Va Pain Clinic Fails To Renew My Script

[john999]

For some reason the VA pain clinic failed to renew my fentanyl patch script. I got my oxycodone today in the mail but no fentanyl patches. When does the constant screw-ups over my medications become malpractice or a tort? Every month no matter who I talk to at the VA, or what I do in advance the VA fails to get my script to me and I run out and go into withdrawl. I call the pain clinic....nobody home. I call advocate....busy. I call phramacy and they email the pain clinic asking why my script was not renewed. This is affecting my mental health being on pins and needles every month. Now I am facing a long weekend and I can't get into contact with my doctor at the pain clinic. I have a heart condition and mental health conditions. This is driving me crazy. I just spoke to the pain clinic head doctor yesterday about these screw-ups.

[john999]

Allan

This is what is happening to me. The doctor was going to wait until today to sign my script knowing I would not get it until next

Tuesday. My care is so poor I really would rather go to a pain clinic and pay cash than go through this every month. It verges on malpractice. Perhaps they are just trying to drive older and sicker vets out of the system. They are succeeding. Me and my wife spent three hours at the VA today

trying to get a doctor to sign my script. They treated me just like trash. The VA had called me on the phone this morning to come and get my script. When I got there it was not ready. We waited all morning to try and get some doctor to sign the script. Nobody lifed a finger to help us. I had to ask over and over where the doctor was and who was going to sigh my script. I have already been in contact with the director of medical services last month. Nothing changed. Just awful and totally careless treatment. I am not sure if there is anything I can do about it. The VA lies to me every time. It is a new lie each month.

[Wings]

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Allan, I remember to well that horrible night, 10 years ago! Meg was hot on your trail, updating us by the hour until we lost track on you! I think we all emailed the VA on that one! Sooo, John, take Allan's advice --and go to the nearest ER, but make someone drive you, or call the ambulence! The VA can pay for their mistakes via 38 USC Chapter 17.

Payment and Reimbursement of the Expenses of Medical Services Not Previously Authorized

§ 17.120 Payment or reimbursement of the expenses of hospital care and other medical services not previously authorized.

§ 17.121 Limitations on payment or reimbursement of the costs of emergency hospital care and medical services not previously authorized.

§ 17.122 Payment or reimbursement of the expenses of repairs to prosthetic appliances and similar devices furnished without prior authorization.

§ 17.123 Claimants.

§ 17.124 Preparation of claims.

§ 17.125 Where to file claims.

§ 17.126 Timely filing.

§ 17.127 Date of filing claims.

§ 17.128 Allowable rates and fees.

§ 17.129 Retroactive payments prohibited.

§ 17.130 Payment for treatment dependent upon preference prohibited.

§ 17.131 Payment of abandoned claims prohibited.

§ 17.132 Appeals.

Reconsideration of Denied Claims

§ 17.133 Procedures.

Delegations of Authority

§ 17.140 Authority to adjudicate reimbursement claims.

§ 17.141 Authority to adjudicate foreign reimbursement claims.

§ 17.142 Authority to approve sharing agreements, contracts for scarce medical specialist services and contracts for other medical services.

Emergency Care at Non-VA Facilities Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) http://www4.va.gov/healtheligibility/Library/FAQs/ECFAQ.asp#content-area

[john999]

My private psychologist and psychiatrist are willing to make statements that the constant worry over my pain med scripst being filled or not is aggravating both my mental and physical disabilites. I do feel to some extent this is the VA trying to discourage older and sicker vets from using the system.

[Wings]

My private psychologist and psychiatrist are willing to make statements that the constant worry over my pain med scripst being filled or not is aggravating both my mental and physical disabilites. I do feel to some extent this is the VA trying to discourage older and sicker vets from using the system.

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John,

1. See if you can get an IRIS message that responds to a medical emergency --have some evidence that the VA has FAILED to provide your medications. One thing you can do is to sign-up for HEALTHE VET from this site , you can see your medications --they list the meds by product code. Match the product code to your empty bottle.

2. It's the FRIDAY before a long, labor day weekend, so no one is going to be sitting at a desk --the ER is the ONLY viable alternative. You can NOT drive 20 miles to the ER because it is an EMERGENCY. Take a cab, or a friend, or call the ambulance --and go to the nearest ER!

2. You MUST call your VAMC within 72 hours, and notify them that you went to a Non-VA emergency room. If you do not tell the VA, they will not pay your reimbursement.

3. When the Non-VA ER bills you for payment, submit that to the VAMC fee-base office.

4. You have the option to file a 1151 Claim and Tort. Call your attorney and tell him you want to file for AGGRAVATION of a SC disability.

5. DON'T TAKE THIS CRAPOLA!! They are trying to xxxxxxx KILL YOU.

Love, Wings

[allan]

Wings,

due to the help of Meg and hadit members i've never had trouble getting my meds on time.

I only get breakthrough Oxys for pain(30 day supply), but as long as I call two weeks ahead there always on time.

They don't mess we me anymore. Meg told the facility that kept loosing my meds that she was a friend of mine and that she knows me well and that i'm crazy. Maybe that scared them. They send them on time now.

Wings is dead on about useing healthyvet.gov to order your meds. Mine have never been late using this site.

You can not order pain meds through this site is one problem. You must call 10 to 14 days before your prescription of pain meds run out. Calling sooner may give them the impression that you go through your meds to fast and are to eager to get more. Atleast this is what I've been told by a VA employee.

Payment and Reimbursement of the Expenses of Medical Services Not Previously Authorized

I have been trying to get reimbursement for my ER and three days in intensive care for diabetes last Jan.

I filed, than appealed, than appealed again, than appealed again.

I sent the codes and the presidential order that vets are to be reimbursed that came out last Feb/2010.

All I get out of them is that I have medicare and that they won't pay for even what medicare won't pay.

They refuse to pay anything. It doesnt matter if you notify them or not.

I tried to get in as a walk two weeks before the ER because I was passing out.

All they would say is the soonest I could get into the VA clinic was a month out. They sent me to the local ER or said to drive the 170 miles to Spokane VAMC ER.

By the time I made it to a local, private ER I was bearly concious.

The Dr said I wouldn't have made it another two hrs and would have never made the trip to the VAMC ER in Spokane. It was by the grace of God that my wife got me to the local ER on time or I wouldn't be here to type this.

Save your life no matter what. But expect the VA to blow you off when it comes to reimbursement for local ER treatment, even if you give notice or they send you there. I remember when they recommended I go to the local ER, they said," if you have your own insurance coverage or a way to pay for it, just go to the local hospital". No one ever said the VA will or can or may reimburse you.

[Wings]

Wings, due to the help of Meg and hadit members i've never had trouble getting my meds on time.

I only get breakthrough Oxys for pain(30 day supply), but as long as I call two weeks ahead there always on time.

They don't mess we me anymore. Meg told the facility that kept loosing my meds that she was a friend of mine and that she knows me well and that i'm crazy. Maybe that scared them. They send them on time now.

Meg is larger than life! Bless her and the Colonel.

Wings is dead on about useing healthyvet.gov to order your meds. Mine have never been late using this site.

You can not order pain meds through this site is one problem.

Allan, I did not know this, thanks for telling me.

You must call 10 to 14 days before your prescription of pain meds run out. Calling sooner may give them the impression that you go through your meds to fast and are to eager to get more. Atleast this is what I've been told by a VA employee.

Payment and Reimbursement of the Expenses of Medical Services Not Previously Authorized

I have been trying to get reimbursement for my ER and three days in intensive care for diabetes last Jan.

I filed, than appealed, than appealed again, than appealed again.

Allan, Did you Appeal to the BVA. You know that medical decisions can be appealed to the BVA?

I sent the codes and the presidential order that vets are to be reimbursed that came out last Feb/2010.

All I get out of them is that I have medicare and that they won't pay for even what medicare won't pay.

They refuse to pay anything. It doesnt matter if you notify them or not.

I tried to get in as a walk two weeks before the ER because I was passing out.

All they would say is the soonest I could get into the VA clinic was a month out. They sent me to the local ER or said to drive the 170 miles to Spokane VAMC ER.

By the time I made it to a local, private ER I was bearly concious.

The Dr said I wouldn't have made it another two hrs and would have never made the trip to the VAMC ER in Spokane. It was by the grace of God that my wife got me to the local ER on time or I wouldn't be here to type this.

Save your life no matter what. But expect the VA to blow you off when it comes to reimbursement for local ER treatment, even if you give notice or they send you there. I remember when they recommended I go to the local ER, they said," if you have your own insurance coverage or a way to pay for it, just go to the local hospital". No one ever said the VA will or can or may reimburse you.

The VA SUX BAD when it comes to paying non-VA care in a timely manner, but a few years back, I did see them pay Chuck's $8000.00 bill. Then again, Meg was helping this vet too! Wish she'd come back, we need her sage widom and fierce energy.

John, Like Allan sez, "Save your life no matter what" --then take up the sword and live to fight another day. ~Wings