VA Choice Program is the same o same o

[Pete53]

Please forgive me if I put this in wrong place but I am ashamed to admit new format baffles me.

 

On August 3rd VAMC Dallas informed me that the earliest Dermatology could see me was Oct 8th at 8 AM. I asked what about the 30 day wait list and getting outside appointment. The operator checked and siad I was eligible and said to call an 800 number in 5 to 10 business days. So I called August 11th Wednesday and they had nothing. I called VA and they said they had nothing so I called Patient Advocate and she said would check. She called me back in a couple of hours and told me that Head of Dermatology had not approved one person but my name would be sent up with a bunch of others.

 

I called today and nothing had changed so I call Directors Office and complained. By the way this all involver a half of dozen phone calls with long waits to talk to an operator or the clinics. My opinion is the Choice Program is a scam to make America think the wait list problem was fixed but nothing has changed.

[Notorious Kelly]

You don't put a union in charge of sending business to other providers.

[Buck52]

I agree with Gastone, you can call the  (866-606-8198) to make sure you qualify,  you will be ask some questions and the name of the place your Dr you wish to see, call this number and they will walk you through the things you need to do and ask you for information

This number is the ''HOTLINE''  & is exclusively to check your eligible for the VA Choice program & to set you up an VA community care appointment.

 

jmo

 

................Buck

[Buck52]

I understand if you are enrolled in VA HEALTHCARE on or before Aug1 2014, you are eligible to enroll as a  combat veteran.

and answered yes to any of the questions  you maybe eligible.

1.If your VAMC can't schedule you an appointment within 30 days?

2. if your current Residence is more than 40 miles from the closet VA medical facility.

3. you have a unusual or exercise a burden to travel

4. if you travel by plane or boat or ferry to the closet VAMC.

 

 

...............Buck

[john999]

If a vet is housebound would that be considered a burden to travel.  It is a burden for me to drive 25 miles in a rain storm to get to my local VAMC and then wade through water.  I have used Fee Base here in Tampa and I was not impressed.  If I am really sick the last place I am going is the VA.   I use the VA health care system because I know that if you don't document your current illness or injuries you may find yourself at a C&P exam one day explaining why you have no record of treatment for the last ten years.  The VA does some things Ok, but I would trade them in for a Medicare supplement that paid what medicare does not pay for now.  We have the best health care system in the world in private sector.  Why do we need duplicate system when we could just use the private system and have the VA pay for it?  So much cheaper than maintaining a separate but unequal medical system for vets.

[Buck52]

I would think so john999, if your HB thats a burden to travel.

[RUREADY]

I agree with all the above, this I have made complaints to all the top even email

to Bob I get a response from them but nothing is being done. If VA decide to let

all vets get care from outside providers that's good. But please don't stop pushing them to do

what's right for us vet keep complaining about the problem with VC and we can make it better.

Its a new program and the only way to get it right is to COMPLAIN about the problems. RU