1. What causes AIDS?                                                               In English           En Espaņol
2. How is HIV transmitted?                                                       In English           En Espaņol
3. How can I prevent the transmission of HIV?                       In English           En Espaņol
4. Where can I get tested for HIV?                                                                                                                                                                                                                   HIV counseling and testing is provided at the 418 E Tyler Westbrook Clinic in Harlingen, TX 78550, 601 N. McColl VAC office in McAllen, TX 78501 and at the 857 E. Washington VAC office in Brownsville, TX 78520 (no appointments necessary) at McAllen and Brownsville Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri from 8am to 4:15pm testing, Harlingen only on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8am-11:15am & 1pm-4pm. (CBAF does our testing and counseling in Corpus Christi area)
5. How do I make an appointment at Westbrook Clinic, McAllen VAC or Brownsville VAC?                                                       

   Contact us at:

• Westbrook Clinic in Harlingen:    1-800-840-3629 (Mon, Tue, Thru, Fri, 8am-5pm Wed 8am-8pm (Testing Wed & Fri 8-11:15am & 1-4pm))
• VAC McAllen:                           1-800-333-7432 (Mon, Tue, Thru, Fri, 8am-5pm (Testing 8am-4:15pm)
• VAC Brownsville:                       1-888-311-2437 (Mon, Tue, Thru, Fri, 8am-5pm (Testing 8am-4:15pm)
• VAC Corpus Christi:                  1-866-907-0616  (Monday - Friday 8am-5pm)

    6.   What should I bring to my first appointment, in order to enroll in services? 

• Proof of residency (e.g., driver's license or recent bill with address)
• Proof of income (e.g., disability statement, recent pay stub, or bank statement)
• Medications individual
• Medical records, if available
• Wester blot confirmatory HIV test.

    7.  What should I bring to follow-up appointments?

• Bring all medications.
• A list of your questions
• Remember: Because of blood work, do not eat after midnight on the day of your visit.

    8.  What other exams or tests should I have annually when I am at the clinic?

• PPD (TB test)
• Dental exam
• Eye exam
• Pap test (women)

   9.  When should I seek medical care as soon as possible?

• Cough coupled with any of the following symptoms:  fever, trouble breathing, or bloody sputum
• Headache coupled with any of the following symptoms: numbness/weakness, fever, stiff neck, or trouble thinking
• Rash coupled with any of the following symptoms:  fever, muscle or joint aches, or severe diarrhea

   10.  How do I get care when the clinic is closed?

    Call 1-800-840-3629. A physician is on call after hours and on weekends in case of medical emergency.  By calling this number, the phone services will page the physician and your call will be returned.

If you are in need of immediate care, please go directly to the nearest Hospital Emergency Department. 

  11.  What is the Ryan White Part C program?

Click here to learn about the Ryan White Program, program eligibility, and financial benefits.

  12.  How can I pay for my clinic visit? 

If you are enrolled in the Ryan White Part C program, payments are based on  sliding fee scale based on household income.

  13.  How can I pay for my medications?

Depending on your income, medications may be provided free through the Texas AIDS Drug Assistance Program (TADAP) or through patient assistance programs offered by drug companies.

  14.  What costs can be applied to my annual cap under the Ryan White Part C program?

You cannot be billed for out-of-pocket medical expenses that exceed 10% of your annual income.  Based on your household income, your cap may be less than 10%.

You are responsible for collecting receipts for all medical expenses that can be applied to meet your annual cap under the Ryan White Part C program.  These expenses can include, but are not limited, to the following:  All physician office visits, mental health and substance abuse counseling, dental care, ophthalmology care, dermatology care, prescriptions, medical insurance premiums and co-pays, and over-the-counter medications.

If you have questions about what expenses can be applied to your cap, please contact(click on name to e-mail) Lizette Saenz, Director of Client Services, 956-428-2653.

  15.  Will the clinic contact my family or employer?   No.

  16.  What is a viral load?  What do these numbers mean?   Click here for fact sheet about viral load tests.

  17.  What is a CD4 cell count?  What do these numbers mean?   Click here for a fact sheet about T-cell tests.

  18.  What is HIV resistance testing?  Click here for a fact sheet about resistance testing.

  19.  What are opportunistic infections?  Click here for a brochure about opportunistic infections. 

  20.  How can I get to the clinic if I have no transportation? 

The Medical Case Managers work with our patients in identifying transportation resources to aid them in keeping their appointments at the clinic.  The transportation department will provide transportation, as needed to our patients.

  21.  What are my rights as a patient?

Advance Directives - The patient has the right to receive information about and to formulate advance directives.

Ethical Issues - The patient has the right to participate in consideration of ethical issues that arise in the care of the patient.

Access to Care - Individuals shall be accorded impartial access to treatment or accommodations that are available and medically indicated, regardless of race, creed, sex, national origin, handicap, or sources of payment for care.

Respect and Dignity - The patient has the right to considerate, respectful care at all times and under all circumstances, with recognition of personal dignity.

Privacy and Confidentiality - The patient has the right, within the law , to privacy concerning his/her medical care.  Examination and treatment, consultation and case discussion are confidential and will be conducted discreetly.  Medical Records, communications and records pertaining to a patient's care are to be treated confidentially and are governed information in his or her medical record.

Personal Safety - The patient has the right to expect reasonable safety insofar as the clinic practices and environment are concerned.

Information - The patient has the right to obtain from his/her physician complete information concerning diagnosis (to the degree known), treatment, and known prognosis in terms that the patient can reasonably be expected to understand. When it is not medically advisable to give such information to the patient, the information should be made available to an appropriate individual on the patient’s behalf. The patient has the right to know, by name, the physician primarily responsible for coordinating his/her care.

Communication - When the patient does not speak or understand the predominant language of the community, every effort should be made to provide an interpreter.

Consent - The patient has the right to reasonable participation in decisions involving his/her health care. To the degree possible, this should be based on a clear, concise explanation of the patient’s condition and of all proposed technical procedures, including the possibilities of any risk of mortality or serious side effects, problems related to recuperation, and probability of success. The patient should not be subjected to any procedure without voluntary, competent, and understanding consent or the consent of the legally authorized representative. When medically significant alternatives for care or treatment exist, the patient shall be so informed. The patient has the right to know the identity and professional status of individuals providing services to him or her.

Participation in Research - The patient shall be informed if the provider proposes to engage in or perform human experimentation or other research/educational projects affecting his care or treatment; the patient may choose to participate, refuse to participate and/or discontinue participation at any time.

Consultation - The patient has the right to request consultation with another physician. The attending physician will be responsible for contacting other consultants at the request of the patient, the next of kin (if the patient is unable to make the request), or the legal guardian.

Refusal of Treatment - The patient, or a legally authorized representative, may refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law and will be informed about the medical consequences of such a refusal. When refusal of treatment by the patient or the legally authorized representative prevents the provision of appropriate care in accordance with professional standards, the relationship with the patient may be terminated upon reasonable notice.

Continuity of Care - The patient has the right to expect that services needed and ordered by the physician will be available.

Charges -The patient has the right to request and receive an itemized and detailed explanation of the total bill for services rendered regardless of the source of payment for that care.

 22. What are the responsibilities of patient?

Provision of Information - The patient has the responsibility to provide, to the best of his/her knowledge, accurate and complete information about matters relating to his/her health. The patient is responsible for providing current phone numbers, addresses, and emergency contacts. The patient has the responsibility to report unexpected changes in his/her condition to the responsible practitioner. The patient is responsible for reporting whether he/she clearly understands the plan of care and what is expected of him/her.

Adherence to Treatment Plan -  The patient is responsible for following the treatment plan recommended by the practitioner primarily responsible for his/her care.

Refusal of Treatment - The patient is responsible for his/her actions if he/she refused treatment or does not follow the practitioner's instructions.

Charges - The patient is responsible for assuring that the financial obligations of provided health care are fulfilled as promptly as possible. The patient is responsible for collecting receipts for all medical expenses that can be applied to meet their annual cap under the Ryan White Part C program. These expenses can include, but are not limited, to the following: All physician office visits, mental health and substance abuse counseling, dental care, ophthalmology care, dermatology care, prescriptions, medical insurance premiums and co-pays, and over-the-counter medications.

Respect and Consideration -The patient has the responsibility to respect the rights and the professional integrity of those providing care. The patient is responsible for notifying the clinic regarding any cancellations within 24 hours of appointments. Missed appointments mean patients who may need to be seen must wait for appointments unnecessarily. The patient is responsible for arriving on time for all appointments. Late appointments cause delays for other patients and for the caregiver. If patients arrive later than 15 minutes past their scheduled appointment time without prior notice, their appointment will be rescheduled to the next available time. The patient is responsible for being considerate of the rights of other patients and VAC personnel, and for assisting in the control of noise. The patient is responsible for being respectful of the property of other persons and of the VAC.