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 VA Clinic Experience (currently 1 views) |
| Jim Armstrong |
| Posted on: October 18th, 2013, 4:50pm |
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Posts: 203
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I have been going to VA clinics for 10 years or so.
Some appointments have been in the small local one (Ukiah, CA), some in a larger one (Santa Rosa, a little over an hour off) and some in the big one (San Francisco, about three hours away).
These encounters, maybe 30 or so, have never ONCE been accomplished without some screwup, some minor, some major and a few really scary.
Along the way I have had too many primary care doctors to count.
This week I called the local clinic to find out which of always varying flu shot scenarios they were using this year.
"Come on in, no appointmnet necessary, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 1 to 4."
Got there at 2:45, checked in and was told I would be called.
There was one other vet in the lobby and at least seven staff going this way and that with no purpose I could tell.
There is a sign that says to check back if not seen in 15 minutes.
At 3:05, I told the guy who had checked me in that I was out of time and had to go.
"Oh no," he says, "maybe they are ready for you. What is your name and last four." I was the only guy there by then and he had been watching me walk back and forth the whole time.
After scurrying to the back of the clinic (protected by a security pad thing), he comes back in two or three minutes and reluctantly tells me I can go.
So I am off, behind in my afternoon schedule, with no flu shot and the feeling they probably put down that I got one.
I feel like Charley Brown when Lucy pulls the football back every year. I should have known it would not go smoothly.
The main reason they always screw up (and this one is very minor) is that the staff are there for themselves, not for the veterans they are supposed to serve.
Anyone else get that feeling? |
Jim Armstrong
C, HQ, A 2/1
1965-1967 |
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| Jim Gray |
| Posted on: October 18th, 2013, 9:28pm |
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Big Member Sept 67-Sept 68 D 3/21 and HHC
Posts: 87
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Jim i go to one in Bradenton Fl or Bay Pines Va Hospital in St Petersburg Fl.
Both do extremely well. Never a problem at all. Most of the empolyees are retired vets |
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Reply: 1 - 33 |
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| Bob Kotch |
| Posted on: November 7th, 2013, 7:32pm |
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Posts: 187
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| Jim, my experience, overall, has been pretty good. I go to the local clinic in Sarasota and the workers are vol. and are mostly retired vets. They try to get you where you are supposed to be and out in a timely manner. They recently installed a system where they swipe your VA card at check in and it pulls up your appointment schedule so they know exactly who you are to see and when. It seems to help. |
HHC, MP Plt. 9-67 through 9-68 |
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Reply: 2 - 33 |
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| Frenchie |
| Posted on: November 14th, 2013, 10:36pm |
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Maximum Member2 LIke to hear from anyone that was Co C 4/31
Posts: 407
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Didnt want to start a new thread since it is related..
I usually am treated very well at the VA Hospital ... however, the audiologist could use some counseling about his "ATTITUDE"...im guessing he has had bad experiences with some of our guys...and he is a jerk most of the time when i see him but wth i can tolerate him for the visit.
Few months ago i filed a claim for Diabetes II...im doing well without medication...i lost about 30 pounds and the doctor got so excited she called me at home....i guessing she was shocked....i usually get my "we are working on your claim" letter monthly(?)....last week i got a letter to show up at the VA Hosp for today at 8 30am and if i didnt show up processing of my claim would be stopped.......and hey b ring your presciption meds and your over the counter meds....so i get down there with a 2 pound bag of meds and its that heavy because my over the counter meds are from Costco...BIG ...show up at the office , they send me back down for blood and urine tests...i go back up....doctors is there promptly...never looked at my bag...they never do but i know the day i dont take them theyll ask about them!!!! so i take them each time like a good boy..
Doctor sees me and states....Ok, you have Diabetes II and you can go now"".........thats it? yup...i guess the VA wanted someone to "verify" my diabetes....that was IT...no questions, just blood and urine samples taken/given..and the doctor making his statement. The doctor also was impressed by my test number and improvment...im beginning to think they dont see improvments often enough....
in a few days ill probably look up my test results on the computer and in a few weeks/months theyll tell me my claim was approved....
Life is great
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Frenchie - Gilbert E Manasselian
C 4/31 Feb 68 to Feb 69
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| Jim Gray |
| Posted on: November 14th, 2013, 11:34pm |
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Big Member Sept 67-Sept 68 D 3/21 and HHC
Posts: 87
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Well Frenchie, I guess that is good news. Better news would be;
It's a miracle. You do not have diabetes II |
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Reply: 4 - 33 |
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| Frenchie |
| Posted on: November 15th, 2013, 1:05am |
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Maximum Member2 LIke to hear from anyone that was Co C 4/31
Posts: 407
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| No kiddin.....if you have diabetes II eating is dull....NO bread and bagels etc, NO ice cream, NO pasta, NO fast foods, NO pizza ... i forget the rest of the list...but you get the jest of it. Once a week i eat whatever i want....for one meal...not all day. |
Frenchie - Gilbert E Manasselian
C 4/31 Feb 68 to Feb 69
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Reply: 5 - 33 |
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| Bob Kotch |
| Posted on: November 15th, 2013, 8:41pm |
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Posts: 187
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| Frenchie, hopefully your claim will be approved in a couple weeks and not months. The Doc verified it, so it should be granted quickly, you would think. But, we know how VA works! Eating must be dull if you can't have all that good stuff. What the heck is left, salads and fish? Anyway, stick with it! |
HHC, MP Plt. 9-67 through 9-68 |
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Reply: 6 - 33 |
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| Frenchie |
| Posted on: November 17th, 2013, 6:29pm |
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Maximum Member2 LIke to hear from anyone that was Co C 4/31
Posts: 407
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Quoted from Bob Kotch, posted November 15th, 2013, 8:41pm at hereFrenchie, hopefully your claim will be approved in a couple weeks and not months. The Doc verified it, so it should be granted quickly, you would think. But, we know how VA works! Eating must be dull if you can't have all that good stuff. What the heck is left, salads and fish? Anyway, stick with it! |
yea, the age old question is......do we live to eat or do we eat to live :) ???? yea eating is not very exciting nowadays but im used to it....lots of filler like salads and fruit which i always had before all this came up....as far as how long will i get an approval? im sure i will be approved and if i get it before xmas ill be a happy camper but id rather have no diabetes and no compensation (wont be much...10%?)...
now the question is....if i already have a 40% disability and they add 10% for diabetes II , is that going to add up to 50% or will it be less due to fuzzy math by the VA?
They already did the fuzzy math on me...with my PTSD and Hearing loss/Tinnitus
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Frenchie - Gilbert E Manasselian
C 4/31 Feb 68 to Feb 69
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Reply: 7 - 33 |
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| aab3340 |
| Posted on: November 19th, 2013, 3:59am |
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Frenchie
By my calculations if you are at 40% and they give you another 10% , that will give you 50% total (10% of the remaining 60% is 6 which rounds to 10) On the other hand if they give you 20% that will still give you 50% total (20% of the remaining 60% is 12 which rounds to 10). Hope that helps. |
Bob Poznanski
HHC 196th. MP Plt.
1965-1967 |
| Revision History (1 edits) |
| aab3340 - November 19th, 2013, 3:59am | | |
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Reply: 8 - 33 |
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| Frenchie |
| Posted on: November 19th, 2013, 4:11am |
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Maximum Member2 LIke to hear from anyone that was Co C 4/31
Posts: 407
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in looking it up on the internet, i foresee 10% since im not on medication for Diabetes II.
I will be surprised if somehow i get to 50 but i can always hope eh? :)
Thanks Bob.
PS sounds like you have the VA fuzzy math down pretty good.....ill take your numbers:) |
Frenchie - Gilbert E Manasselian
C 4/31 Feb 68 to Feb 69
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Reply: 9 - 33 |
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| Gregory B Peters |
| Posted on: November 29th, 2013, 4:08pm |
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Maximum Member2 B company, 3/21/196th, incountry 07/1966-07/1967
Posts: 173
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| Hi All, I had read somewhere the if you went to the VA hospital with your dd-214 they would do a picture ID for you in order to show at stores and such giving discounts to veterans. So last friday I went to our regional VA center and They don't provide this courtesy unless you have enrolled and found eligible for VA benefits. |
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| Jim Armstrong |
| Posted on: November 29th, 2013, 4:25pm |
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My local county Veterans Service Office makes up a picture ID on the spot that is accepted at dozens of local businesses for discounts of 10% or more.
I didn't hear anything about eligibility for benefits or any other qualifying criteria.
I have to say I like it!
I am sure that they would share the process with any other county or whatever office to get one going. |
Jim Armstrong
C, HQ, A 2/1
1965-1967 |
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| Bob Kotch |
| Posted on: November 30th, 2013, 6:28pm |
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Posts: 187
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| Greg, you should have been issued a VA card with your picture. If you showed them your DD-214 and it shows your Nam service, you are automatically eligible for the card and VA benefits at priority 6. You have to fill out some paper work and then they take your picture and give you the card while you are there. I did it a couple years ago at the Bay Pines VA Center in St. Petersberg. I use my card at Lowe's a lot. Just ask for a military discount and you get an additional 10% off. Give it another try. Good luck! |
HHC, MP Plt. 9-67 through 9-68 |
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Reply: 12 - 33 |
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| Ken McKenzie, C, 4-31 |
| Posted on: December 11th, 2013, 2:09am |
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Posts: 131
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Greg,
Anyone that served in Vietnam is eligible to register with the VA. You are also presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange. You should go to the nearest VA Medical Center or clinic and tell them you want to be put on the Agent Orange Registry and schedule a FREE health exam as part of the Agent Orange screening.
When you register with the VA health system, you will receive a photo ID card. |
Ken McKenzie
C-4/31, 196th LIB, 1965-1967
C-1/5(MECH), 25thID, 1967 |
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| Jim Gray |
| Posted on: February 8th, 2014, 11:34pm |
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Big Member Sept 67-Sept 68 D 3/21 and HHC
Posts: 87
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I went to the Bay Pines VA hospital last month for my annual dermatology appointment. Nothing found. Good for me.
On Friday the 31st of Jan i get a check from the Dept of Treasury for $134. and change. On the check it stated see enclosed letter. All that was there was my name and address. I have no idea why i got it. I now have Medicare. I am wondering is this maybe what Medicare paid? I have never applied for travel because my income exceeds the minimum allowed. Any one have any ideas?
By the way i am not complaining just trying to get an answer |
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| Frenchie |
| Posted on: February 9th, 2014, 12:49am |
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Maximum Member2 LIke to hear from anyone that was Co C 4/31
Posts: 407
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been on medicare a couple years, i ve never received a check from VA other than "normal" stuff.
If it was me id call the toll free number and ask them |
Frenchie - Gilbert E Manasselian
C 4/31 Feb 68 to Feb 69
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| Bob Kotch |
| Posted on: February 9th, 2014, 6:00pm |
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Posts: 187
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| I've been on medicare a couple years now. Never got a check from VA. Every year after the lab work and annual check up I get a small bill and have to send them a check. |
HHC, MP Plt. 9-67 through 9-68 |
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| Jim Gray |
| Posted on: February 18th, 2014, 9:50pm |
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Big Member Sept 67-Sept 68 D 3/21 and HHC
Posts: 87
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I contacted the VA at Bay Pines. They could not tell me anything.
Today a get a bill from the VA for dermatology and out patient. It is a detailed bill. Some how they made a mistake when someone else paid and it went to my account. So they issued an over payment refund. Wonder how long, if ever will it take them to figure this out? |
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| Jim Armstrong |
| Posted on: May 19th, 2015, 4:31pm |
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Posts: 203
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In early February I asked my primary care doctor if I should worry about a couple of spots on my old hide.
Oh, I'm not a specialist she said, I'll give you a referral; get an appointment at the front desk when you leave.
That appointment with a "dermatologist" was two months off in early April, but at least was at the local clinic.
The day before that appt I got a call that the "dermatologist" was ill and I needed to reschedule.
The appt was mid-May. Has anyone heard of the 30 day rule?
The day before that appt, I got a call that it was cancelled since they decided to drop that service and I would have to go to San Francisco (6 hours roound trip) for a new appt.
Besides now being three months since my VA doctor referred me, it turned out that the "dermatologist" was not really and all he would have done is take pictures of any suspect spots and send them to SF for evaluation and for treatment there if necessary.
I am discussing this with a VA patient representative and with my Congressman's office. |
Jim Armstrong
C, HQ, A 2/1
1965-1967 |
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| Bob Kotch |
| Posted on: May 22nd, 2015, 1:39pm |
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Posts: 187
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| Jim, hopefully your VA patient rep. & Congressman will speed things up. It's been a long time since February when you first bought it to their attention. This should have been taken care of a long time ago! Good luck and let us know how you make out. |
HHC, MP Plt. 9-67 through 9-68 |
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| Frenchie |
| Posted on: May 22nd, 2015, 6:38pm |
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Maximum Member2 LIke to hear from anyone that was Co C 4/31
Posts: 407
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Jim , i retired from the GOv and i want to share that whenever someone went to their elected officials, they went to the front of the line in our office and well trained employees responded to the Congressmen and things got done pronto.
Your issue will get resolved. |
Frenchie - Gilbert E Manasselian
C 4/31 Feb 68 to Feb 69
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| Jim Armstrong |
| Posted on: June 2nd, 2015, 12:11am |
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Posts: 203
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With a four month delay from the referral from my primary care doctor (now gone from the VA), I thought I might come under the new Veterans Choice Program.
So far that approach to timely care doesn't seem to work any better than the old way.
Any one have some experience with the Card? |
Jim Armstrong
C, HQ, A 2/1
1965-1967 |
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| Gregory B Peters |
| Posted on: June 6th, 2015, 3:18pm |
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Maximum Member2 B company, 3/21/196th, incountry 07/1966-07/1967
Posts: 173
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Jim, see below. I think you are caught in a catch-22. You are trying to get an appointment to determine if your condition is covered by the VA. As you are finding out this takes forever. Care Cards are only for those who already have a VA approved need, but can't get a VA appointment in a timely manner, thirty days. If you used your Care Card at a local dermatologist they will submit the bill to the VA, who will deny it because they didn't approve it. And then the local clinic will send the bill to you. Clear as mud????
"Care in the community is only covered by VA for medical needs which have been approved by your VA physician. We can happily schedule an appointment for other medical needs, but the we can only cover the cost of care related to your VA-approved health needs." |
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| Jim Armstrong |
| Posted on: June 6th, 2015, 4:18pm |
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Posts: 203
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Greg: Thanks for the reply.
I requested a referral to the Choice program on first hearing that the appointment for the care prescribed by my primary VA doctor was well over a month away.
In the typical way this program is being (mis)handled, I was told I lived within 40 miles of the clinic and so did not qualify. Not at all related to the problem, just the same decades old arrogance and self-serving BS of the VA.
They are resisting the Choice program in both the letter and spirit of the law.
VA Watchdog has some pertinent information that parallels my experience.
MacDonald is probably worse than Shinseki, who was just incompetent. |
Jim Armstrong
C, HQ, A 2/1
1965-1967 |
| Revision History (2 edits) |
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| Jim Armstrong |
| Posted on: June 20th, 2015, 4:43pm |
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Posts: 203
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Four full months now since my referral and no resolution.
Something for all to think about: If you do get an appointment where the Choice program is supposed to pay, LOOK OUT.
If you make the mistake of showing your Medicare card at the the doctor's office, the whole deal is off, with you paying the deductable, the copay and the prescriptions.
Great deal, eh? |
Jim Armstrong
C, HQ, A 2/1
1965-1967 |
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| Frenchie |
| Posted on: June 20th, 2015, 10:06pm |
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Maximum Member2 LIke to hear from anyone that was Co C 4/31
Posts: 407
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Hey Jim:
maybe this has been previously mentioned and if it has....ignore my reply
Perhaps its time to contact your local (US) rep and asked them if this (your experience) is the NEW VA ....whatever it is they are doing, it is not working.
Too many wars at the same time without increase in Medical Personel(?).
Good luck
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Frenchie - Gilbert E Manasselian
C 4/31 Feb 68 to Feb 69
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| Jim Armstrong |
| Posted on: August 23rd, 2015, 4:26pm |
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Posts: 203
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I got a letter yesterday that may signal a really significant change in the VA Choice program.
Starting off with a demand that I schedule an appointment 3 hours away in San Francisco for a Cat Scan, if finished with a big OR.
OR, if I live more than 40 miles from the SF VA Clinic, I could contact the Choice program to have the procedure done locally.
This changes the whole program from 40 miles to the nearest VA clinic to 40 miles from the VA Clinic that can provide a needed medical service.
As far as I can find, this change has not been generall announced |
Jim Armstrong
C, HQ, A 2/1
1965-1967 |
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| Jim Armstrong |
| Posted on: October 27th, 2015, 5:20pm |
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Posts: 203
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The Veterans Choice program. at least in my experience, has turned out to be useless and a total insult to veterans.
My request for its services began in early February.
I was informed last week that I could contact the program (run by an outfit called Tri West, not the VA) to get a local appointmnent.
This was EIGHT MONTHS from the time the VA violated the 30 day rule!
A short versiion of that contact:
The mystery person one talks to at TriWest tells you that they choose the doctor you will see in your community, she will choose when you will see them and she will make the appointment you have to keep.
Then she chose a doctor that retired almost five years ago.
Then she told me the doctor I had seen before and preferred would not accept Choice payments.
Then she offered another doctor 60 miles away.
When I told her I no longer needed an initial exam appointment, but minor surgery, she told me she knew what she was doing.
The next morning another worker called to tell me they had made an appointment for me with the doctor who "would not" take payment.
The person called me cold and started the conversation with demanding I give her my full name. date of birth and SS Number or she would not discuss my appointment!
It turned out she had scheduled an appointmnent on a day when the surgery (a MOHS dermatology procedure) was not available and I had to cancel it with the doctor's office.
So I am basically where I started in February. |
Jim Armstrong
C, HQ, A 2/1
1965-1967 |
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Reply: 27 - 33 |
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| Frenchie |
| Posted on: October 27th, 2015, 6:52pm |
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Maximum Member2 LIke to hear from anyone that was Co C 4/31
Posts: 407
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Jim , youre a very patient man.
Immediately contact your US Senator and or Congressman....i believe you will get a satisfactory response.
Let us know. |
Frenchie - Gilbert E Manasselian
C 4/31 Feb 68 to Feb 69
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| Gregory B Peters |
| Posted on: November 7th, 2015, 5:09pm |
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Maximum Member2 B company, 3/21/196th, incountry 07/1966-07/1967
Posts: 173
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. Veterans Affairs Reports Lowest Backlogged Disability Claims Since 2007
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently reported the lowest number of backlogged disability claims since record keeping began in 2007. The VA defines a claim as backlogged after it has awaited a decision for more than 125 days. The backlog is currently at 98,000 veterans which is an 84% drop from the backlog peak in March 2013.
Since 2012 the VA administration has been working to reduce the backlogged claims. The administration has been hiring new employees, as well as enforcing mandatory overtime for current staff. The VA has also made a considerable push to digitize records instead of relying on paper files. This is great news for veterans with disabilities who have been going without highly needed benefits for extended periods. While the backlog has decreased, the number of veterans who have appealed the VA's decision on their claims has held steady, a problem that remains to be addressed.
Full Story: Ben Kesling, VA's Backlog of Disability Claims Falls to 8-Year Low, Wall Street Journal, Aug. 24, 2015, available at
http://www.wsj.com/articles/va.....705#livefyre-comment |
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| Frenchie |
| Posted on: November 7th, 2015, 5:17pm |
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Maximum Member2 LIke to hear from anyone that was Co C 4/31
Posts: 407
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Ill take Jim Armstrong personal experience over a newspaper article. Just recently i heard the opposite of what youre saying.....
Youre not serious are you? |
Frenchie - Gilbert E Manasselian
C 4/31 Feb 68 to Feb 69
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| Jim Armstrong |
| Posted on: November 7th, 2015, 5:44pm |
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Posts: 203
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Frenchie:
The subject of Greg's post is different from the ongoing problems I am having with the Veterans Choice Program.
The backlog of various claims, though still way too big, has been improving of late.
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Jim Armstrong
C, HQ, A 2/1
1965-1967 |
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Reply: 31 - 33 |
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| Frenchie |
| Posted on: November 7th, 2015, 5:47pm |
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Maximum Member2 LIke to hear from anyone that was Co C 4/31
Posts: 407
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| my confusion..........sorry Greg and thank you Jim for clarifying his post for me |
Frenchie - Gilbert E Manasselian
C 4/31 Feb 68 to Feb 69
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| Jim Armstrong |
| Posted on: November 19th, 2015, 4:59pm |
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Posts: 203
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As stated above, last Ferbruary I expressed concern about some skin lesions to my VA primary care doctor.
This was a little over 9 months ago and yesterday I had Mohs surgery to remove a basal cell carcinoma from my temple.
The entire time in between was spent trying convince the VA that I was eligible for this care in my community due to delays and distance.
Veterans Choice and TriWest put up road block after BS but, if my doctor and I are lucky, will pay for the surgery.
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Jim Armstrong
C, HQ, A 2/1
1965-1967 |
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