerts, Appointment Reminders, Important Announcements, and Account Updates.

Mid-Cities Medical is confident our patients will appreciate these timely and relevant updates and encourage you to provide current mobile phone details – including Emergency Contact numbers – to one of our team members as soon as possible; or during your next scheduled technician visit.

sms messaging

Let us know if you have any questions concerning this new and exciting way of staying informed and up-to-date, and Mid-Cities Medical will continue to provide “World-Class Customer Service” to our Veteran patients, their Caregivers, and our VA Customers.

What you need to know about traveling with oxygen

Before arranging holiday travel plans, there are several things an oxygen patient should do to ensure things go smoothly.

  • The VA Medical Center will cover two trips per patient per year. The total amount of time allowed during these two trips can total four weeks per year.
  • Patients need to contact Mid-Cities Medical one month to 14 days before departure to get VA Approval, coordinate equipment availability, create orders, and allow for delivery time.
  • Requests received under the 14-day time limit will be submitted to the VA. However, the VA Medical Center does have the right to refuse coverage if notice is too short.
  • VISN 17 (Texas) patients must submit travel requests through the Respiratory Department – Home Oxygen Clinic. Texas Medical Centers write prescriptions for approved travel.
  • When calling, patient will need to provide the following information:
    • Dates of travel (not to exceed 30 total days)
    • Mode of travel
      • Airline – include total flight time, including layovers
      • Train – include total travel time
      • Bus – include total travel time
      • Private vehicle (RV, Car, Motorcycle, etc.) – if the trip is one day or requires multiple stops between patient residence and end destination
    • If end destination setup will be required, or if more than a Portable Oxygen Concentrator is needed:
      • Physical address of where the patient is staying
      • Direct contact person’s name and phone number
      • Dates to be spent at individual locations, if entire trip is not based at a single location
  • Reason for trip – Vacation, holiday, medical treatment, permanent move (state or region), snowbird winter/summer (temporary move), event, or other.
  • International travel is not covered by the VA Medical Centers. Patient will be provided a phone number to contact the VA’s special international travel department.
  • VISN 22 (AZ and CA) limits the number of trips per year and days covered. If you are making multiple trips, be aware that the VA may deny travel coverage after 2 trips or 30 total days.

VISN 17 – Texas, 1 (888) 450-6676
VISN 22 – Arizona, 1 (833) 986-4267
VISN 22 – Southern California, 1 (833) 986-4267
CalOx Inc. – 1 (866) 519-2414

Important Emergency Preparation Steps

  • Review all available safety components.
  • Create and have an evacuation plan for your residence.
  • Take as much oxygen and ventilation equipment with you, should you need to evacuate.
  • Contact Mid-Cities Medical for emergency assistance and setup. You will need to provide us with your evacuation address and contact details.
  • Texas – 1 (888) 450-6676
  • CA & AZ – 1 (833) 986-4267

If you have any oxygen or ventilation preparation questions during these ongoing events, or need emergency assistance, please contact our offices:

emergency preparedness

VISN 17 – Texas, 1 (888) 450-6676
VISN 22 – Arizona, 1 (833) 986-4267
VISN 22 – Southern California, 1 (833) 986-4267
CalOx Inc. – 1 (866) 519-2414

Veterans Affairs Home Oxygen Manual

Please read through this Veterans Affairs Home Oxygen Instruction Manual, as it will help you become familiar with the program and your new equipment. If you should have any questions, call us toll-free:

  • Texas Patients: 1 (888) 450-6676 or (972) 641-7445
  • Arizona Patients: Phoenix VA – 1 (888) 986-4267, Tucson VA – 1 (888) 986-4267,
    Prescott VA – 1 (866) 519-2414 (Calox)
  • California Patients: 1 (833) 986-4267
  • Hearing Impaired patients may use the Texas Relay by calling (800) 735-2988.
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oxygen manual
manual de oxigeno
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