Spouses Using Va Facilities?

[purple]

On one of my more recent visits to the Dayton VAMC...I was waiting at the lab for bloodwork and overheard a lady talking to another lady about how she is able to use the VAMC for her medical care as well because her husband is a 100% disabled vet. Sure enough....she went in and had her blood drawn!!

Really??

[jbasser]

Think of it this way.

You worked and suffered to get 100 percent P and T.

Once you get it you are entitled to the benefits offered for the Permanent and total Veterans.

Champ VA is one of those Benefits. The CITI program is also a benefit.

The spouse using the VA facilties does so as the Veterans benefit.

J

[mike/3/8/cav]

Very well put jbass! There have been previous complaints about this here on hadit. The complaints are unfair and unfounded. The benefits of ChampVA and CITI are veterans' benefits not spouses benefits!

We have to be careful with complaining about the benefits other veterans are receiving. If we get caught up in intramural fights about who deserves more or less, then the VA will have been successful in their divide and conquer strategy. We shouldn't allow that to happen. The system sucks as we all know, but it is the system we have.

My wife gets treated at the VAMC Tucson which has CITI. The benefit is mine not hers. The exemptions (conditions they will not treat) is very lengthy, but general healthcare and medications are covered. The few bucks I save there can make a real difference sometimes.

Well ststed by both JB and GuaymasJim.

[Pete53]

Actually ChampVA ia the spouses benefit. It goes with them and lasts for life. I don't begrudge any spouse getting treated at VA if that is their wish. I just don't see why. What irks me at VA is so many patients who are not Veterans. My VA also treats Tri Care Dependents. Not to mention the ones they let in cause the Director says so.

But I am with not causing problems with different situations as I believe the VA has been expert at splitting Veterans. United we stand and divided we fall.

[Berta]

I am grateful for CHAMPVA-and I think all recepients of it are. It certainly is a benefit that stems from the spouse's service and is determined in the regs.But I took much more advantage of Chapter 35 then this benefit.

One thing- to all- a spouse must apply for Medicare Part A and Part B when they become eligible for it- I think at age 62? not sure.Their Champva continuance of coverage depends on that-it is in the Champva book.

At that point Champva becomes a secondary insurance.

I only went to the VA once for treatment and have a primary private doctor-which I recommend not only for ChampVa spouses but also for vets too.

I had a medical test done yesterday that only required 25 mile trip-to private medical center- but if the VA was treating me-they would have probably sent me to Buffalo for the same test.Much further away.

Most vets -if disabled and get SSA for this, after 2 years, are eligible for Medicare -aren't they?

Can they at that time obtain a Medicare physician as well as VA health care?

Please correct me if I am wrong.

[purple]

i just don't see how any VA facility can justify providing care to anyone other than vets when the waiting list for appts is long and in some cases vets are turned away for care. ChampVA exists so that family members can get care at civilian facilities....thus freeing up VA facilities for the vets.

[ZenArcher]

In my mind the spouses have carried a large portion of the burden not only while we were active duty but later with our continued care. As my disease progresses I will become completely dependent on my wife for everything. I served 9 years she's going to serve the rest of my life because of it. I personally have no issue waiting behind a spouse.