Va Scheduling

[john999]

At my VAMC they started this deal where they send you a reminder letter and then you have to schedule your future appointments. I used to be able to just make an appointment with my Primary Care Doc say six months from now. That does not work anymore. Now I get a reminder letter and I have to try and call the VAMC and make an appointment. It makes everything more difficult and I can't plan things. I got a reminder Friday to see my shrink and when I called I have to wait a month to see him. Before I just made an appointment every three months. Are others suffering from this patient centered scheduling? I know this is not helping me. I am perfectly able to make an appointment six months from now and be there with having to go through this nonsense. It took me ten minutes to make an appointment just to get through to the operator.

[Pete53]

John:

In Dallas they tell you to call them in a certain month and make an appointment. Unfortunately it is often almost impossible to talk to the scheduling clerk.

[john999]

Pete

Do you think this is just an attempt to drive vets away from seeking treatment at the VA? I know my temperature was going up. You know my VAMC sees 1.5 million vets a year. Incredible I know since their are millions of vets here in Florida and the VA system just does not work under these conditions. By the way, when is your HB C&P? We have to get you ready for this with Alex's checklist. Do you own a baseball bat?

[carlie]

John 999,

Are you saying that when your checking out from whatever clinic that they won't go ahead and schedule your next appointment with them as your checking out????

They aren't doing that at Bay Pines ----------------------------------YET.

carlie

Edited February 5, 2007 by carlie

[Guest rickb54]

August Georgia medical center,

Are doing the same thing, they now send a post card to remind you that it is time to make your 6 month appointment. Then you have to call to make the appointmet. In the past you knew when you left the clinic when your next appointment is. I don't understand why they changed the way they make appointments. It just makes it harder for the veteran. Half of the time when you call for an appointment you can't get through to the clerk, or the clerk will not give you the appointment within a reasonable amount of time. I am calling in at 4 months instead of 6 months and maybe I will get my appointement on time.

[john999]

That's what I am saying Carlie. Mental health does it too. I used to make an appointment with my shrink every three months and now who knows. I may call when I get the reminder but who knows when I will be able to get the appointment. This is supposed to be vet centered scheduling. It must make it easier for the VA because it makes it harder for me.

[Guest fla_viking]

Dear Fellow Veterans & Friends

In Orlando they started this a year ago. I talked to the administrator of Orlando VA about it. He stated the reason they are doing this is they had about 20% of the veterans not show the old way. By having the veterans call for appointments they hope that will cut down on the no shows.

Its just a pain in the ass to me

Terry Higgins