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Opting Out Of Va Medical System?

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I am 100%, and VA Care has been excellent. Problem is I have a very bad heart, just got out of the local private hospital after an emergency and five day stay. I need a local cardiologist, not one 60 some miles away (I don't drive, ride shuttle), I need a local pace maker dr., not one half way across the state. I need local dental care as well. The primary dr. is 20 miles away at the VA clinic.

I am getting to weak to make the trips, I need to be seen more often, and I need a dr. & cardio dr. that are local and available when I have an immedient problem, and who know my case, who can come to emergency with full knowledge of my med background.

So is it possible to get this done, and how do I get it done? I have been trying for 4 years and meet resistance.

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  • HadIt.com Elder

You can go elsewhere but you have to pay for it. I have Medicare and a Medicare supplement, that I use for my local care. I used my last COLA to help pay for the supplemental insurance. I see my VA doc once, or twice, a yr and get my prescriptions, from them, as needed. I'm starting to develop kidney problems, thanks to the VA prescribing me 800mg of ibuprofen 3x a day. Ibuprofen is very bad for your kidneys. I've stopped taking it and will check w/my local doc about something for the pain, now. My VA doc gave me some BS about their protocols only allow 100mg of tramadol a day. That was a lie!!!!!!

pr

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  • HadIt.com Elder

I am waiting for the VA to offer me a lump sum to opt out of VA health care. A local congressman did a survey of vets and found 40% of vets wanted to opt out of VA care and get their care from private sources and have VA pay like Fee Base. I also have medicare and a supplement for me and my wife. It costs me $435 a month. It is worth it because neither me nor my wife have copays or deductibles. My wife has ChampVA and Blue Cross and I have medicare and BC. If the VA would pay for our blue cross I would never darken their door again. I am officially housebound but I can't get Fee Base because the VA says I live too close. I see really old geezers (WW11) at the VAMC waiting for hours. Many can barely walk.

John

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