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Complaining About Va Medical Care?

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Vync

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  • Content Curator/HadIt.com Elder

I would like to know the best and most effective way to complain about poor medical care at a VAMC.

I was recently injured by an x-ray tech at the VAMC. During the same visit, I was also given large amounts of IV and oral steroids, which resulted in me missing almost two weeks of work due to an adverse reaction (i.e. severe side effects).

Should I deliver my complaint through:

- Patient representative at the VAMC

- The IRIS web site

I have everything ready to go, just need some opinions on the best route to take.

Thanks!

"If it's stupid but works, then it isn't stupid."
- From Murphy's Laws of Combat

Disclaimer: I am not a legal expert, so use at own risk and/or consult a qualified professional representative. Please refer to existing VA laws, regulations, and policies for the most up to date information.

 

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"but what should I do if they fail to authorize a release of the records?"

I assume you have made an appointment with the Director?

You could call his office and ask them to obtain these reports so he has documentation of what happened.

Then ask him/her for a copy of them at the meeting. They could still show up from the Record release office-it takes time for them to get to these requests.

GRADUATE ! Nov 2nd 2007 American Military University !

When thousands of Americans faced annihilation in the 1800s Chief

Osceola's response to his people, the Seminoles, was

simply "They(the US Army)have guns, but so do we."

Sameo to us -They (VA) have 38 CFR ,38 USC, and M21-1- but so do we.

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What a fiasco, wishing you the best, Vync.

Can someone please explain this statement to me, we don't have access to our own mental health records?

I know they have the discretion of releasing MH records
Thanks.

I didn't know I was krazy, til my VA shrink told me...

What you Need, not what you Want... (Jim Strickland IIRC)

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Jones..

That is an excellent question and I would also like to know the answer. It has been my limited experience that my MH records have not been restricted at the VA. That is, if I want them, I go to "release of information" at the VAMC and show my id, and sign a release, and I can get a few pages right away, or, if I want my entire VA medical record, including MH, I will have to wait a few weeks and it will be delivered by mail, just because it takes some time to print off hundreds of pages.

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  • HadIt.com Elder

Even if the VA refuses to release MH records to the Veteran the Veteran can get the records sent to their Doctor which the VA has to do if requested.

Veterans deserve real choice for their health care.

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  • Content Curator/HadIt.com Elder

Pete,

That's good info. We all definitely appreciate it.

"If it's stupid but works, then it isn't stupid."
- From Murphy's Laws of Combat

Disclaimer: I am not a legal expert, so use at own risk and/or consult a qualified professional representative. Please refer to existing VA laws, regulations, and policies for the most up to date information.

 

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Great point!

If you have a friend that's a doctor just do the release to them. I had to go this route with my psych records once.

Jerr

Even if the VA refuses to release MH records to the Veteran the Veteran can get the records sent to their Doctor which the VA has to do if requested.
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