Why the VA?

[quietmike]

In remote areas, I can see having a seperate VA facility. But in areas that already have numerous hospitals and docs, why the duplicative facilities, docs, nurses, etc.
Why not let vets go to the facility of their choice and send the bill to the government.
Is TBI really different if you got it from an IED vs a car crash? Is PTSD different if you got it from combat vs childhood abuse?

What say you?

 

[Cowpokey]

I thought that got changed a few years ago, so Vets can go to the hospital of their choice and bill the VA?

 

[jb0311]

In remote areas, I can see having a seperate VA facility. But in areas that already have numerous hospitals and docs, why the duplicative facilities, docs, nurses, etc.
Why not let vets go to the facility of their choice and send the bill to the government.
Is TBI really different if you got it from an IED vs a car crash? Is PTSD different if you got it from combat vs childhood abuse?

What say you?

Most of the time I get seen out in the community, and I have weekly appointments. I drive about 3 hours round trip each appointment. What isn’t done in the community, I get seen over VA video chat. I’ve never once been to my assigned VA medical center here. About once a year I’ll go to my VA clinic.

To answer your question, it would be easier if more private primary and specialist drs were in network but even with community care, options are limited in who will see VA patients. In theory it would be much better, and I would think cheaper, but my options would be even more limited than they are now if I could only go out in the community for care. More private practices would have to take VA patients for any of that to work.

There are good drs in the va, few and far between though which probably is true outside the VA too. In my experience, for my service connected problems, a good VA Dr. beats a good private care Dr hands down. The good ones I’ve had in the past were prior service docs so that helps.

 

[Redmanss]

Why? Control.

 

[Lombardia]

Physician here did some of my training at the VA and loved it, enjoyed taking care of the patients. I currently work in private practice and have my fair share of vets that "double dip".

I agree but the VA was formed back in the day when healthcare was not a guarantee, not paid for, health insurance and Medicare were a generation away and the nation was chock full of returned and very damaged WW-1 veterans. As you know .gov agencies just keep growing to justify their existence. It used to be pretty awful culminating in a scandal during the early 90's when one winter from multiple institutions several demented/delirious patients left the premises without anyone knowing with their bodies found in the spring a few months' later. This drove a huge quality control improvement that actually had excellent results and they are not only pretty cutting edge as far as staffing ratios and good equipment, but the first institution to go fully electronic 30 years ago!

Aside from all the anti .gov right-wing feelings many of us including myself entertain I feel the VA currently is actually pretty good and highly recommended for service related health problems as they have the infrastructure to recognize it and take care of it. I didn't say it was perfect, but it does good (not great, but certainly good) service to disabled and damaged vets just like it was supposed to.

Also if you're service connected with disability (used to be also served in any wartime) prescriptions are free. Otherwise it's $10 a month. While in this day when most meds are generic and cheaper at $10 for a three month supply at Walmart and many other private pharmacies, this also includes crazy expensive meds like glaucoma drops or asthma inhalers or designer drugs like those for rheumatoid arthritis that might have a $50, $100, $500 copay or something insane.

End of life care is better as they are not trying to milk you for every last round of treatment. Of course its also cheaper to let you die as well but the private system is catching on too and behaves the same way but differently. The customer service at the VA still sucks though (but has improved from olden times). If anything I recommend doing both VA and having private doc on the side: each tends to fill the holes where the other is weaker so you get the best of both worlds.

Ultimately vets are extremely sick, expensive to take care of and the addition of this patient load to other hospitals without huge government funding would put them out of business. That way the government takes care of its own. Service men and women put their life on the line, uncle Sam takes care of the damage he made you suffer. Fair is fair. For the most part while not perfect I feel it's a workable system.

 

[jb0311]

I thought that got changed a few years ago, so Vets can go to the hospital of their choice and bill the VA?

Yes and no. There is community care, which needs a referral, and preapproval. If you need to go to an urgent care or emergency room you just need to call the va within a few days ( 24hrs is best). That’s been my experience anyway. My healthcare is 100% VA and has been for over a decade now. I’m still learning the system as it can be a nightmare to figure out on your own.

 

[powdahound76]

The VA is scam of the American tax slave.

And control of the Vets, as noted.

 

[Cowpokey]

Yes and no. There is community care, which needs a referral, and preapproval. If you need to go to an urgent care or emergency room you just need to call the va within a few days ( 24hrs is best). That’s been my experience anyway. My healthcare is 100% VA and has been for over a decade now. I’m still learning the system as it can be a nightmare to figure out on your own.

Thanks for the clarification, I'm a retiree, and pay to have Tricare. We have primary care providers on base here, but it's a small clinic that refers anything more serious than an X-ray or blood work to local hospitals.

 

[quietmike]

Physician here did some of my training at the VA and loved it, enjoyed taking care of the patients. I currently work in private practice and have my fair share of vets that "double dip".

I agree but the VA was formed back in the day when healthcare was not a guarantee, not paid for, health insurance and Medicare were a generation away and the nation was chock full of returned and very damaged WW-1 veterans. As you know .gov agencies just keep growing to justify their existence. It used to be pretty awful culminating in a scandal during the early 90's when one winter from multiple institutions several demented/delirious patients left the premises without anyone knowing with their bodies found in the spring a few months' later. This drove a huge quality control improvement that actually had excellent results and they are not only pretty cutting edge as far as staffing ratios and good equipment, but the first institution to go fully electronic 30 years ago!

Aside from all the anti .gov right-wing feelings many of us including myself entertain I feel the VA currently is actually pretty good and highly recommended for service related health problems as they have the infrastructure to recognize it and take care of it. I didn't say it was perfect, but it does good (not great, but certainly good) service to disabled and damaged vets just like it was supposed to.

Also if you're service connected with disability (used to be also served in any wartime) prescriptions are free. Otherwise it's $10 a month. While in this day when most meds are generic and cheaper at $10 for a three month supply at Walmart and many other private pharmacies, this also includes crazy expensive meds like glaucoma drops or asthma inhalers or designer drugs like those for rheumatoid arthritis that might have a $50, $100, $500 copay or something insane.

End of life care is better as they are not trying to milk you for every last round of treatment. Of course its also cheaper to let you die as well but the private system is catching on too and behaves the same way but differently. The customer service at the VA still sucks though (but has improved from olden times). If anything I recommend doing both VA and having private doc on the side: each tends to fill the holes where the other is weaker so you get the best of both worlds.

Ultimately vets are extremely sick, expensive to take care of and the addition of this patient load to other hospitals without huge government funding would put them out of business. That way the government takes care of its own. Service men and women put their life on the line, uncle Sam takes care of the damage he made you suffer. Fair is fair. For the most part while not perfect I feel it's a workable system.

Government is already on the hook to pay for vets healthcare, so the question is whether having duplicative services is cheaper or not.
I can't remember any time I've seen non-VA patients blowing their brains out at a regular hospital over the long wait times.

 

[quietmike]

Most of the time I get seen out in the community, and I have weekly appointments. I drive about 3 hours round trip each appointment. What isn’t done in the community, I get seen over VA video chat. I’ve never once been to my assigned VA medical center here. About once a year I’ll go to my VA clinic.

To answer your question, it would be easier if more private primary and specialist drs were in network but even with community care, options are limited in who will see VA patients. In theory it would be much better, and I would think cheaper, but my options would be even more limited than they are now if I could only go out in the community for care. More private practices would have to take VA patients for any of that to work.

There are good drs in the va, few and far between though which probably is true outside the VA too. In my experience, for my service connected problems, a good VA Dr. beats a good private care Dr hands down. The good ones I’ve had in the past were prior service docs so that helps.

But would more private physicians see vets if they knew they could send their bill to the government and knew it would be paid?

 

[jb0311]

But would more private physicians see vets if they knew they could send their bill to the government and knew it would be paid?

That’s what community care is essentially. I’m not sure the rhyme or reason as to why many don’t accept VA patients. I know they have to sign up for it to be in network. But they are paid just like through any other insurance. I’ll ask one of my DRs receptionist next time I remember and see if it’s a huge pain or not. I just know that it’s easy for me to get approved for community care appointments, but I usually have to drive a bit to get to a provider that will see me.

 

[hlee]

Insurance isn’t just a company paying your bills for you. It is also- essentially- collective bargaining. The bigger the insurance company, the more subscribers they have. The more subscribers they have, the more leverage they have. My insurance statements read something like…

“Here is what those Jack-Wagons billed for their alleged services (Some obscene amount).”

“Here is what we payed (generally 20-50% of the billed amount).”

“Here is what you owe (Always $0.)”

I really can’t imagine a bigger subscriber base than what the VA has. I don’t know, but I suspect non-VA medical providers don’t take VA patients because doing so is inviting the 800 lb gorilla into the office.

(I’m not current of former service, and do not have VA healthcare.)

 

[DocRDS]

"The VA is giving our Vets a 2nd chance to die for their country"

I think the rest of us are starting to see what Vets have been putting up with for years. Wanna see a Doctor? Sure we can schedule you for 2033. Would you like Morning or Afternoon?

 

[hlee]

"The VA is giving our Vets a 2nd chance to die for their country"

I think the rest of us are starting to see what Vets have been putting up with for years. Wanna see a Doctor? Sure we can schedule you for 2033. Would you like Morning or Afternoon?

 

[mi650]

"The VA is giving our Vets a 2nd chance to die for their country"

I think the rest of us are starting to see what Vets have been putting up with for years. Wanna see a Doctor? Sure we can schedule you for 2033. Would you like Morning or Afternoon?

My mom retired from the VA, I spent many days wandering around there as a kid.

I'm a vet, and will never willingly set foot in a VA hospital again.

 

[chevy_man]

I thought that got changed a few years ago, so Vets can go to the hospital of their choice and bill the VA?

Yes, maybe, sometimes, no....


My Dad finally got around to filing the paperwork to get on Tricare and draw retirement (he was an officer, I give him shit about waiting for someone else to do the work for him).

Mostly he found that he didn't have to actually go to the VA. He lives about 300 miles from the closest one, and the local hospital will accept Tricare.
He also has a decent retirement job with insurance, so he figures he'll still be ok with a primary and secondary to cover 100%.

As a diabetic with cancer, he figured he can't not be covered by at least 2 plans. He also figured that the VA wouldn't be the right place to get treatment for either one. He's been going to Huntsman in SLC at a 12+ hour drive each way for 10 years dealing with initial cancer treatment and checkups, so it wasn't the distance. Just the quality of care.

 

[lonegunman762x51]

The VA exists to kill veterans, sending them to a real hospital with qualified doctors and nurses will keep vets alive far longer than they want you to live. The original intent of the VA was to care for injured and ill servicemen and women. Anyone not sent there directly from a military hospital is to be denied and lied to until they die if possible. The people they hire for doctors must have a history of malpractice and be uninsurable in any state or country on earth. If you are considered a complete fucking idiot in your field, the VA wants you.

I've known several vets they have simply killed. One of them was a guy we worked with that used the VA, got a blood borne infection and died in the VA hospital while they debated over what to do to treat thim, it took a month of suffering.

Another was a guy who had broken his neck on a parachute jump at Ft. Bragg. He had plates in his neck and after many years he was having issues with numbness and loss of feeling in his legs. The VA sent him to a local imaging center and the radiologist refused to send him home after he saw the screws from the plates touching his spinal cord. They took him to the civilian hospital at the VA's request and surgeons operated, repaired the damage and saved his life. After the surgury, the VA refused to pay for his surgury and rehab, AFTER THEY AUTHORIZED IT, and the vet was stuck with over $200K in medcial bills, months of bill collector harassment and VA bullshit harassment he grew more and more depressed and eventually killed himself. After he was dead, the VA apologized and paid the bills. Problem was, he was still fucking dead.

When the Dems want a government agency to run their gulags and death camps, it will not doubt be the VA.

 

[Snipe260]

The VA exists to kill veterans, sending them to a real hospital with qualified doctors and nurses will keep vets alive far longer than they want you to live. The original intent of the VA was to care for injured and ill servicemen and women. Anyone not sent there directly from a military hospital is to be denied and lied to until they die if possible. The people they hire for doctors must have a history of malpractice and be uninsurable in any state or country on earth. If you are considered a complete fucking idiot in your field, the VA wants you.

I've known several vets they have simply killed. One of them was a guy we worked with that used the VA, got a blood borne infection and died in the VA hospital while they debated over what to do to treat thim, it took a month of suffering.

Another was a guy who had broken his neck on a parachute jump at Ft. Bragg. He had plates in his neck and after many years he was having issues with numbness and loss of feeling in his legs. The VA sent him to a local imaging center and the radiologist refused to send him home after he saw the screws from the plates touching his spinal cord. They took him to the civilian hospital at the VA's request and surgeons operated, repaired the damage and saved his life. After the surgury, the VA refused to pay for his surgury and rehab, AFTER THEY AUTHORIZED IT, and the vet was stuck with over $200K in medcial bills, months of bill collector harassment and VA bullshit harassment he grew more and more depressed and eventually killed himself. After he was dead, the VA apologized and paid the bills. Problem was, he was still fucking dead.

When the Dems want a government agency to run their gulags and death camps, it will not doubt be the VA.

You left out the part where your ex also works there! And she will kill you, twice

 

[n2ishun]

Don't get me started on my dad.
WWII vet.
VA killed him sure as shit.

 

[HeavyAssault]

The US CONGRESS is scam of the American tax slave.

And control of AMERICANS, as noted.

FIFY

 

[The D]

….Because that boondoggle isn’t gonna defraud itself

 

[jb0311]

Insurance isn’t just a company paying your bills for you. It is also- essentially- collective bargaining. The bigger the insurance company, the more subscribers they have. The more subscribers they have, the more leverage they have. My insurance statements read something like…

“Here is what those Jack-Wagons billed for their alleged services (Some obscene amount).”

“Here is what we payed (generally 20-50% of the billed amount).”

“Here is what you owe (Always $0.)”

I really can’t imagine a bigger subscriber base than what the VA has. I don’t know, but I suspect non-VA medical providers don’t take VA patients because doing so is inviting the 800 lb gorilla into the office.

(I’m not current of former service, and do not have VA healthcare.)

That’s exactly what va community care does. They don’t pay the full private practice bill, the negotiate it down and pay that. My bill is $0.

 

[jb0311]

It’s worth noting that no 2 va medical centers are the same (in levels of care and wait). Louisville was a complete shit show for quality care, Fargo was excellent in terms of wait times and quality, Hampton is swamped (to the point I’ve never actually been to the physical med center) but they do a good job getting me out to community appointments.

In the past 10+ years I have noticed some improvement. I think the major issue is consistency. People judge the VA as a whole, and as a whole it sucks, but each medical center is completely different. (For those who don’t know, you are assigned a medical center depending on your local, and you are under their umbrella). They’re usually understaffed as well. Most vets don’t know how to navigate the system, for example you CAN change your primary doctor if yours sucks. I’ve done it a couple times myself and ended up with much better care.
You have to take a little more initiative to figure out what your options are under VA. Most vets I know and have talked to that have VA as there primary, and often only, healthcare, have no idea how to navigate the system. It is a government program so it’s not completely intuitive.
Most counties I have lived in have Veterans Service Officers that their entire job is helping you out with shit like this. If you don’t have one, or they suck, then use DVA, etc.

Not bragging on the VA, but let’s not pretend that the private medical sector doesn’t kill people too…

 

[powdahound76]

FIFY

Not wrong at all.

I was simply addressing the discussion at hand.

 

[Lombardia]

Government is already on the hook to pay for vets healthcare, so the question is whether having duplicative services is cheaper or not.
I can't remember any time I've seen non-VA patients blowing their brains out at a regular hospital over the long wait times.

Nobody is blowing their brains out for the most part waiting in the private world. They are just dying of their other illnesses. No really it's a brave new world. I think the typical poster here is probably more aware that politics and finance are intricately married and their son has combined the worst elements of both socialism and capitalism with the benefits of both system eliminated. Long waits, high prices, low availability, huge bureaucracy/red tape and huge profits of power and control for a small handful of very few uber wealthy puppetmasters.

The way they get away with this is starting off with exhorbitant costs and fees of insurance or anything that happens including taxes. Then when you actually need anything, sometimes even a $10 for 90 day generic, you get met with enormous barriers, having to call a number that doesn't answer, text a cell that gives error messages, an email with an automated reply with links that don't work. They do everything so you wait, wait, wait, wait, get discouraged, give up hoping you'll be abandoned to your fate and many do. This is from years of working as a doctor in the private system not the VA!

This is healthcare in the 21st century. The government and insurers have decided it's easier and cheaper to let you die. PSA people take good care of yourselves and do your best to I won't say eliminate your need of the healthcare system because this isn't always possible but reduce the chance you will require healthcare.

 

[hlee]

Nobody is blowing their brains out for the most part waiting in the private world. They are just dying of their other illnesses. No really it's a brave new world. I think the typical poster here is probably more aware that politics and finance are intricately married and their son has combined the worst elements of both socialism and capitalism with the benefits of both system eliminated. Long waits, high prices, low availability, huge bureaucracy/red tape and huge profits of power and control for a small handful of very few uber wealthy puppetmasters.

The way they get away with this is starting off with exhorbitant costs and fees of insurance or anything that happens including taxes. Then when you actually need anything, sometimes even a $10 for 90 day generic, you get met with enormous barriers, having to call a number that doesn't answer, text a cell that gives error messages, an email with an automated reply with links that don't work. They do everything so you wait, wait, wait, wait, get discouraged, give up hoping you'll be abandoned to your fate and many do. This is from years of working as a doctor in the private system not the VA!

This is healthcare in the 21st century. The government and insurers have decided it's easier and cheaper to let you die. PSA people take good care of yourselves and do your best to I won't say eliminate your need of the healthcare system because this isn't always possible but reduce the chance you will require healthcare.

This has not been my experience as a healthcare recipient in the “private system.”

Need an appt? Call the office. Sure, we can see you in an hour. We’ll send the script directly to your pharmacy. It will be ready when you get there. Pharmacy calls to remind that it’s there. Specialist? No referral necessary. Big list of in network physicians to choose from, on an easy to navigate website.

It’s not perfect, nor is it inexpensive. But, it’s a whole lot better than the horror stories I’ve heard from international friends and acquaintances regarding “single payer systems” in other countries.

Those arguing for a single payer system want all US citizens to get VA level care and service. I’ve read and heard enough stories to pass on that noise.

 

[Missalot]

I thought it was a reimbursement thing. The payment to the docs for treatment is so low, most physicians won't see VA card carrying members.

 

[jb0311]

This has not been my experience as a healthcare recipient in the “private system.”

Need an appt? Call the office. Sure, we can see you in an hour. We’ll send the script directly to your pharmacy. It will be ready when you get there. Pharmacy calls to remind that it’s there. Specialist? No referral necessary. Big list of in network physicians to choose from, on an easy to navigate website.

It’s not perfect, nor is it inexpensive. But, it’s a whole lot better than the horror stories I’ve heard from international friends and acquaintances regarding “single payer systems” in other countries.

Those arguing for a single payer system want all US citizens to get VA level care and service. I’ve read and heard enough stories to pass on that noise.

And just like as we’re seeing on here in regards to private healthcare, not all VA experiences are bad either. I’m in no way endorsing VA over private or vise Versa but where I live most doctors won’t even take new patients unless you’re related to an existing patient. You read that right. They somehow don’t have room for a new patient unless you’re related to an existing patient, and then somehow magically a spot opens up for you. That was told to my wife 2 times by different offices. Meanwhile I can get into a VA appointment the same week, and have my prescriptions mailed to my door.

 

[jb0311]

I thought it was a reimbursement thing. The payment to the docs for treatment is so low, most physicians won't see VA card carrying members.

I wouldn’t say most, but maybe half from my experience. And I’ll see if I can track down a bill this month as I get them just like you do for private insurance. They look very similar and the “negotiation” talk down price is pretty similar as well. Im going to ask one of my community care providers soon, but I’m guessing it’s just an additional process for the billing people to learn, and from my experience they’re usually pretty “challenged” to begin with. My wife has way more trouble getting them to bill her blue cross insurance correctly. Usually they bill it wrong, then when insurance kicks it back, the physician sticks her with the whole bill, and it’s a cycle of this(including threats of sending to a collection agency), until somehow they figure it out months later.

 

[Lombardia]

This has not been my experience as a healthcare recipient in the “private system.”

Need an appt? Call the office. Sure, we can see you in an hour. We’ll send the script directly to your pharmacy. It will be ready when you get there. Pharmacy calls to remind that it’s there. Specialist? No referral necessary. Big list of in network physicians to choose from, on an easy to navigate website.

It’s not perfect, nor is it inexpensive. But, it’s a whole lot better than the horror stories I’ve heard from international friends and acquaintances regarding “single payer systems” in other countries.

Those arguing for a single payer system want all US citizens to get VA level care and service. I’ve read and heard enough stories to pass on that noise.

It's changing. I see patients ASAP because I am private and part of a family business, one of the few left in our area so it's in my best interest to have happy patients come back. My inbox is full of messages from unhappy patients that can't get their testing, imaging, biopsies, specialist visits, referrals, colonoscopies, whatever. That wasn't the case 10 years ago. Every area is different too but watch for this coming to a town near you...

BTW not arguing for a single payer system at all. I've seen it in Europe and that's where they got the idea in the first place but are removing the benefits of it being at least guaranteed on some level. Not good.

 

[jb0311]

I think if anything, healthcare in general sucks ass in this country. VA or private. That’s been our experience anyway.

 

[Lombardia]

I think if anything, healthcare in general sucks ass in this country. VA or private. That’s been our experience anyway.

Objectively you are correct in that it leaves a lot to be desired. Relatively speaking it remains the best in the world and you can only do worse, it's all downhill once you leave our borders.

 

[jb0311]

Objectively you are correct in that it leaves a lot to be desired. Relatively speaking it remains the best in the world and you can only do worse, it's all downhill once you leave our borders.

Oh I get that as well. I could be wrong, but for what we pay vs what we get it at least seems to be down there in terms of value.

 

[EddieNFL]

Had my first appointment with the VA last week. Not the oldest, but far from the youngest there. Felt a little embarrassed as I appeared to be one of the most healthy. Go next week for audio testing. I will probably not return unless they provide hearing aids.

 

[DocRDS]

Lol i couldn't think of something to go with it, but I totally ripped that joke off Reagan =)

 

[1911hombre]

Government is already on the hook to pay for vets healthcare, so the question is whether having duplicative services is cheaper or not.
I can't remember any time I've seen non-VA patients blowing their brains out at a regular hospital over the long wait times.

I have never had to wait at the VA clinic I go to longer than 15-20 minutes. Every time I go there I am actually pleasantly surprised at the great service. Also, if you need an appointment, they have to give you one within 14 or 21 days, depending on provider level needed. If they can't, off you go to community care.

 

[lonegunman762x51]

You left out the part where your ex also works there! And she will kill you, twice

That's just a bonus, haha. She'll kill plenty but I won't go near the place while she works there.

She is a shining example of what's wrong at the VA. Who fucking hires an alkie, pothead, convicted child abuser with 4 or 5 bankruptcies and a fake dd214 to "help" veterans?

 

[M8541Reaper]

VHA should not exist in any capacity other than as a central records point and mailing of meds/medical support devices.

VBA should be the entity that verifies your eligibility to be seen via CHOICE (or whatever program they’re using now) and for what types of care you’re eligible for (aka your SCDs).

That’s it.

 

[nagantguy]

I thought that got changed a few years ago, so Vets can go to the hospital of their choice and bill the VA?

The he veterans care choice act is what it was called and in less that one year it was. Defunct- not canceled pre say but most private hospitals that provide care never got paid by uncle sugar for said care .
I still have my “choice care “ card . And it’s worth exactly what the cars stock it’s printed on is worth. Near 0

 

[jb0311]

Im not going to touch on va care quality, as it does vary from place to place (not unlike pvt), but for those of you who are either new to the VA or frustrated navigating the system, go see your county VSO for help. I spent about 10 years navigating the system on my own and wish I had gotten help sooner. Most vets are like me, and decide to struggle through a convoluted system on their own. Doesn’t hurt to ask for help. The VA shouldn’t be so confusing and frustrating for vets to figure out, but it is, so find someone who understands how to navigate it.

 

[EddieNFL]

So far I have one experience with the VA.

The bruise is a blood draw at a private hospital last week. The needle from the VA was gone the next day. I always did have a thing for girls named Roxanne.

 

[Colt45guy]

Funny that this thread popped up. I literally quit my job as a contractor for VA about an hour ago.

(I translated the VA's contractual language into English so the VA Community Care Network providers could understand the requirements. I also conducted training webinars for community providers)

VA CCN exists because when a Veteran needs something that VA can't handle, it gets outsourced. They started doing this when people started bitching about the long wait times and substandard care at a VA facility.

VA reaches out to a community provider, sets up an appointment and then sends out a Standardized Episode of Care, a Consult Order, and a referral that very specifically dictates what will be covered. Any care beyond that SEOC/CO/referral requires VA approval. A Request for Service form is submitted and it's supposed to be approved or denied within 3 business days---some take months. (like the ATF and eForm 4)

Like everything else that the .gov gets it's hands in, the process is confusing and needlessly complex. VA has it's rules and regulations, and the 3rd party administrators have their rules and regulations......and the local doc has to figure out how to wade through all the red tape.

The health care providers that stay in the VA CCN network are (in my opinion) fucking heroes for continuing to treat Veterans despite being underpaid or given the run-around when additional care is required.

 

[jb0311]

The health care providers that stay in the VA CCN network are (in my opinion) fucking heroes for continuing to treat Veterans despite being underpaid or given the run-around when additional care is required.

This^^^

I make sure to let them know it's appreciated. The VA here is so slammed I have literally never even been to an appointment at the Regional Medical Center (Hampton VA). I go to my clinic once a year for my annual but literally everything else is through community care and I have at minimum 1 appointment a week. I also have at least two video appointments a month. I personally think that all improvements and money thrown at the VHA should go to making the CCN as seamless as possible (for both providers and patients). My chiropractors receptionist does a ton of work making sure my referral gets renewed in time. It's always a hassle so make sure to get on the phone to help out as well.

The Hampton CCN has improved as well over the past 6 months. Prior, if I could even get through on their line (often they were too busy for me to even get put on hold), I was waiting for over an hour to speak to someone. If I did the callback option, they let it ring once and hung up, so i could never get through that way. Now i almost always get someone to pickup when i call. Seems trivial for those who aren't used to the VA, but it's huge for us.

I always make sure not to take my frustrations out on the staff. I've had phenomenal physicians and nurses, and i'm sure they hear nonstop bitching about how bad they suck because they work for the VA. I've had bad ones also but those exist in the private sector as well. I couldn't do that job with how i've seen them treated. If they keep getting the brunt of the "VA sucks" attitude, well i'm sure they aren't going to stick around long and we really will be stuck with the ones who can't land anywhere else. The bitching needs directed at the leadership.

The VA is a tricky bitch to navigate, and vets need to put in some leg work or reach out to VSOs for help, or they will get frustrated and not get the care they need. That's not the way it should be, but that's the way it is. I've been using the VA as my sole healthcare for over a decade and I'm still learning how to navigate it, but i'm way better at it now than I was when I got out of the service.

 

[Colt45guy]

I just thought of this, but for any Veteran who's been having trouble navigating through the VA red tape, vacommunitycare.com is open access to the public.

If you click on the Provider/Go To Provider Portal tab, and then click on Training & Guides, you can access all of the informational documents that I wrote to educate the CCN providers.

It's some pretty dry stuff, but the most current info about the Referral process, SEOCs, documentation requirements, general benefits and even the CCN Provider Manual are there.

If anything in that website helps a fellow Veteran, it means that the work I did wasn't time wasted.