This is a story that I believe veterans should be aware of:

I have been receiving medical care from the VA since before
the turn of the century. Medicare premiums have also been
deducted from my social security ever since 2000 when I turned
65.

In April 2017 I had a heart attack. Medics were taking me
to the VA in the ambulance. They called ahead to the VA to
tell them we were en-route. The VA said don't bring him here,
all our beds are full, take him to some other hospital.

At a regional medical center I was visited by a cardiologist who
went over their plan for my care. I asked if she had conversed
with the VA. She said "yes it is fine with them."

Everything was peachy until the bills started coming in. Little
did I know, in situations like this, medicare is considered the
primary, so medicare did pay most of the charges.

I thought surely the VA would pick up the balances, but NO,
they can quote rules, regulations, and laws to cover their ***
and consequently they would not pay a dime.

After a year of begging, cajoling, pleading, writing to congressman,
talking to lawyers, etc. etc. I finally decided it
would be easier to squeeze blood out of the proverbial turnip
than to get the VA to do what I still believe was their responsibility.

It cost me a couple of grand (I could have bought a couple of
pretty nice S&Ws). Lesson learned. A word to the wise is
sufficient.

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In Omnia Paratus

Not a Vet, but I learned the hard way also, that two "Primary" coverages does not equal a "Primary" and "Secondary" coverage. Luckily for me I had documented the conversations that gave me the wrong information, and was able to retroactively get coverage for surgery due to their bad information.


Wound up getting secondary through AARP and dropping the useless second primary policy through work.

So many options out there that even studying what is the best coverage for you can be very confusing. Was hoping the government would work on health care but they can’t seem to get it done. The VA is getting better but I still keep my regular insurance from my early retirement from a major oil company,Medicare and the VA!

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Hue 68 noli me tangere

After taking my grandfather (a wounded WWI veteran) out of a VA hospital to a private hospital to save money and get better care - unfortunately nothing from the VA would surprise me. I am sure that running the VA is a daunting task that I know little about, but it seems to me that there has to be a better way to comprehensively care for our veterans through one agency. Medicare and the VA get their resources from the same pockets - ours. Does it really matter so much who the middleman is?

As I found out all VA's are not the same. When in Texas the VA covered my eye care, injections, medications etc, even eye exams and glasses. Moving to Florida I went to the local VA to get signed up. I was told then that they only provided eye exams, no treatments unless active duty connected injury. And that would be 120 days before an exam could be preformed. I told them they provided this care at VA in Texas, they said, not here, we don't have the funding. I would have thought they all got funded according to need but I guess not. Good thing I also have Medicare and a supplement policy. I do believe our veterans get the short end of the stick on medical care.

At Sep's Center aboard Camp Pendleton 1973 we were told we'd get medical, dental and eye care etc for life thanks to our honorable service to our Country.
What a joke.

Co-payments for non service connected (old age) problems plus medicare deductions from SS payments add up fast.
Thank God for my union pension.

Illegal aliens get more from our government (FREE) than U.S. Vets.

Are we talking short term service or retired military ? My father in law is retired AF after 30 years . His nearest VA center is in Tampa , which is 60 -70 miles away . He has the option of going there or going to a local Dr. or dentist . He has nothing but good to say about it , but don't be in a hurry . Ozark marine , that's one of his sayings , (they promised us medical for life) . But sadly , Washington forgot about our vets .
Semper Fi

Right now I am 70 in good health, and have nothing to with the VA, I hear all kinds of terrible stories like yours.
Yes I have card, but that's has far has it goes.

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USAF/RET. 1966-1990

I don't have a card and want nothing to do with the VA. Needs to be privatized.

I have zero experience with the VA or with Medicare or Social Security benefits. One thing I do have plenty of experience with is medical bills and insurance coverage that balks at paying them.

My advice and I push this hard and enthusiastically:

Do NOT pay any medical bill that any entity tells you that you are responsible for within the first year. No way, no how, never, unless you are certain that it's genuinely your responsibility.

Easy for me to say since it's (potentially) your credit and not mine, but they won't go anywhere near your credit regardless of what the bill has written on it.

These insurance companies and government bureaucracies do this repitition of denial as standard procedure. It's the path of least resistance for them to cut massive costs across the board. The three parties (care provider and two insurers) will argue incessantly and delay payment while someone hopes that you capitulate and pay up.

Don't do it. Give them two years. Especially if you are post-65 and a home owner who doesn't have need to lean on the credit/rating system for future loans or mortgages.

In my experience, they eventually run out of excuses and pay their liabilities -IF- you haven't made it easy and pay it for them.

I learned this as a young man and a new Father of a premature daughter. She's nearly 19 now and her 1999 birth was a third of a million dollar, 2-lb 12.5 ounce miracle! Not once ever has any medical bill ever dinged my credit and I've been sent countless DOZENS of them in my adult life.

Haha, I shouldn't brag about this but I'll use it as an example. It was June 2016 the last time I saw a gastroenterologist. It was yesterday (Tuesday) when I paid the $13 bill they had literally been sending me for the last 14 or so months. WHY? Because I let the billing department and my insurance argue over my personal liability and I give them plenty of time to do it.

Meanwhile, I bought a car last August and closed on my new house in April. The one single ding on my credit score was that the lender didn't like that I bought a $12,000 used car just 8 months before applying for a home loan.

I am in my 68th orbit around the sun. I have experienced VA medical care since the 1970's, when a piece of shrapnel in my knee came loose requiring surgery, and 6 weeks later I reported at Oh-Dark-Thirty to the VA Hospital for outpatient surgery, then I was introduced to my surgeon, AND HIS INTERPRETER! Some off-brand dude from whatever country, couldn't speak English at all! I yelled "NO WAY" and left, then about 6 months later (with the assistance of a couple of senators and a congressman) I had my problem fixed at a US Army Hospital with an active duty (American) surgeon doing the work.

I remember being treated like an annoying street person by personnel at VA clinics. More than once I went out of my way to complain, but all that cost me was time and energy. No one cared.

Fast forward to about 2004, and a lot of things changed. Going into a VA clinic I am treated with courtesy, I am addressed by name, and I am provided with very good care in every respect. Sure, I never have the same primary care physician for more than a year or two (they seem to burn them out with bureaucratic nonsense, but it is the US Government we are dealing with, right?). At least I get seen by medical professionals on a regular basis, my basic needs are met, my prescriptions are provided at little or no cost (not a small thing, as we get older!).

Went to an urgent care center to deal with a spider bite. Was admitted and treated on my VA card. Problem gone, no bills whatsoever.

After VA colonoscopy treatment for cancerous growths (down there where cameras were never intended to go) I went home, and 8 days later started to bleed out. Went to the local hospital ER, spent 3 days getting excellent care, and received no bills whatsoever. Came home ALIVE AND WELL.

Now I am on Medicare. I suspect that VA will try to transfer as much onto Medicare as they can so they can control their own budget. I can't argue with that. If Medicare pays 80% for out-of-VA-care I'll just have to pony up the rest.

Sorry, but unless we are discussing service-connected medical problems I can't fault the VA for doing their best to balance the budget. Yes, we were promised lifetime benefits while they paid us $94 per month back in the 1960's, but I think I have received far more benefits than I ever earned in military salary.

Your experience may be different. My experience includes the Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star w/V, Army Commendation Medal w/V, Purple Heart Medal w/3 oak leaf clusters, and a few other tokens from my time in actual combat.

Best regards.

I am no stranger to OR's and I have the bed pan collection to prove it. I have never used the VA as I had, and now through Ruthie, have good insurance. The VA here has a mixed bag of reviews so I'll stick with my current medicos.

When I read stories like these I am glad I have other options.

I wish all vets could receive the attention and service they deserve. I think they've earned it.

I wish you all well.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

.gov could close down the VA and have the vets covered by Medicare (which many already are). It would eliminate a few hundred thousand .gov union jobs but it would save taxpayers a few hundred $billion, which after awhile adds up to real money. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

True. Especially your last sentence and it totally makes me sick. How is this even possible?

Sent from my SM-N930T using Tapatalk

Am I glad we have Medicare and Tricare for life!!!
Very few if any out of pocket costs for us.
Don't think I could put up with all that BS from the VA.

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

That has been my parents’ experience as well, through several major medical issues.

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

The VA stinks. They simply don’t care.

The stories in the news show their incompetence. My father is going round and round with them now while his condition worsens.

Veterans should receive the best health care possible. But they don’t. I never have and never will rely on them.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

I don't trust anything about the VA. I did five years in the Navy and on the occasions when I really needed them, they have outright refused to provide any service at all. A few other times I got bad care and ended up with civilian medical care anyway. The VA is useless to me and I wouldn't trust them for anything at this point.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

I am 58 and wonder how things will change when I hit 65.
I learned about 10 yrs ago that having tricare and a primary from work just cost me money. So I rely on tricare prime, pay a bit to tricare, but usually pay very little. Although co-pays shot up about 40% this year

I am eligible for VA, but almost never try to use them.

this last spring we had a couple of ambulance rides and they are stating I owe $40 for each one, but others have told me that I shouldn't owe anything....

I'm a Vietnam vet and tried the VA on advice of a friend. When I signed up and was checked out I received a $400 bill which I paid out of my pocket even though I have medicare and a supplemental provider. In 2 years of retirement I have never had a bill from my regular doctors. I won't go back to the VA for treatment.

As a part time job I work for the county driving vets to the clinic or hospital. I see both good and bad. Most of the veterans that use the hospital in the next county have never had a job, car or owned a house in their life. I put in for another posted job and now drive vets to the local clinic in my county. These people have at least done something with their lives. This job made me realize how thankful I am that I did something with my life.

I noticed the VA hospital here just keeps the people coming back and that makes me wonder if all the care is needed. I haven't seen this type of treatment at the clinic.

I see good and bad, people that don't have the credentials, patients working the system and medical professionals milking the patients.

But, through all this I see that the care is not bad and the vets are taken care of.

If you are a Vet, about the only thing you will get is a pat on the back a well done from a government that could care less. Just my humble opinion.

Correction: You get a "well done", probably signed by an auto-pen, while the politicos pat themselves on the back.

Just another humble opinion.

VA is, and has always been, an adversarial encounter for any Veteran. I used to think that they were singling me out for to resistance I got, but having been in the system now for 48 years, I know they treat everyone the same. The whole thing rests on who you deal with, and what managers "upstairs" that they answer to. But the veteran, and I speak for my self, must have the representation of a service organization, I have the VFW, and the DAV, he/she must know what they are supposed to get according to the law, and be ready to use their congressman or senator, or any other official available to them. I suggest that in all dealings with anyone connected to Va, that the Veteran be calm, focused, refrain from profanity, and not do anything that even looks or sounds like a threat. Instead, keep a paper and pencil handy, and if the va person is rude or un accommodating=not helpful, just take out your little pad and pencil and ask them their name and title, along with their supervisors info as well. The results of doing this can not only be helpful, but also entertaining! Keep a copy of every thing, and a calendar that shows appointment, and notes of who you spoke with on the phone. The strategy is to get you angry, and get you to go away. If anyone needs to hear my experience on a specific subject, just PM me. I am a Veteran of the Vietnam War-100% total and Permanent.

Last autumn I noticed blood in my urine, it being a Saturday my V.A. was closed so I sprinted to my local hospital ER. After the required pre-pre staged.. pre-staged... staged; one nurse for blood pressure & temp, one to tell me the doc would be in shortly, one to give me a sample cup,, one to retrieve the cup, one to walk me down the hall for a cat scan, one to give me papers to sign; one to tell me the doctor that was on duty when I arrived had left for the day and another one would be in shortly to speak with me, then another 15 min wait, the doc finally came in, told me I had blood in my urine (!!!!) and asked what kind of insurance I had (even thought I had put it on paper only medicare and the VA as primary). Soon as he found I had no money for him he said " we think you should get ahold of the VA for follow-up". following Monday I called VA and informed them. They sent me a note stating they were responsible. I got one notice the hospital bill had not been paid by VA. I called the VA got a phone conference with the VA rep, the hospital rep and myself . all questions asked and answered and all 3 parties were satisfied. 90 days later I got a note from VA showing the bill paid.

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UNDER THE CONE OF SILENCE

How do other medical facilities, hospitals, immediate care, physicians, pharmacy, etc. feel about VA? When asked what insurance you have for treatments or meds, tell them you have either VA or any other insurance. They will ask for ANY other than VA. When I told our oldest son who lives here in Florida and is retired Air Force that I was going to go register for VA here in Florida he said, "don't you have other insurance?" I said yes I do, he said then don't even bother with VA, you won't like the frustration! I did anyway, and he was right.

Might be wise to get a secondary cash policy, then it will put cash into your pocket, and not affect your primary. I do not have one as my wife has good insurance. But she has it on herself, and when she had her heart attack it paid out around $17,000.

I trust the VA-they have saved my life. I got a scan when no civilian hospital would have done it as the "bump" was too small for the insurance to pay.

The VA is not well run. I'm sorry for that. They would pay for any medical issue that is covered under their program whether you use their hospital/doctors or not. It does take a lot of work from you though and it shouldn't.

I had to deal with the OWCP which is the federal employee's version of worker's comp. Yeah, my broken leg was not fixed properly and part of that was due to their lack of action.

There are benefits to using the government program, but private insurance is always better/easier to deal with.


I'm very sorry to hear of your issues. It should not be that way. You gave up part of your life to serve in the Air Force, we should cover your medical care and not make your life more difficult when you really need it.

__________________
Freedom isn't free.

Non-Combat Infantry Veteran, 11C, 1986-1989.
VA Hospital almost killed me twice, I won't be back.

Going to college in 1993, I went and signed up for VA care - it was better than what the University offered. This was before the "Tiers". I am now in one of the lowest tiers.

Then when I got a job with health benefits, I used private care.
Then diagnosed with colon cancer in 2005, had Surgery at a GOOD private medical center, it was a 3-hour one way drive to the GOOD private oncologist - but his friend worked oncology at the local VA and arranged Chemotherapy locally. I was allergic to the drugs and had a heart attack (no more 5FU) - they were going to give me "Clotbuster" - I just had major surgery a few weeks ago, Clotbuster would of killed me. Then my port got infected, that's a whole story in itself, and they almost killed me again.

The inside of the 50+ year old VA Hospital = One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

---

I do believe I am eligible for at least 10% disability, but because I would not go to sick call in 1989 and document lower intestinal problems, my case was denied. I gave up on the red tape, too frustrating.

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Now I work freelance and buy Obamacare. Premium was $600 per month (Family) in 2015. Now the premium is $1800 per month (Family) in 2018.

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Lastly, it is only by the Grace and Mercy of Jesus Christ that I am alive today. Thank you Lord!

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John

OH MY!

Don't, whatever you do, read the article on the Fox Website, about two thirds of the way to the bottom about how the VA is leading in prostate cancer treatment-leading the civilian docs!

It points out that the civilian hospitals are still cutting the prostate out of men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

While that may be appropriate in a minority of cases, for most men it is not always the right thing to do.

I was diagnosed with the darned stuff in December just before I turned 70. My doc (retired from many years of local, civilian practice in our area and very well respected) sat my wife and me down and told me he wanted to talk me out of surgery, that the downside was much worse than waiting (called Active Surveillance or Watchful Waiting).

He had his serious face on and said he'd do what ever I wanted, but hoped I'd choose to do anything other than the surgery.

He was surprised when my wife and I laughed (you may recall she just retired after 35+ years working in geriatrics as a nurse-practitioner and still sees patients on a fee-basis three days a week).

I told him I'd already done the research and I had a friend who had his prostate removed at a civilian hospital. My friend pees his pants every time he giggles. I said I'd rather die of the stuff than live my life being incontinent.

My Podiatrist told me that he has a number of patients who have to wear diapers and that, apparently, one gets a bit immune to the smell of one's own urine-thus diapers don't get changed as much as perhaps they should be.

Ain't gonna happen to me if I can possibly help it.

He recommended the Active Surveillance, which is the finger-wave every six months and a prostate biopsy every 12-24 months. My Gleason score was 3 + 4 = 7, so it's in the low-moderate range for aggressiveness.

And next Monday is the day for my finger wave. YIPPEEEEE!

Doc has the biggest hands I have ever seen (and certainly have ever felt, not that I've felt that many you understand).

I have been in every, single section of the VA Bay Pines except Dental and Podriatry. I have a civilian podiatrist who I have been with for over thirty years, went through the death of his wife, his divorce to his next wife and the theft of monies by a trusted employee. He stuck with me thru my throat cancer and other problems. I will stay with him.

I can't get into Dental-you gotta be 100% disabled Total and Permanent. I have the 100% label (actually 150%, but they only go up to 100).And I sincerely hope I never get to the Total & Permanent label.

In every section but those two, I have had multiple visits (hundreds since I started there in 2001) and still can count on my fingers (yes, I still have all of them) the number of times I have still been in the waiting room at my appointment time. All the other hundreds of visits, at my appointment time, I have either been off the campus (and it is really big) and headed home, in the parking garage headed home or already thru the nursing visit and in with the doctor.

They don't double-book like your civilian docs (one exception later), they don't get paid by the insurance company and don't have to schedule more patients to pay staff, rent, and machines, etc.

A friend, slightly older than me, prefers the VA Clinic north of me, still in my County, in Palm Harbor. He says he goes there early, gets in early and leaves for breakfast at Bob Evans early, but I'm only 4 miles from the front gate at Bay Pines, so I'll stay there.

I have only two docs who weren't born in the USA, my Cardiologist, who is the Chief of one of the Cardiology Sections, was born in Poland and is top shelf. She was offered a job with a big heart firm, but chose the VA as she has children and wants to spend quality time with them as they grow. Her hubby has one of the big firm jobs.

My Oncologist, born in India, does Double-Book. Yet only once have I been sitting in the waiting room when my appointment time to see him came. And then it was only a few minutes before he called me in.

It may be my VA experience is so good because Bay Pines is supposed to be the biggest VA Hospital (I don't know if that's true, but it is huge). It's not because I get any special attention because my wife works there (worked there) since the place is sooooooo big and there are sooooo many docs./nurses, though she does know quite a few and they know her.

I have seen a few vets and/or their wives who walk into the various Clinics and start screaming as they come through the door. Shockingly, the clerks still treat them very well. I just want to slap them. I guess that's why I haven't applied for a clerk position to fill my retired, lonely days (just kidding).

Sitting here, I tried to remember the times the VA ticked me off. I can only remember one and it is too complicated to explain, but it had to do with changing an appointment to Dermatology.

BTW, some of you suggested privatizing the VA. Well, the Choice Program is just that. If you can't get in for an appointment in 30 days or less, the VA will pay for you to see a private doc and there are thousands on the list. Even for non-service connected stuff.

I wanted to see my Cardiologist, minor chest pain-she didn't have an appointment open for 45 days. I was referred to Choice if I wanted. (I could have walked into the Emergency Room, but it wasn't a heart attack-at least I hoped).

Oh boy, the firm Choice set me up with this was the same big firm that had wanted to hire my Cardiologist-I thought "Why Not?"

I got an appointment in three or four days, met with the doc, was set for a series of tests the next day but the Office Manager, who apparently thought I was a Charity Patient, decided she did not want to wait for the VA to pay and was trying making me pay using my Medicare and Blue Cross. There's a lot more to the story, but the short version was that I ended up walking out. Me being angry that day would be an understatement.

When I saw my cardiologist 45 days or so later, she gave me her direct number and told me never to let someone tell me that she didn't have appointments available, that she could always work a patient in to the schedule.

I should have pointed out that not everyone becomes incontinent after having the prostate removed, but the percentage is too high for me to chance. The article points out other thingees that occur after such surgery, if you have an interest, you can google post prostate surgery side effects.

I love my VA.

Prostate Cancer? I was diagnosed with it in 2008. The Dr. told me if they
did nothing I would be dead in 5 years. If I did the implants I would be good
for 10. They sent me to Seattle. The implants were by Dr. Kent
Wallner, who is very well regarded in his field. It has been 10 years now,
and with each test the result has been "non detectable".

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In Omnia Paratus

[rant on]
Personally, I would abolish the VA as it is now, fire all of the medical staff and sell all of the assets. In its place, every eligible Vet would get a card that would allow them to go anywhere, see any doctor for the same (or even better) coverage and services than what they get at any VA. I see too many here in FL that - to take advantage of VA benefits - have to travel over an hour to get to a facility. With the huge vet population (and mostly retired) here, that can become impossible as they age.

The money saved by eliminating all those folks, buildings, utilities, costs, etc., would free up enough cash to give vets better coverage

[rant off]

Well, one ounceload, all I can say is that I am so happy that you don't have the power to do something like that.

In the Tampa, St. Petersburg area, we have the Bay Pines Facility, Haley VA Center, another huge facility and at least 3 Clinics within half an hour or less from where I live.

We also have a huge number of vets here, who are eligible for VA care (not talking about retired vets-they get Tricare) just vets who can and do use the VA system.

VA? I don't need no steeenking VA. I got a stapler and a new roll of duct tape, I'll treat myself.

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Minimize the variables

I believe the VA should NOT be in the medical business.
VA people should go to a regular Doctor and Hospital.
The VA has proved over and over that it is not an honorable organization,
worthy of a Veterans trust.
And i don't care if you have a good VA office, most of them are Not good.

ABSOLUTELY! Been retired since '94 and on Medicare and Tricare for Life for the last 5 years. A have a service connected disability (lower back injury) and my one experience with the VA clinic convinced me to never go back.

Great for your area, but for folks further removed and not near Gainesville or similar major metro areas, they get stuck.

Perhaps, but there's a large facility in Jacksonville, and in Gainesville, a smaller one in Tallahassee, smaller one in Fort Myers, many other places.

And, the VA pays your mileage to travel to and from their facility. I am not sure about now, but at one time they paid you on the spot, in cash.

And, at least at Bay Pines, it is convenient to get to that office, right across the hall from the pharmacy on the first floor.

I've never gotten mileage (live 4 miles away). I have a friend who uses the VA in Tallahassee and for serious problems, the VA sends him down to Gainesville.

And, as I said before, if there's no appointment with your doc for 30 days, you can use Choice. They call you, go over the docs in whatever field/specialty you need, that are near your residence, they set the appointment and, they pay.

I admit I've been blessed by the care at the VA though I don't like those who "run" the VA much at all. The care has worked for me, may or may not work for you.

Isn't this the issue Trump is trying to fix. Vets should have medical for life anywhere THEY want. I did not join for benefits, but it would be nice if the ailments I got while in were taken care of at my doctor!

All well and good IF you can get there somehow. I have family who work for the VA; even they say there is a lot of waste and inefficiency. Lots of real estate. overhead etc.

if the VA does not have the resources to provide excellent health care for our military personnel....then dont put any more military in harm;s way.....

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There's nowt so queer as folk

Glad you're still here...

I have been enrolled in the VA system for over 40 years. The closest VA facility from my location is in Dallas.

Around 2014 there was a change for veterans who live a long way from a VA facility. “Veterans Choice” allows me to see any doctor in my area and it’s covered 100%. The only stipulation is that I have to call the VA in advance of the appointment to get their authorization.

I have found some very good local doctors and no longer have to drive a 100 miles for medical care.

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A gun has no brain.. use yours