Director: Montana VA wait times down, expansion underway

Construction is underway on an addition to the VA Medical Center at Fort Harrison outside Helena.

VA Montana Healthcare System director Dr. Judy Hayman says the 18,000-square-foot construction project is expected to be completed in December.

Hayman also says wait times have improved significantly and the Montana VA is at nearly full staff.

The Great Falls Tribune reports that wait times have been a long-running problem with the Montana VA.

A 2014 audit found that patients had to wait and average of 48 days before their first appointment with a primary doctor.