Non Emergency Injury Care

[timetowinarace]

Okay, Ive wondered about this for awhile now but didn't have a need to find out till now.

I live about 150 miles from the VA hospital. The local clinic does not take walkins.

I hurt my finger Xmas day and still cannot move it at the top joint. It's definatly not an emergency to go to the ER, there is little pain. I called this morning to get an appointment at the clinic and the soonest I can get in on an appointment basis is the 20th of jan. When I asked about the non emergency care the call center lady forwarded my call to the clinic desk. They do not answer and I left a message. Obviously, I don't want to pay to go to the ER if the VA is going to say a sore finger is not an emergency and not cover it.

I should be able to move the finger by now so I'm becoming concerned. Most of the swelling and blue has gone away.

Any ideas?

[john999]

Do you have other insurance besides VA? If you do the VA won't pay. I hate to say but if you want care for this finger from the and want them to pay you should drive the 150 miles to VA ER. Don't go on weekend. Wait until after the holidays. If I had medicare or any other I would just go to a clinic.

[LarryJ]

Okay, Ive wondered about this for awhile now but didn't have a need to find out till now.

I live about 150 miles from the VA hospital. The local clinic does not take walkins.

I hurt my finger Xmas day and still cannot move it at the top joint. It's definatly not an emergency to go to the ER, there is little pain. I called this morning to get an appointment at the clinic and the soonest I can get in on an appointment basis is the 20th of jan. When I asked about the non emergency care the call center lady forwarded my call to the clinic desk. They do not answer and I left a message. Obviously, I don't want to pay to go to the ER if the VA is going to say a sore finger is not an emergency and not cover it.

I should be able to move the finger by now so I'm becoming concerned. Most of the swelling and blue has gone away.

Any ideas?

I tole you not to be messing wit dem reindeer, dummy!

[purple]

Can you get to a drug store and buy one of those OTC finger splints? At least that will keep you from moving it. Keep ice on it. (My son has broken so many fingers playing baseball and football I've lost count)...and keep it elevated. But.....I'm not a Dr.!!!!!!!! Just some advice from a sports Mom!! LOL!!!

Hope you feel better...

[Wings]

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Call the VA Fee-Base Office, and tell them you are going to the Civilian ER for "emergent treatment" of an injured thunb. I did the same thing in October 2008; needed a couple of stitches. Left a message with FB Office (VAMC) and they called me back immediately. Worth a shot. If you can not move that joint, it needs to be x-rayed. WHat is the emergency: you can not use your dominant hand. ~Wings

[timetowinarace]

I tole you not to be messing wit dem reindeer, dummy!

Yeah, that'll teach me not to pick Rudolf's red nose.

The clinic called me back finally. They will get me in on thursday. But, they have no x-ray. If they think it needs an xray then we can go from there.

I really don't think it's broken. I was using the cord to pull start a fourwheeler and it kicked back, jerking the handle out of my hand. I can hold on to it and bend it some but it will not bend on it's own. I'm leaning towards torn/detached ligiments/tendon.

The worst of it was that the battery in the wheeler was fine. It started right up by pushing the start button. Go figure. Anyway, the nephews had fun being pulled through the snow on their sleds.