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VA Medical Centers Navigating through it
To assist the veteran by providing assistance in navigating through the Veterans Affairs Medical centers.
303 topics in this forum
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VA Health Care Priority Groups http://www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book/benefits_chap01.asp The following four categories of Veterans are not required to enroll, but are urged to do so to permit better planning of health resources: 1. Veterans with a service-connected disability of 50 percent or more. 2. Veterans seeking care for a disability the military determined was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, but which VA has not yet rated, within 12 months of discharge. 3. Veterans seeking care for a service-connected disability only. 4. Veterans seeking registry examinations (Ionizing Radiation, Agent Orange, Gulf War/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Ne…
Last reply by carlie, -
- 1 follower
- 14 replies
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Since I recently moved to another state I decided to try the VA Primary Care facility near me. I am 50% service connected for back. The PCP wanted to order some blood work for my first visit. I had no health conditions except the back pain. I assumed this was the basic stuff any doctor would ask for to check cholesterol, etc. When I went to the VA lab they drew about 6 tubes of blood. I joked with the nurse and called her a Vampire. She said your doctor ordered a lot of tests. When I get the results I was iterated to find out they drug tested me. I am not a drug user and didn’t pop positive for anything, but I felt a bit misled. I logged into my priv…
Last reply by john999, -
- 1 follower
- 6 replies
- 344 views
My VA PCP has requested home primary care for me. Those who decide have put in my file that they want a "comprehensive medical psychosocial assessment" first. Why would they even think they needed this? Anyone experience this before? Any info would be welcomed.
Last reply by broncovet, -
- 6 replies
- 266 views
I received an email from the VA this morning requesting me to contact them as they claimed they could not contact me by phone.. ( yea right!) So I called them, it was community care and they wanted to set up an appointment for an open MRI for my spine, ( One segment at a time) This was requested in Dec 2021. Because of the Goverments over reaction to COVID19, it was impossible to get an appointment in Jan so I just told them to forget it. So here we go again, they want to send me to Austin or Waco, I told them I am not giing to Austin, and if the place in Waco is within a 30 minute drive good, otherwise I won't accept any appointment. I need this…
Last reply by Richard1954, -
- 1 reply
- 124 views
In March (yes, March), my VAMC primary care doc submitted a referral for community care for a couple of things. As I was hoping to get this scheduled sooner than later, I inquired and was told to contact two different individuals who work in community care. The first individual's phone automatically hangs up after a couple of rings. The other individual's phone rings without ever being answered. That happened every time I tried to call regardless of day or time of day. I followed up and primary care sent an inquiry asking them to call me, but I still have yet to hear from anyone. I did more inquiring and hopefully someone calls me soon. I have an odd feeling that the…
Last reply by Richard1954, -
- 0 replies
- 150 views
Another case of the VA claiming they sent my meds in the mail and I got all but one... The pharmacy said it was sent with A, B, C, and D. Well, I got those four, but that's all that was in the package. Tracking showed it was a single shipment which was delivered. Fortunately, the VAMC pharmacy was able to get me a replacement next day. I do realize that the VA sometimes sends a single shipment in multiple packages which might arrive a day or two apart, but a week later without it is disturbing. Here's what I recommend we vets do when presented with this situation. When requesting refills online, as they arrive it would be a good idea to go back and double-check to se…
Last reply by Vync, -
Do you use My HealtheVet? The process for signing in to your account is changing. Soon, My HealtheVet users will start signing in through the new VA sign-in page. This new process will give your account an extra layer of security to keep your VA information safe. The new sign-in process has been available on My HealtheVet for several months, and you may have already tried it for yourself. If you want to try it today, go to the My HealtheVet home page, select “Sign in,” and then select “Try the new sign in” at the top of the page. How to sign in with the new process The first time you use the new process, you’ll notice a few key differences. …
Last reply by Tbird, -
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- 2 replies
- 227 views
The current VA travel pay reimbursement rate is 41.5 cents/mile. Anyone else think it is time for them to rebalance it against the increased transportation costs? The funny part is that when a COLA increase occurs, the travel pay reimbursement rate does not change...
Last reply by GBArmy, -
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- 2 followers
- 11 replies
- 609 views
Had some fun this week regarding being referred out via community care for some dental treatment. Please note that I am SC for a dental issue plus am also 100% P&T so I am covered. I also have received approval for dental care in the community. My treatment required the VA to approve separate visits for a root canal, a crown, plus nitrous oxide use. For unknown reasons, it took about six weeks to get the root canal approved w/gas. I went to that appointment this week and it was pretty humorous. After they turned on the nitrous and I was feeling almost nothing, Pink Floyd's Comfortably Numb came on the radio. I was waiting on some Jimi Hendrix, but wasn't that luc…
Last reply by Tbird, -
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Looking for suggestions on how to deal with VA Los Angeles Care in the Community office, and their constant delays in approving outside provider authorizations. Currently, issues are delays with SAR requests for Primary care and Urology. Alas, Every one of my providers (Primary care, Opthalmology, Podiatry, Urology, Nephrology, has experienced delays intermittently over the last 2 years. Not only for initial referrals, but for secondary auth requests as well. Often times these delays force rescheduling of time sensitive appointments and lab work. The VA CITC staff seems unfazed even when made aware of imminent deadlines. I have contacted both US senators numerous times …
Last reply by Berta, -
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- 17 replies
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I burned the search button out searching for the ideal /proper spot to post this so if any mod can improve please feel free to move this questrion. I presented to my local outpatient clinic in Marianna, Florida. No physicians, just nurses with blood in phlegm. They sent me to radiology (CT Scan). Radiology in turn requested a consutlt with Pulmonary. That is where the treatment ends. They told me 2 weeks ago they we looking for aa physician to assign this to. Didn't happen. Question: what are my options for getting civilian treament if they are so understaffed... or conversely who in this command chain can I go to for assistance with this? I fe…
Last reply by cannoncocker, -
- 1 follower
- 15 replies
- 2.5k views
I am in need of another epidural pain block for my spine. I normally use a non-VA doctor with my private health insurance and the wait is usually a week or two. However, this was a great opportunity to track durations from one stage to the next. Each duration is calculated from date to date and include weekends and holidays. 1. Primary care referral to Neurology appointment: 38 days 2. Neurology referral to pain clinic appointment: 76 days 3. Pain clinic referral for outside care (no pain doctor available): 16 days 4. Outside care (Business Office) calls and asks if I would like to use the Choice program. Says it may take up to 7 days to receive…
Last reply by broncovet, -
- 1 reply
- 171 views
Just a Reminder*** If any of you Veterans out there have not recieved your covid injection , please call your VAMC and ask for an appointment to come and get your Covid Injections , they should set you up an appointment to come and receive your first injection and 2 weeks later to return for the second injection. Don't put it off any longer than you possible can....better to be safe than sorry...this stuff will be around a long long time so may as well face the reality of it. keep wearing your mask and social distance yourself and wash hands often.
Last reply by GBArmy, -
- 2 replies
- 472 views
On Myhealthevet messages... Are these messages that are sent to providers, Pact Team, and others. Are they required by law to be uploaded into my health records? I have one on my primary care nurses, who has not uploaded them into my records. I've been asking for referrals since September. Are the clinics required by law to log phone calls, if ordering Rx, or getting a message to providers? One of the clinics only had provider and front would only log calls once 10 days to keep workload down. Not to mention on Dec 24th, Two vets I know was supposed to have labs done, but all day long was the on hold music, then 1631 hours it went to t…
Last reply by newhere, -
- 7 replies
- 708 views
I live in Montana and reside 87 miles from the nearest full service VA Medical Hospital. We have a VA clinic locally but I was referred to the main VA hospital 87 miles away for surgery consultation at the main VA hospital? I'm 100% P&T, SSDI and retired. Shouldn't have my local VA clinic PCM suggest community care under the new Mission Act of 2019 since I would have to travel 1.5 hrs for the appt and then again to have gallbladder surgery? Especially with my distance situation? Heck, I could be the foster child for community care? Sec. 142. Veterans Choice Fund flexibility and Sec. 143. Sunset of Veterans Choice Program. I'm a covered veteran but the direc…
Last reply by Buck52, -
- 9 replies
- 13.8k views
So I am about to go up the VA medical center "chain of command" and I've learned from many posts that this is common... What is the typical chain of command at a VA medical center (above the Patient Advocate)? I dislike complaining but am not averse to it where treatment and people become inaccessible. There must be a ton of people in between the Pat Adv and the Director.... I'm sure its like the military - if you go right to the base commander with an issue, you not only make the problem worse, you piss off a bunch of people in between him and yourself in a big hurry. Thanks! Dante
Last reply by GBArmy, -
- 5 replies
- 775 views
What can be done about a mental health social worker writing misleading information in your medical records? Questions you were never asked but they answered for you, statements you never made and contextual factors to your mental health that are the result (family problems, marital discord, lack of social support) of your conditions but it looks like they are saying this is what is causing it?
Last reply by GBArmy, -
- 1 follower
- 15 replies
- 1.2k views
Anyone been having problems with the VA Clinics cancelling your future out appointments? I have had 2 appointments schedule out for next year FORmy PCP REGULAR CHECK UP and I need to have some issues addressed and lab work done, and they just cancelled this appointment and sited no reason? I mention this to my MH Dr during a VCC Appointments last thursday and she said for me to instant message my PCP and ask why this appointment has been canceled because you need to keep this appointment for some medical issues that have came up and you need to check on your existing medical condition you are being treated for. I sent my V A PCP an instant message on Myh…
Last reply by Buck52, -
- 8 replies
- 648 views
I have been told about the existence of a "Clinical Appeal" process. Was just on hold for 35 minutes to the number given at the local Portland hospital before being disconnected. Does anyone have knowledge of this process or what the chances of success are or how it works? I am asking to get an FDA approved urine test that will be sent out to another lab. Results will be substitute for a scope procedure that has been cancelled due to pandemic. My assigned specialist retired because of it, I do not have a new one assigned at this point. I asked a clinic facilitator about the test a month ago and have received no answer. I already called the company that does the te…
Last reply by broncovet, -
- 1 follower
- 3 replies
- 441 views
I filed a clinical appeal to get treatment as well as caled the White House Hotline. Got the letter back from the local VA saying that they had an "expect" look at my medical file and agreed with the VA doctor that Hyperbaric oxygen therapy isn't necessary for me because they don't want to pay for it. Have yet to hear back from the White House hotline. Will be filing complaints to my senators and congressman this weekend about VA denying me this treatment and pressing this issue further to I get it.
Last reply by broncovet, -
- 2 followers
- 8 replies
- 622 views
Hi everyone, After waiting months for an appointment, three days before my travel date I was denied hotel lodging (by the travel department of the destination hospital Mather VAMC) that my neurologist properly submitted a referral for lodging for imaging & EEG (electroencephalogram) to rule out brain injury due to SYNOPE, which was estimated to take several hours. I lost my drivers license due to this condition so my wife would be taking me. We are in our sixties and I am 80% SC disabled. The destination hospital is 175 miles away making it 350 miles round trip. Since the VA hospital is located on the far side of a major city from my location, the travel ti…
Last reply by Lemuel, -
- 3 replies
- 534 views
I read something a while back about requesting a Vista cd from the VA? It's supposed to contain all notes in a patient's records and not just what is shown on Blue Button. I would like to get a copy of all my medical/administrative notes, to include interdepartmental communications between doctors. I cannot find the forum/thread where I read this before. Can someone point me in the right direction of that thread or how to go about getting all of my records please (this is something different than a C file)? Thanks so much for your help!
Last reply by Vync, -
- 4 replies
- 369 views
My VA MH Dr called me and said she had to cancel my appointment on July- 2- 2020 11:00 AM because she had a Dr Appointment came up unexpected on July 2nd and she had to see her Dr on my Appointment date. When she called me to cancel my VA Appointment with her I ask her if she would cancel my appointment to show the Clinic Cancel it, BECAUSE I do not won't to be showed a ''NO SHOW''she said she would. THIS WAS A WEEK AGO OR SO Well they still show I have this appointment July 2nd..its the Virtual Tele Health Scheduled Appointment. After this date >>.if it says NO Show'' THATS NOT MY FAULT and makes me look bad. My question to any of you member's …
Last reply by broncovet, -
- 3 replies
- 667 views
At suggestion of response to a post on this forum I sent a request for a test through the va.gov portal on 5-7, got this reply today 5-18. Do I need to "reopen"? Or is it being acted on? Is the "Facility Advocate" at my VAMC? What is the "Service Line Advocate"? va.gov routes to specific hospitals. I am asking for a urine test to substitute for a scope procedure, which I know the VA can obtain through two labs it has a relationship with, I verified it. The local VAMC head sent out email last week saying they are having covid outbreaks among staff in various departments. Appreciate the honesty, but have to assume there is a substantial problem or they …
Last reply by slangpdx, -
- 3 replies
- 533 views
Are they (VA OR VHA) Services suppose to notify us when they cancel an appointment? My MH therapist usually cancel early the same day and the clinic calls me to let me know my appointment as been canceled and my therapist will rescheduled ok that's fine But I was just surfing myhealthvet notes last night and checked my Appointments to make sure all is on the up&up and I have a Dental Appointment on the 12th Dec Its been set for about 60 days now...ok I just read on myhelthvet for future Appointments that the 12 th of Dec Dental Appointment has been canceled??? I was not notified grrrrrrrrrrrrrr no rescheduled note no nothing.
Last reply by Buck52,
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Most Common VA Disabilities Claimed for Compensation:
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Post in Am I eligible for SMC(T)?
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