Anyone else having problems with MEDDAC at Fort Carson?

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 00:36:26 -0400

My wife and I came to Fort Carson after a little over 3 years at Fort Drum.

She has a LONG list of health issues, anywhere from a Heart attack, to Cancer and 4 other things in between.

Guthrie at Drum was phenomenal, EFMP was top notch, she had expedite access to an internist who in turn referred her to the specialists she needed right away.

Now, we've been in Carson since January, and we are served by the infamous Evans Army Hospital.

Her EFMP expired in March, and we've been trying since then to get it renewed/reinstated. As of this morning, her paperwork has finally been received after her PCM had her see him countless times, the front desk personnel loosing her paperwork twice, countless deferrals because her PCM was either on leave or attending some conference or military mandatory training, etc.

5 months to get EFMP renewed...for a patient like my wife with Cancer, a history of heart conditions and a recent heart attack, hypertension, thrombophlebitis, and thanks to Carson's elevation...a resurgence of asthma and a reduced lung capacity.

For some reason her PCM (a PA) will not switch her to Internal Medicine as suggested by Patient Advocate and her Heart Doctor.

That's another thing...Patient Advocate...the woman I spoke to was adamant about getting the ball going and resolving my wife's issues...this was 2 weeks ago and she promised to call the next day...again, 2 weeks ago and we haven't heard from her since.

Me...I have a service related knee injury, had surgery performed last August. Still in Therapy.

My PCM, which is the BN Flight Surgeon, has a waiting list of almost a month for anything. I am past due my over 40 physical. I am having sleeping problems, PTSD related anger issues, back and neck pain, my left arm is starting to feel tingly and numb at times, headaches thanks to my 2 concussions while in Afghaniland, etc.

All of this reported during my last PHA...yet still no visits or referrals, the best I get is a 20 minute talkathon session and promises of a future visit...in about a month while not one of my issues is being taken care of.
According to TRICARE, I am listed as being a member of a different unit so my "record" PCM is a doctor I have never seen. Not only that, during my last PHA a couple of weeks ago...I was told that I am retired. Yes, they even showed me the screen where I am listed as an E5 Retired. Incredible.

My wife and myself are entitled to prompt and effective healthcare, and we are getting none of it.

Obviously Patient Advocate is useless and unwilling. What's my next recourse?

JAG? Letter to my congressperson?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 2 at 2015 10:44 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 10:44:18 -0400

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA I have not been stationed at Fort carson so I never experienced a problem there. I recommend you tag some of the activities at Fort Carson including 4th ID and the MED COM. I typed Fort Carson in the search bar and got a number of units

Response by SGT Sean Sullenger made Sep 2 at 2015 8:52 PM

SGT Sean Sullenger — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 20:52:17 -0400

Just get loud, they will do better.

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 2 at 2015 8:57 PM

SGT Scott Bell — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 20:57:57 -0400

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 2 at 2015 9:16 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 21:16:00 -0400

Both of my boys were born at Evans in 2001 and 2002 and I was absolutely impressed. That being said, I'm sure the staff has changed 3-4 times by now. Your wife sounds like an extremely complex case and needs a case manager for all those issues. Prayers from Tucson, brother.

I haven't made any contacts with the Carson MEDAC so it's time to call out the big gunz. SSG Robert Burns do you have the dirt on anyone at Carson that you can blackmail? (lol?)

https://www.rallypoint.com/units/carson-meddac-fort-carson-medical-department-activity-fort-carson-co/current

Fort Carson Medical Department Activity (Carson MEDDAC), Western Regional Medical Command members...

Find Fort Carson Medical Department Activity (Carson MEDDAC) members on RallyPoint.

Response by LTC Mo Vanderslice made Sep 3 at 2015 10:17 AM

LTC Mo Vanderslice — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 10:17:39 -0400

Recommend trying CG and CSM of Ft Carson on their open door policy prior to wasting your time writing to a congressman who is beginning their re-election cycle. Good luck getting your wife what she needs, I'll be praying for the two of you. Regards, Mo