Interesting Article on El Paso VA and Congressman's Support for Change

[green]

Very interesting approach for VA to focus on mental health and outsource other care.

 

http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/15/politics/el-paso-va-reform/index.html

[TALON II FE]

It would solve a lot of problems for some.

[Chuck75]

Outsourcing care will not be wholly effective unless and until the VA seriously streamlines the process, regardless of what they call it.

Fee paid was sort of working, with delay, but it got hammered by the VA's "Choice" program schemes.

In 2014, I started an effort to use VA fee paid. The reason was simply that the co-pay/out of pockets for an in hospital proceedure

had more than doubled. That, coupled with the level of expertise in the procedure at a local area regional medical center were the primary drivers.

The total time involved from the start of the process to the procedure was more than six months.  (Without the VA being involved, the time from contacting the doctor and hospital was about a week.) (Or less, depending!)

[TALON II FE]

I am 70% PTSD, diagnosed on AD 4-5 years ago, and I have NEVER been able to see an actual Psychiatrist.  NEVER!  Not thru Tricare, not thru the VA.  I have had at least 6 referrals from Tricare, but have yet to get a referral that 'worked" (ie- to an actual Doc who would/could see me).  My mother, (who is now living with us) was having some issues (at least partially caused by living with me and my PTSD), she was able to see a Doc in less then 2 weeks.  The more embroiled in all this I get, the more I begin to believe the theory they would really prefer we all just would "go away".

Edited February 16, 2016 by TALON II FE