CHOICE program

[rpowell01]

Can anybody tell me if this qualifies a Veteran to be able to use the VA's CHOICE program...

The VA has refused Cervical Spine surgery on me THREE TIMES. So I decided to finally get away from the VA and go see an orthopedic surgeon in my area. I just recently had a new MRI and the results are now showing I have Cervical Myelopathy at TWO levels. I go this Wednesday (Tomorrow) for the follow up MRI to see what the treatment plan is. I hope its surgery because I am tired of all this pain and not having a life.

Since the VA Neurosurgeon has refused me three times for surgery and with the NEW MRI evidence and maybe the Orthopedic Surgeon will say surgery is the only treatment, would this qualify for the VA to pay for this surgery through the VAs CHOICE program? This surgeon is already in the VA Choice Program provider list, I just looked. Remember the VA Neurosurgeon REFUSED to do the surgery not once but THREE separate times. Keep in mind the VA Bay Pines in St Pete NOR James A. Haley has a Neurosurgeon on staff and uses a consultant to make decision if surgery is necessary and if he says yes the VA sends you out to the cheapest doctor in town. After my uncle inlaw just went through this a little over a year ago the cheap surgeon cause paralysis in his left arm I said NOPE, not going there.

[Buck52]

I just got a new press release from VA news about spinal patients I'll read up up on it or paste the link here....Busy right now but sometimes today I will.

...........Buck

[Buck52]

Sorry this was for the Dallas Tx VA

But they maybe some information in it to help you?

https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/USVHA/2016/09/26/file_attachments/627672/VA%2BGRANT.pdf

.........Buck

[rpowell01]

Not really that is for veterans who are home bound because of spinal cord injuries. I will research more and call the VA Choice program to talk with somebody about this then if I have to contact Senator Rubio's office to see what can be done about this.

[rpowell01]

Not really that is for veterans who are home bound because of spinal cord injuries. I will research more and call the VA Choice program to talk with somebody about this then if I have to contact Senator Rubio's office to see what can be done about this.

[pwrslm]

The VA also said my back was not so bad.  I ended up getting an IMO for $250 from a specialist in Orlando for my service connection.  He said I needed surgery.  They also sent me to a young neurologist who said I needed surgery.  Thanks to the VA dragging its feet, I ended up with permanent nerve damage, to slow to act.  

The Choice program has to be approved by the VA Dr.  If they cannot see you in 30 days, you can ask them to give you choice authorization.  The neurology department never gets you in that fast. Its like 7 to 11 weeks to get an appointment, so you should be within your rights to make them give you the choice option.

From that point, you can get on the healthnet website and find a good spine surgeon, and get an opinion from them if you need surgery.  They in turn must request authorization from healthnet, and you can get free surgery at the best hospitals in town that way.  If the Choice people dont ask you who you want to go to, tell them, there is a list on the web site based on your zip code.  The orthopedic surgeon in downtown Orlando is the only one in town that accepts healthnet, and comes with good recommendations.

Link to healthnet:

https://hnfs.com/content/hnfs/home/va/home/veterans-choice.html

 

go to find a provider link in top left side of front page to find  (surgeon-orthopedic of the spine)