Anyone out there who have used the VA as health care, would you recommend them as a primary health care source or get private insurance?

2016-06-02T16:46:25-04:00

Response by TSgt David L. made Jun 2 at 2016 4:49 PM

2016-06-02T16:49:19-04:00

I would recommend them for the primary provider. The only problem is getting the appt. The care, IMO, is good.

Response by MSgt Jonathan Stump made Jun 2 at 2016 5:19 PM

2016-06-02T17:19:13-04:00

If you can get private insurance without costing an arm and a leg, I would have that as a back up. Do you live right next to a VA that has an Emergency Room and is it a trauma center? These are things to think about.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2016 5:28 PM

2016-06-02T17:28:48-04:00

well in my experince with the va, if you have insurance they will bill them first, just to get thier cut of the money even if your service connected, the va has many problems long waiing, for disabillities, treatment and so on, va needs to take care of vets reguardless of insurance, keep sending me bill for meds i take that i'm given for my service connected disabillity, va is so f'd up

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2016 5:31 PM

2016-06-02T17:31:27-04:00

It really depends on what condition I am seeing them for. If it is something related to my service connected conditions I will go to the VA to make sure there is a paper trail in case something gets worse, but for the most part I usually use a civilian provider. The insurance I get through my employer is pretty good. If I do have an issue my doctor is pretty responsive and I can sometimes see him the same day if need be.

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Jun 2 at 2016 6:08 PM

2016-06-02T18:08:20-04:00

I have had excellent care from the VA. A little slow on appointments, but not a lot worse than local private doctors.

Response by LCDR Jim Bowman made Jun 2 at 2016 6:58 PM

2016-06-02T18:58:47-04:00

I have been using the VA for my health care exclusively for the last 4 years. In that time I have experienced world class treatment and professionalism on par with any Doctor or hospital anywhere! This is a benefit you have earned and in my opinion you would be crazy not to use it!

Response by Cpl Chad Perry made Jun 2 at 2016 7:07 PM

2016-06-02T19:07:47-04:00

From what I've seen on other posts like this one is it really depends on which VAMC you go to. Some people have a lot of trouble getting appointments and get horrible care. On the other hand, I get the best care I've ever had at the Minneapolis VAMC.

Response by SSgt Trevor Smith made Jun 2 at 2016 7:31 PM

2016-06-02T19:31:04-04:00

The VA here is awesome. We get pretty quick appointments and good care. Probably the best I've seen personally at a VA. I still go to the base for a lot of things too though.

Response by SGT David Brimmer, MS, MPA made Jun 2 at 2016 7:51 PM

2016-06-02T19:51:27-04:00

CSM Private RallyPoint Member I work at VA doing community outreach and I answer that question almost everyday for vets. I will be doing a VA Town Hall in NJ tomorrow and I expect to get that question from at least one person. What I tell people is this, when at all possible, use VA in conjunction with a second healthcare option. Remember that not everyone gets free services from VA, but no one pays an exorbitant amount either. If you qualify for free services through VA (rated SC 50% or higher is usually the reason), you'd still benefit from having outside coverage for medical emergencies not covered through VA (mostly because they are not related to a service-connected condition).

The truth is that VA will sometimes pay for care that was received outside of the VA healthcare system, but if they don't you are going to be stuck fighting a bunch of medical bills without proper insurance coverage. That is the nightmare that I urge people to consider when they tell me that VA is their only healthcare coverage.

Message me if you want to tell me more about your particular situation and I might be able to help you a little further. I hope this helps, nonetheless.

Response by 1LT Tom Welch made Jun 2 at 2016 8:40 PM

2016-06-02T20:40:58-04:00

i for one will never see the inside of a va clinic or hospital again. i went to the va hospital in Atlanta a couple of years ago to get some paperwork, the first thing i noticed was the smell..of feces. it was and most likely still is a giant anthill that got kicked over. totally ridiculous, way too easy to get lost in the system as they have it. private care if you can afford it is 100% superior in every way to the va. I have had back surgery & lower jaw surgery, went home the same day both times, now im good to go, i work out with weights daily, my back is strong enough after the operation to allow me to do bent over barbell rows with 250 lbs. 3x10, 2 times a week, i dont believe i would have walked ever again had the va been involved. just my opinion, the va sucks out loud.

Response by SGT Paul Mackay made Jun 2 at 2016 10:09 PM

2016-06-02T22:09:53-04:00

primary health care

Response by SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT made Jun 2 at 2016 10:54 PM

2016-06-02T22:54:10-04:00

CSM Private RallyPoint Member LTC Stephen F. CPT Walt Tollefson TSgt Hunter Logan I have had both good and not so good experiences with the VA system. So I am very glad that I also have TRICARE for second opinions and help in getting the VA to recognize various important medical problems resulting from my military service.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2016 11:18 PM

2016-06-02T23:18:28-04:00

Every time I answer a question about the VA, I mention that I have received care at four different Midwest VAMCs, and my care and followup was and remains excellent. Then someone says I surely didn't receive treatment at so and so facility. What can I say? I'm on Medicare and TriCare For Life. I will ALWAYS use my VA facilities as either backup or my primary care treatment center, until something internal changes my ability to do that or my opinion alters dramatically.

Response by SPC Kirk Gilles made Jun 2 at 2016 11:35 PM

2016-06-02T23:35:16-04:00

I have Blue Shield Primary with VA backup.
I had an emergency and claimed VA at a regular hospital ER.
The outcome of whether I am covered is still being hashed out for over one year.
If your VA hospital is very close then VA is great and free. If it's not then you will be in a bind going to regular facilities. VA has strict rules and fine print on that. So, if I can go to VA hospital I would. That avoids the deductibles from Blue Shield. Also, VA Rx is like $6.00 for everything!

Response by SPC James White made Jun 3 at 2016 2:08 AM

2016-06-03T02:08:57-04:00

Permit me to share..The VHA has three (3) Nobel Prizes in science, medicine...and my hospital down the street from me has 300 lawsuits pending...I am also a Fire Dept. NERT, certified responder (volunteer program) The SFFD has a Veterans Assn, and the paramedics, SFFD, who in my humble opinion know far better than most think. They smiled a relief smile when I said ," take me to the VHA"

..Sometimes folks tend to critique the Benefits side WITH the medicine side..I try not to..each is a separate critique. The VHA is medicine, the VBA is administration, claims, paper. Now since my ETS in 1977...most of my generation of Vets are seeing ever the improvement in medicine, service etc. The paper chase, the claims, well..thats a seperate issue..yet slowly and with OIG taking the battle on..improvements are assured. That's my thinking..If you need it, medicine, take time to know your Doc's, Nurses, social workers..they could have gone to civilian-hospitals, yet choose us, the Vets. Salutes sir, hope its not serious a medical issue for ya. jpw, SF,Ca.

Response by CPL Daniel Schwinge made Jun 3 at 2016 12:01 PM

2016-06-03T12:01:36-04:00

If you can afford private insurance do it. In the VA system you can not choose your health care providers. Even using the Veterans Choice Program, the VA still chooses who you see, because only a few doctors will accept what the VA are willing to pay. Civilian insurance has somewhat of the same restrictions only being able to see in network doctors, but you can still choose.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 3 at 2016 12:07 PM

2016-06-03T12:07:22-04:00

CSM Private RallyPoint Member I have been using the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center system as my only medical healthcare system for 3 years now. I have not been in apposition to obtain private health insurance since I was terminated after 20 years of service when the Affordable Care Act was being rolled out. The VA medical system is a means-tested system which means if you can afford to pay you will be billed proportionately to your income.
I would strongly recommend the VA for orthopedic, rehabilitative therapy, dermatology, ophthalmology, and gastroenterology. My primary care physician is excellent.
The only area where I have seen significantly better is the cardio and pulmonary clinics.
Disclaimer: I was initially rated at 60% by the VA for my heart.
Thank for tagging me SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT

Response by SSG Wayne NeSmith made Jun 3 at 2016 1:18 PM

2016-06-03T13:18:00-04:00

I've been using the VA since I retired in 1999. Three different VAs and have to say that I feel I've had the best care. My wife, who is also a veteran but not service connected and make to much money to be seen at the VA, uses Tricare and we have way more complaints about her care.

Response by SSG Jim Johnson made Jun 29 at 2016 9:33 AM

2016-06-29T09:33:14-04:00

MSG, I have used Veteran Care and I think in most instances it is ok. Be very careful if you have other insurance or if what you are using them for is not service connected. They will charge you or your insurance triple what another health Care provider would charge. I learned this the hardway by going to the VA for a Service Connected issue and the Doc asked me if I had a flu shot lately. She also wanted me to have blood work done, since it had been a long time since my last time. I did and they charged my wife's insurance $2600.00. I went in and complained and they took out a Veterans Law that said it was legal and I had no recourse but to pay it. If I were you, I would try to use anyone else for non service connected issues!! Hope this helps!!! SSG Johnson Infantry (retired)

Response by SrA Billy Womack made Aug 1 at 2016 6:43 PM

2016-08-01T18:43:16-04:00

I work for myself and since I have the VA to lean on I didn't opt to get personal insurance and because I rarely use it but when I do need it the VA is Awesome and take excellent care of me. It has worked out Great it you don't need much! Best of Luck

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Aug 11 at 2016 1:18 PM

2016-08-11T13:18:09-04:00

CSM Private RallyPoint Member there are a lot of criteria that go into answering that and every case is different. Are you asking for yourself or for someone else?

Please PM me and I can try to help you...

Response by CPL Gerald Fredrick made May 9 at 2019 1:09 AM

2019-05-09T01:09:47-04:00

They are not perfect but they do try. Definitely support VA

Response by MAJ Bruce Davie made Mar 8 at 2020 5:01 PM

2020-03-08T17:01:08-04:00

VA 100%. I have all of my outpatient & surgeries at Milwaukee, WI. Great results. Our VA has partnered with Medical College of WI & Froedert Medical Hospital. We get the best care from seasoned civilian Drs., from many different specialties. Hope yours are as good.