Question For Military Veterans Using The VA For Their Health Care?

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hemi71x

hemi71x

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Thought i would ask here, on this forum, for military veterans that are using the VA for their medical health care.
How are they treating you at your hospital for your health care?
They treating you Ok, or you disappointed with them?
My hospital is at the Mather VA, in the Sacramento, CA. area. (Northern California)
Up until about 2 months ago, i felt they were treating me well with all my "issues" and now i feel like they are just blowing me off, don't give a damm, or don't want anything to do with my latest diagnosis for heart issues, problems.
I petitioned the patients advocate, to assign me a different primary care doctor, and that was approved, but they never told me that it went through.
Then trying to get in to see that new doctor, they gave me all kinds of grief at the receptionist's counter at that section of primary care.
What gives, i Dunno?
I remember all the bs the military veterans were having at the Phoenix VA Hospital, awhile back, before that was given lots of national news exposure.
Anyone care to elaborate to their care, and what you did to get the issue corrected within the system to take care of the problem.
Thank's.
Jim V.
 
I gave up on the VA years ago, they treated all of the vets (patients) like they were dirt under their feet. I'm happy with my Medicare & supplemental insurance, so far. I hope you have better luck with them than some of the rest of us had.
 
Jim, I've used the VA for health care since I retired 12 years ago. I have no complaints, in fact they have treated me better than I was treated while on active duty. I get all my meds thru them with no copay, I get my ongoing accupuncture from them, dermotology etc. My primary care physician is at the VA outpatient clinic 3 miles from my house and specialty stuff I drive 25 miles for and get reimbursed $17.00 for every trip which I make on average 4 times a month. They send me to the outside for chiropractor since they don't have it and also orthopedic surgeon for back issues since the wait is too long at the main hospital ("Veteran's Choice" program). I have to say I'm impressed. In the beginning it was a hassle but once I was in the system it was great. They pay for an expensive electronic muscle stimulator (H-wave) from an outside facility as well. I've come to the conclusion that each VA is different like each unit in the military is different. Good leadership equals a good unit and some are much better than others. I'm in San Diego which is a large and active facility so I think that makes a difference as well.
ski
 
I’ve been using the VA health since I got out 12 yrs ago. Since I’m relatively young still at 37 I’ve been going for a routine physical and for that it’s great. For anything I have to do with PTSD I’d rather not even mention it to them. Dustin
 
I'm also in San Diego and have Tricare Prime with no issues, however all of my visits are with Scripps. Do you have the option to use local facilities instead of the VA?
 
tjpatte said:
I'm also in San Diego and have Tricare Prime with no issues, however all of my visits are with Scripps. Do you have the option to use local facilities instead of the VA?
Click to expand...
When i went thru prostate cancer radiation surgery treatment, they farmed me out to the civilian UC Davis Medical Center for that, as the VA around here didn't do that type of procedure.
But other than that, I'm involved within the system at the Mather VA.
 
Boise VAMC seems to have their act together. At least in comparison to a large regional church run hospital chain.
 
VA in Syracuse NY here no complaints. Had knee replacement and everything was great! Had a heart attack and went to another hospital and the VA covered the bill. Just call and order your meds and they come in the mail. Works good for me.
 
Apparently it's where a lot of health care professionals that can't get jobs elsewhere end up. What does that say about the level of care?...
 
tjpatte said:
I'm also in San Diego and have Tricare Prime with no issues, however all of my visits are with Scripps. Do you have the option to use local facilities instead of the VA?
Click to expand...

I have Tricare Prime as well but prefer to use my VA in order to keep everything under one roof, and like I mentioned their service is outstanding here. The only time that is not possible is when I opt for Choice for certain things that the VA is either overloaded on or that they just don't offer. My wife uses the Tricare Prime with no issues.
 
mopowers said:
Apparently it's where a lot of health care professionals that can't get jobs elsewhere end up. What does that say about the level of care?...
Click to expand...
Not entirely true. While many of the primary care doctors at the outpatient clinics are new or transient , in my experience the specialists at the main hospital are for the most part not. They don't do much more than the routine stuff and refer you to specialists and order procedures anyway. In 12 years I've had 5 different primaries, 4 were outstanding, one was a tool. That one lasted a year. VA San Diego has a partnership with UCSD Hospital so you may be treated by what they call "Fellows" under a resident's supervision but its the patients option. As far as the RN's go it is very tough to get into the VA in that position, especially in places like San Diego where folks seem to want to live. They like to promote from within so they know what they're getting. Everyone's experiences are different and one bad experience can certainly be the one that has the lasting effect.
 
This is now the 5th primary care doctor that has been assigned to me.
My first 3 were great, i got along with them well, and they had a good "bedside manner" so to speak.
But they retired, went elsewhere.
My last one wasn't anywhere the first three, and that's one of the reasons that i requested a new doctor.
Now i have to find out what this 5th one is like, but at first, it's going to be a phone consultation, next week.
 
I use the VA in Cincinnati. My primary care is at a CBOC not super far from the house. Used VA since I retired.
If I need to go to the main hospital, its generally not a bad experience.
I'm kinda torn on my primary care doc though. She's bad about saying one thing, then doing something different. Honestly my one true complaint is that she has a huge amount of patients.
I have a pacemaker and some heart issues. I also have a gut wound that I'm service connected for. It creates issues similar to cardiac so when my gut acts up, I get the full cardio workup. I try to tell them its my gut, but they never listen. They do the cardio work up and find that my heart is fine, so they write me off and ignore the gut issues. So I'm with you on feeling like I get the "sunshine" treatment.
As for the reception desk, I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks there's room for improvement.
The head ***** at the CBOC actually called the VA police on me because I asked her to do her job. Long story, but she hates me.
But the call was interesting because the cop mentioned PTSD. When I asked him how he knew that, he said the woman had told him. At the time the PTSD clinic was not located at the CBOC and the only way she could have known was to look at my records. Big HIPPA violation. I reported that. She must have gotten her *** ripped because now she avoids me. My experiences at the main hospital with reception has been mixed. For the most part its been good.
As for my PTSD treatment, that's been phenomenal.
For the comment about the docs being the bottom barrel, Cincy VA and UC Medical Center are literally in each others back yard. When you see a doc at the VA, you will almost always see a UC doc. In fact the VA in Lexington is connected to UK Med Cntr.
So, no the docs aren't bottom barrel. They might be a little inexperienced sometimes, but not bottom barrel. But it's those residents that usually will listen when I have an issue. It was a resident who found that I broke 3 ribs. He found it in June after this happened in early May. He took time and listened when the ER doc ignored me.
 
I got out 25 years ago with no perceived medical problems. But I now have tenitus, Plantar fasciitis, and Carpal Tunnel Syndrom, as well as 10% hearing loss in my left ear. I dont know if any of these are related to my military service but I have had bad soles of my feet since I got back from 18 months of wet soggy Philippines. Silly me has never even gone to sign up for benefits at the VA. Could they prove or disprove any of these ailments are related to my military service? My co worker says they were suggesting stuff being wrong with him like tenitis and PF (inflammed heel to toe ligaments causing sore feet) due to Rifle Range/combat hearing damage and boots. I have worn a brace on right hand since I got out just to sleep as my right hand tingles so bad at night that it wakes me up if I dont keep it immobilized. I work with crimping tools alot as a telephone repairman and wear steel toe boots 12 hours a day. Im afraid they will tell me its all related to post military work. Anyone run into a problem with them telling you your not eligible for health benefits? I'm not looking for a monthly check, but I would like to be recognized as a disabled vet for my kid's college benefits. Its not about me anymore.
 
I was in the Air Force for 20 years. Got out in 1993. I have not bothered to go to the local VA since the one time I used them in 1995. I had almost 10,000 hours flying time, mostly in noisy C-130s. I filed for a hearing loss in 1995, and I was sent to the VA in Topeka for a hearing test. It was a JOKE. They put a headset on me, and I was expecting the old humming / buzzing noises at different volumes, and all I had to do was raise my hand when I heard them. Instead, I was told that a word would be spoken and I was to repeat that word. The words came through SO DAMN LOUD that a totally deaf person might have been able to make them out. It was so loud it actually hurt. What the hell kind of a hearing test is that? I guess they didn't want anybody to qualify for any reduced hearing benefits. All I wanted was to get my hearing loss documented so that if it got any worse, I would be able to get whatever help I needed. I have done just fine with Tri-Care supplemented with the health care the Federal Home Loan Bank in Topeka provided and then, when I reached 65, Tri-Care and Medicare. After the ridiculous treatment I got on that hearing test, I swore never to darken their doors again.
 
ski1 said:
Not entirely true. While many of the primary care doctors at the outpatient clinics are new or transient , in my experience the specialists at the main hospital are for the most part not. They don't do much more than the routine stuff and refer you to specialists and order procedures anyway. In 12 years I've had 5 different primaries, 4 were outstanding, one was a tool. That one lasted a year. VA San Diego has a partnership with UCSD Hospital so you may be treated by what they call "Fellows" under a resident's supervision but its the patients option. As far as the RN's go it is very tough to get into the VA in that position, especially in places like San Diego where folks seem to want to live. They like to promote from within so they know what they're getting. Everyone's experiences are different and one bad experience can certainly be the one that has the lasting effect.
Click to expand...

I probably should've mention in my post, but I was referring to my hometown area - which is where the OP is from. We have many very high-level heath care facilities and hospitals up here. The VA isn't the first choice for employment for most health care professionals up here. That speaks volumes.
 
harrisonm said:
I was in the Air Force for 20 years. Got out in 1993. I have not bothered to go to the local VA since the one time I used them in 1995. I had almost 10,000 hours flying time, mostly in noisy C-130s. I filed for a hearing loss in 1995, and I was sent to the VA in Topeka for a hearing test. It was a JOKE. They put a headset on me, and I was expecting the old humming / buzzing noises at different volumes, and all I had to do was raise my hand when I heard them. Instead, I was told that a word would be spoken and I was to repeat that word. The words came through SO DAMN LOUD that a totally deaf person might have been able to make them out. It was so loud it actually hurt. What the hell kind of a hearing test is that? I guess they didn't want anybody to qualify for any reduced hearing benefits. All I wanted was to get my hearing loss documented so that if it got any worse, I would be able to get whatever help I needed. I have done just fine with Tri-Care supplemented with the health care the Federal Home Loan Bank in Topeka provided and then, when I reached 65, Tri-Care and Medicare. After the ridiculous treatment I got on that hearing test, I swore never to darken their doors again.
Click to expand...

The new test is not a hearing test. I do not claim to know how it works, but it is done automatically for tennitis. May be worth a look.
 
gunbunny.
The same thing recently happened with me, over at the VA.
I need to have blood drawn, at the lab, every three months, and every 6 months for analysis, for my bone marrow cancer, and previous prostate cancer.
The phlebotomist, (I call them the vampires) wouldn't draw my blood, as the computer didn't tell her to do so.
I went around and around with her that i have appointments to see both doctors and i have always come in a few days early, to have the blood drawn, for the analysis, so the doctors can tell how i'm doing.
She wouldn't draw the blood, and you can see i have appointments, and what the hell do you think I'm doing here.
So i get a little bit verbal, and raised my voice a bit, to be assertive, and get my point across, and she wouldn't listen to me.
She called the VA police on me, and holy ****, three VA police showed up at the lab.
Make a long story short, the cops get the situation under control, got the blood drawn by another vampire, the blood got analysed, made my doctors appointments, and they told me my numbers were good, for those evaluations.
But what a hassle it turned out to be, for such little chicken, s#*t.
 
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hemi71x said:
gunbunny.
The same thing recently happened with me, over at the VA.
I need to have blood drawn, at the lab, every three months, and every 6 months for analysis, for my bone marrow cancer, and previous prostate cancer.
The phlebotomist, (I call them the vampires) wouldn't draw my blood, as the computer didn't tell her to do so.
I went around and around with her that i have appointments to see both doctors and i have always come in a few days early, to have the blood drawn, for the analysis, so the doctors can tell how i'm doing.
She wouldn't draw the blood, and you can see i have appointments, and what the hell do you think I'm doing here.
So i get a little bit verbal, and raised my voice a bit, to be assertive, and get my point across, and she wouldn't listen to me.
She called the VA police on me, and holy ****, three VA police showed up at the lab.
Make a long story short, the cops get the situation under control, got the blood drawn by another vampire, the blood got analysed, made my doctors appointments, and they told me my numbers were good, for those evaluations.
But what a hassle it turned out to be, for such little chicken, s#*t.
Click to expand...
Boy does that sound familiar!
I was told when I check out to make appointments with the lab and the doc. The lab order wasn't in the system yet and the ***** wanted me to call back. I was standing right there, why would I call back to get voice mail when I'm literally 25' from the doctor. Get up off your *** and ask!
I actually wasn't that rude, but you get the idea.
 
gunbunny said:
Boy does that sound familiar!
I was told when I check out to make appointments with the lab and the doc. The lab order wasn't in the system yet and the ***** wanted me to call back. I was standing right there, why would I call back to get voice mail when I'm literally 25' from the doctor. Get up off your *** and ask!
I actually wasn't that rude, but you get the idea.
Click to expand...
My oncologist is good about getting all the lab orders in plenty early. I finally figured out if I get my CT scan before the blood work, I can have them fill all the vials when they stick me for the IV. Saves me a wait in the lab line on my way out, and another needle. Last follow-up was abdominal CT with lung x-rays, and I was out and on my way in less than 45 minutes. Always try to get the 8:30 AM appointment.
 
hemi71x said:
gunbunny.
The phlebotomist, (I call them the vampires) wouldn't draw my blood, as the computer didn't tell her to do so.
I went around and around with her that i have appointments to see both doctors and i have always come in a few days early, to have the blood drawn, for the analysis, so the doctors can tell how i'm doing.
She wouldn't draw the blood, and you can see i have appointments, and what the hell do you think I'm doing here.
So i get a little bit verbal, and raised my voice a bit, to be assertive, and get my point across, and she wouldn't listen to me.
She called the VA police on me, and holy ****, three VA police showed up at the lab.
Make a long story short, the cops get the situation under control, got the blood drawn by another vampire, the blood got analysed, made my doctors appointments, and they told me my numbers were good, for those evaluations.
Click to expand...
That happens everywhere I guess. Unless you are wealthy, health care is a crap shoot. You were assuredly in the wrong as the 'vampire' (lol) cannot draw blood without an order from an MD. It is the doctor that is at fault, or one of his minions. It happened to me, well sort of, the doctor ordered the wrong labs and I got loud and irate. I felt like a real *** afterwards and apologized to the staff next time around.

Anyway, concerning level of care....I was assigned an intern, he was a chief fellow and a great doctor already. He worked at the VA all the time. It's good to have a bright young doctor that keeps up with the newest treatments.
 
I am not a big fan of the VA at all. Feels like I am at sick call again. It is product in, product out for the most part. Don't get me started on the social hour going on constantly.......
the care is mediocre at best. I actually plan on stopping care there when I get back to the states. Plus, all the different websites associated instead of one site is ridiculous.
 
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