Pulmonary consult remains unassigned to a VA Doctor.

[cannoncocker]

I burned the search button out searching for the ideal /proper spot to post this so if any mod can improve please feel free to move this questrion.

I presented to my local outpatient clinic in Marianna, Florida. No physicians, just nurses with blood in phlegm. They sent me to radiology (CT Scan). Radiology in turn requested a consutlt with Pulmonary. 

That is where the treatment ends. They told me 2 weeks ago they we looking for aa physician to assign this to. Didn't happen.

Question: what are my options for getting civilian treament if they are so understaffed... or conversely who in this command chain can I go to for assistance with this?

 

I feel it's not unreasonable at 65 and blood coming out of my mouth expecting timely treatment is not unreasonable. As they told a family member, if you had come in just few days earlier. well, it seems like he would never know in this scenario.

 

[Scottish_Knight]

I don't understand how Tricare and the VA function in CONUS with regards to vets, so if I am out of line here, my apologies.

If I had blood coming out of my mouth for several days, I would make an immediate appointment with an internist or ENT physician now and worry about the bills later.  There are circumstances when we find something physically wrong that could wait and times when we need medical assistance immediately.  This is one of those times.  If all else, go to the nearest hospital.  Spitting up blood is not to be taken lightly.  Could be an ulcer, could be something in the lungs, in your throat, etc.  Get this looked after immediately.  Worry about a Tricare / VA claim after. 

[pacmanx1]

You should be able to have your primary care doctor put you in for a community care referral and go from there.  

[cannoncocker]

4 hours ago, pacmanx1 said:

You should be able to have your primary care doctor put you in for a community care referral and go from there.  

That was precisely what I was referring to but couldn't formulate how that worked since it has been a very long time since using that for opthmaology but that was  less urgent and more frequently used/known. Odds are that is what what I'll have to do.

4 hours ago, Scottish_Knight said:

I don't understand how Tricare and the VA function in CONUS with regards to vets, so if I am out of line here, my apologies.

If I had blood coming out of my mouth for several days, I would make an immediate appointment with an internist or ENT physician now and worry about the bills later.  There are circumstances when we find something physically wrong that could wait and times when we need medical assistance immediately.  This is one of those times.  If all else, go to the nearest hospital.  Spitting up blood is not to be taken lightly.  Could be an ulcer, could be something in the lungs, in your throat, etc.  Get this looked after immediately.  Worry about a Tricare / VA claim after. 

I wish I could express how much I would prefer to just get a consult and get diagnosed... Then if it's medicine or hospitalization ...i'll decide how I want to play it. If it were flowing by the buckets, yes I have family members I am obligated to to to keep the ball rolling as long as possible. If They can't get it straight by next week community care based treatment seems most palitible which in truth nothing about this is palitable. Up to this point I've never encountrered a point of care provder poroblem si this is all new to me. 

I didn't know if the community care option was still available/operating so that is problem ridden in trading medical info. Additionally I don't have a primary care Doctor, Primary Care Nurse, yes, I do have one of those.

So technically in days how long is a reasonable length to wait for a consult, after their ordered CT Scan  and consult recommended by radiology before I can request Community Based Care?. Note, none of the abvove have mentioned an ER route. I've made it clear I am completely willing to go hospitalization so they are not/should not precluding ER/Hospitalization due to my unwillingness since I've made it clear I am willing to do whatever they need me to do, apart from waiting a year,on an unassigned consult, assuming I'm still sucking air.       

Failing that who in the medical oversight could I address this issue with, if anyone? 

 

Thank both of you for providing your experince and knowedge.

 

Edited July 30, 2021 by cannoncocker

[broncovet]

IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, go to your local ER and then follow these rules to the letter:

https://www.va.gov/communitycare/programs/veterans/emergency_care.asp

   In summary, go to any Emergency room, and notify VA ASAP.  They do that so you can transfer to a VAMC if hospitalized.  But follow those rules in the link, do not rely upon my summary.  

IF ITS NOT AN emergency:  

I use myhealthevet to send a message to my prime care doc.  Or, I can go to the prime care and send the doc a note as to "what I need"

such as a refil of meds, or referral to another doc.  I usually get an answer fairly promptly.  

I agree with pacman, they always want you to go primary care doc.  

If your clinic does not have a prime care doc ask them for one.  

You may have to travel to see your prime care doc, but VA will pay you travel pay, likely, for that.  

Frankly, you need to travel to a larger VAMC who will assign a prime care doc, likely, to make this happen.  You can try asking the nurse you visited for a referral, or ask the nurse if you must see prime care doc for referral to the community docs.  

They are supposed to give you a community doc if your VAMC can not get you treatment within 30 days.  

 

Edited July 30, 2021 by broncovet

[Scottish_Knight]

Don't take this as a high-jacking of this thread.... but is this truly what you lot go through in the US when ill or injured?  I cannot fathom how wrong sounding all this is!

Ok, over here in Germany, I have no Tricare dental.  But when I'm injured or ill, I simply go to my GP.  If I need anything extra done (specialist or surgery), I just go and it's relatively quick unless routine.  Granted, the bills come to me (I know the cost differences between the US and the rest of the world), I pay them and get most back from Tricare, VA or both if SC. 

I cannot believe Cannoncocker is having to jump these hurdles to get health assistance.  I simply thought only the VA was a mess.