Posted on Nov 8, 2015
Are you part of the 10% who has to wait over 30 days to see your doc?
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http://www.press.org/news-multimedia/news/va-secretary-mcdonald-touts-reforms-hes-implemented-during-press-club-luncheon
I can't seem to shake the old axiom that there are 3 sides to every story, his side, her side and then the truth. While touting the number of hires, he fails to address or correlate the number of "resignations." When he asserts almost 2300 employees terminated, some if not many of us interpret "terminate" as a forced action, an implication VA seems to relish in as an accomplishment. What this article doesn't seem to capture is that at this same event, he's beginning to challenge the need to provide care to veterans who have Medicare. These veterans can obtain care on the outside. A dramatic shift of VA policy that was established in the 80's, when Dr. Kizer, then Undersecretary for Health at VA fought to expand eligibility so that VA can treat the related health issues affecting the service connected conditions, to what we now know as Primary Care. What isn't highlighted in shifting these veterans to seek Medicare treatment is that under Medicare there is a co-pay. At this event, a knee replacement was referenced, where a veteran pays no co-pay in VA, there is a $5,000 co-pay under Medicare. Slippery slope if the movement is to push Medicare eligible veterans into the private sector. And let's not overlook the fact that as young veterans have little to no experience with Medicare, the prospect VA is hoping to change with these veterans' voices will haunt them once they become Medicare eligible. (Disclaimer: I am not Medicare eligible and won't be for maybe 7 years or so) Also, please don't misunderstand, there has been much done in the past few years, some happened naturally (evolution of the funding/grant program) and some were forced by legislation. Let's not fall into a false sense of significant improvement based on the "party" line he is preaching. Notice he references since 2010, he wasn't in charge in 2010. Some of VA accomplishments he highlights are things that were done well before his tenure. For example, Shingles vaccine was approved in 2006 and VA doesn't seem to even get a by-line for assisting in the development of this vaccine.
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I can't seem to shake the old axiom that there are 3 sides to every story, his side, her side and then the truth. While touting the number of hires, he fails to address or correlate the number of "resignations." When he asserts almost 2300 employees terminated, some if not many of us interpret "terminate" as a forced action, an implication VA seems to relish in as an accomplishment. What this article doesn't seem to capture is that at this same event, he's beginning to challenge the need to provide care to veterans who have Medicare. These veterans can obtain care on the outside. A dramatic shift of VA policy that was established in the 80's, when Dr. Kizer, then Undersecretary for Health at VA fought to expand eligibility so that VA can treat the related health issues affecting the service connected conditions, to what we now know as Primary Care. What isn't highlighted in shifting these veterans to seek Medicare treatment is that under Medicare there is a co-pay. At this event, a knee replacement was referenced, where a veteran pays no co-pay in VA, there is a $5,000 co-pay under Medicare. Slippery slope if the movement is to push Medicare eligible veterans into the private sector. And let's not overlook the fact that as young veterans have little to no experience with Medicare, the prospect VA is hoping to change with these veterans' voices will haunt them once they become Medicare eligible. (Disclaimer: I am not Medicare eligible and won't be for maybe 7 years or so) Also, please don't misunderstand, there has been much done in the past few years, some happened naturally (evolution of the funding/grant program) and some were forced by legislation. Let's not fall into a false sense of significant improvement based on the "party" line he is preaching. Notice he references since 2010, he wasn't in charge in 2010. Some of VA accomplishments he highlights are things that were done well before his tenure. For example, Shingles vaccine was approved in 2006 and VA doesn't seem to even get a by-line for assisting in the development of this vaccine.
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Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Medical
Health
Benefits
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 6
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Luckily, my doc has weekend hours and closely monitors Healthevet Secure Message.
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SGT (Join to see)
From what I understand, the entire staff under that PA gets the message and forwards it to the necessary recipient.
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Sgt Spencer Sikder
SGT (Join to see) - Correct and there should also be the MyHealthe Vet coordinator who gets and alarm when a message hasn't been responded to within 3 days.
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SGT (Join to see)
I didn't know that part. Those personnel must've been the ones I spoke with about using Rallypoint and helped me configure my Secure Message settings. They have to be changed when you move.
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Sgt Spencer Sikder
Hurt my knee on August 16th, went to VA Urgent Care and they said a week to 10 days, should get better. On October 17th, called to schedule a PC visit since it didn't get better. They asked when I wanted to be seen, I asked what does he have available, they again asked when I wanted to be seen, I said next week. They gave me an appointment on Decebmer 17th. So, I will see him on the December 17th, he will order an orthopedic consult which will take some time, she will order an MRI which will take more time and once that is done, I will return to her yet again more time......I'm thinking my injury will have an anniversary before I get a diagnosis. Oh by the way, I put my initial request in via MyHeathe Vet. Still no response by the team.
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Only 10% wait over 30 days? I waited 3 months in Phoenix. These numbers seem incredibly low to me.
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SFC Boots Attaway
I usually have to wait a month and then all she does is say my pain meds are good and write new refills. It has been over 2 years since they did a MRI on my back and then I had to request it. You would think with my back condition they would want one at least every 2 years. BUT NO they don't want to see if it has gotten worse. Hell I had to buy my own cane.
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