A reminder letter is sent for every appointment at the VA; how many reminder letters are too many?

Maj Kim Patterson — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 03:34:16 -0400

I go to my mailbox and mixed in with the junk are several reminder letters from the VA. They get put in a pile and are rarely opened so I see this as a huge waste of money on paper and postage and a potential contributor for people who have hoarding problems, brain injuries without the ability to prioritize and those who let their mail pile up before they retrieve it. The letters are sent with a letter to help the VA save $ by keeping your appointments. Do you open your letters or let them pile up? Is this a waste of VA funds?

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Aug 21 at 2015 3:44 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 03:44:03 -0400

Definitely sounds like a waste on money to Maj Kim Patterson --- especially in this age of electronic communication.

Response by PO3 Jeff Hawkins made Aug 21 at 2015 3:49 AM

PO3 Jeff Hawkins — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 03:49:47 -0400

I don't go to the va for health care but as a busy father and husband I have frequently forgotten appts for my children, myself and my aging father and greatly appreciate the calls to remind me that I have an appt. tomorrow at 0930...I would bet that missed appts, cost more money than then letters or calls as reminders.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Aug 21 at 2015 3:52 AM

SSgt Terry P. — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 03:52:44 -0400

Since i usually get a call 24 hours before the appointment --seems a real waste.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 21 at 2015 5:02 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 05:02:56 -0400

It's typical government inefficiency and waste

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 21 at 2015 5:03 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 05:03:37 -0400

Booze and guns. Nothing could go wrong with this concept.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Aug 21 at 2015 7:30 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 07:30:42 -0400

It does sound, indeed, like a huge waste of paper; Maj Kim Patterson.
I usually know when my appointments are; but not always. The VA could just as easily send e-mail reminders; so that paper won't be wasted. The VA, and all of us, would thus be saving trees; and helping the environment.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 7:41 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 07:41:27 -0400

Maj Kim Patterson I think these letters are a waste of the resources on multiple levels.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 9:59 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 09:59:34 -0400

I think it is a waste of funds. At the very least you should be able to opt out of it and receive email reminders only.

Response by SGT Anthony Rossi made Aug 21 at 2015 10:06 AM

SGT Anthony Rossi — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 10:06:22 -0400

The phone call the day before is still the best method. The letter, I agree, are a waste of time. Email also would be less effective for many vets who don't use the internet, or for those like me who are likely to think it's junk mail.

Response by SSG Ricardo Marcial made Aug 21 at 2015 10:07 AM

SSG Ricardo Marcial — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 10:07:55 -0400

It does not help when you call to make an appointment, your receive a call from the department you need to see weeks later, and they schedule an appointment 4 months later. By the time I receive this letter, and yes they go right to the shredder, I don't care to open it, I have either gone to the ER for treatment, or just "sucked it up" and continued with my life.

I now have my own medical insurance and will never step back into a VA hospital for care again. They will save the stamp and envelope for someone else.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Aug 21 at 2015 11:05 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 11:05:13 -0400

They also send a robocall. Yet - people still miss their appointments...

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Aug 21 at 2015 11:07 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 11:07:28 -0400

Maj Kim Patterson I Circle File them.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Aug 21 at 2015 11:12 AM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 11:12:58 -0400

LOL! I have told people that I will never truly be lonely because I get LOADS of mail from VA. It is a waste IMHO. Especially with cellphones/email/etc!

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Aug 21 at 2015 7:18 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 19:18:04 -0400

I only open the ones for the first reminder. What pisses me off is when they cancelled my appoint then rescheduled. Their way of contacting me was a letter. So When I called to double check my appoint time morning of. I find out I did not have one. They said we sent you a letter. What happen to a phone call? I

Response by SSG Keven Lahde made Aug 22 at 2015 7:50 PM

SSG Keven Lahde — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 19:50:02 -0400

Maj Kim Patterson Ma 'am I agree its a waste of money. In today's electronic world, VA usually calls 24-48 hours in advance. You can also check out appointment times on https://www.myhealth.va.gov CW5 Charlie Poulton Chief receiving a text message is an awesome idea. Originally being from MN, I might have to bring that idea here in NV.

Response by SrA John Monette made Aug 26 at 2015 6:10 AM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 06:10:00 -0400

when I lived in NC, I always got appointment letters. since moving to Connecticut, I rarely get them. seems to me that it depends on what medical center you utilize.