How Do You Communicate With Va Health Team?

[OldDave]

I'm new to the VA health care system. How do you communicate with your primary care team between appointments? I've tried calling the nurse. Leaving a voice mail message is a bad way to communicate any way. Get stage fright as soon as I hear the beep.

This is the second time I've called and left a message for my Team Nurse at the VA outpatient clinic and no response. The first time was because I switched from my pvt meds to the VA meds all at once and that put my numbers out of whack. BP, pulse and blood sugar. I left a total of 3 messages. After about 1 1/2 wks I switched back to my pvt meds to get my numbers back down. After 3 weeks she finally returns my call and I report that I made the switch. I found out later that she made a note in my file that I'm non-compliant because the PCP said I shouldn't be on metformin(one of my pvt meds). Never did get back to me with new orders from the PCP.

This second call is now over a week old. Should I just follow the orders of my pvt doctor and nod my head and say thank you when I make the VA appointments? That way I can get my VA meds.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Dave

[john999]

Yes, if you relie on your private doctor just go along with the VA program. I complained about the side effects of a VA pain med, and they put me through about 6 months having to drive to the VAMC and get my meds in person. Now I don't complain about anything. You could try and get another PCP. I don't know if that will work. My PCP is pretty good, but the pain clinic is awful.

[OldDave]

Yes, if you relie on your private doctor just go along with the VA program. I complained about the side effects of a VA pain med, and they put me through about 6 months having to drive to the VAMC and get my meds in person. Now I don't complain about anything. You could try and get another PCP. I don't know if that will work. My PCP is pretty good, but the pain clinic is awful.

Thanks John999. I think I'll follow your advice. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep insurance until I qualify for Medicare. It just seems a shame that it has to be that way.

Dave

[*Bergie*]

I'm new to the VA health care system. How do you communicate with your primary care team between appointments? I've tried calling the nurse. Leaving a voice mail message is a bad way to communicate any way. Get stage fright as soon as I hear the beep.

This is the second time I've called and left a message for my Team Nurse at the VA outpatient clinic and no response. The first time was because I switched from my pvt meds to the VA meds all at once and that put my numbers out of whack. BP, pulse and blood sugar. I left a total of 3 messages. After about 1 1/2 wks I switched back to my pvt meds to get my numbers back down. After 3 weeks she finally returns my call and I report that I made the switch. I found out later that she made a note in my file that I'm non-compliant because the PCP said I shouldn't be on metformin(one of my pvt meds). Never did get back to me with new orders from the PCP.

This second call is now over a week old. Should I just follow the orders of my pvt doctor and nod my head and say thank you when I make the VA appointments? That way I can get my VA meds.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Dave

I had a similar problem once and complained to the service rep, she looked at the messages sent and said they were not sent correctly.They did not specify that I wanted a call back. Since then I tell the call center that I want my doctor to call me back and he has every time. Try this next time it worked for me.

Bergie