Going to a VA facility or outsourcing with Veterans Choice?

2015-08-07T10:45:00-04:00

Recently, I was told to opt in to the Veterans Choice program. I needed to see some specialists outside of the VA. I was very reluctant because I finally had found a pretty good team at my VA. I had a card but didn't want to use partially because I don't understand the system. Two part question (I have no connection to the VA or VC)

Given the choice in your area, which do feel serves your needs better? Going to a VA facility or outsourcing with Veterans Choice?

Have you had a successful experience with Veterans Choice? Did you understand how it works before you used it?

Lately, my care and speed of referral appointments to professionals at the top of their game is making me feel like a poster child for the VA to say the system is working. I am glad it is working for me, but I was part of the AZ mess before moving to KS. I won't start on that topic because I fear I might never get back down from my soapbox.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Aug 7 at 2015 10:46 AM

2015-08-07T10:46:12-04:00

Good news Maj Kim Patterson --- I am very happy for you!

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Aug 7 at 2015 10:46 AM

2015-08-07T10:46:59-04:00

Yes, and it works very well! I have to use it because we do not have a VA Hospital in our State.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Aug 7 at 2015 10:54 AM

2015-08-07T10:54:33-04:00

The dynamic differences between private care and VA care takes a veterans' involvement that's for sure. The veteran needs to understand what is happening and why and be able to articulate that between the specialists and the VA providers.

Response by Sgt Tom Vaughn made Aug 7 at 2015 11:44 AM

2015-08-07T11:44:39-04:00

I'm nervous about the choice program, seems to me it's great if you have other insurance , but if not stay with VA ?
I don't know what to do myself , nearest VA Hhosspital is at Ft Harrison Mt . 165 miles , nearest clinic is Missoula , about 50 miles , the VA sends me to outside doctors , and because they did the cyst in my sinus that 3 VA doctors were treating with nasal spray , was removed by an outside ENT, because it was a tumor and not a cyst , the outside MRI/CT shows damage to my spine that is and has been causing extreme pain for years , the VA MRI/CT and their reports say nothing , Hummmm. My VA lol care provider informed me he cannot give evidence to the Soscial security admin. because it's a conflict of interest , now I know why there MRI/CT shows nothing and the VA MRI. Report is only 3 pages compared to the 16 pages of the non VA Doctors reports , that show the damage from arthritis as well as from old injuries ,
So my question to fellow Veterans is , Choice or stay with VA . ,

Response by SPC Jeffrey Bly made Aug 7 at 2015 1:09 PM

2015-08-07T13:09:15-04:00

Are all veterans eligible for this program?

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Aug 8 at 2015 1:47 AM

2015-08-08T01:47:11-04:00

Shot down for Vets Choice because there is an urgent care clinic close by. Still travel 130 miles for specialists. LOL

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Aug 8 at 2015 2:21 PM

2015-08-08T14:21:33-04:00

VA Choice would expand under McCain proposal ...

Sen. John McCain introduced a bill Wednesday that would extend the VA Choice Card program indefinitely and expand eligibility to include every veteran enrolled in VA health care.

Saying the Veterans Affairs Department has been "slow to implement the program" since enactment a year ago of the law broadening private care options for veterans, the Arizona Republican believes his bill would remove any lingering uncertainty about the program, which will end in 2017.

“More than a year after the VA scandal first came to light and a year since VA reform legislation was signed into law, wait times are still too long and veterans are still not getting the care they have earned and deserve," McCain said in a news release.

The bill would erase the requirement that a veteran must live at least 40 miles from a VA health facility or be unable to get an appointment at a VA hospital or clinic within 30 days to be eligible for the program.

The VA Choice program was established in response to the scandals that erupted in 2014 over health care delays and appointment wait times at Veterans Affairs health facilities nationwide.

Read more at ...

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/benefits/veterans/2015/08/07/va-choice-would-expand-under-mccain-proposal/31282197/

Response by SrA Jason Mcmillan made Aug 11 at 2015 4:32 PM

2015-08-11T16:32:34-04:00

I live in the Atlanta Ga. area and using outsourced health care professionals would be a no brainer. I just received the pamphlet on the veterans choice program. If it does allow me to see who I can outside the va facility I'll be all over it.

Response by LTC Craig Amnott made Aug 11 at 2015 4:55 PM

2015-08-11T16:55:43-04:00

I'm a retired veteran with a disability rating. I am also a Family Physician who has worked at VA facilities (moonlighting while I built my private medical practice). I don't use the VA for my own personal care. I won't disparage the VA other than to say, in aggregate the care in private practice is better (more timely access, quicker access to specialists when needed and quicker access for testing, etc.). If you have found a good VA team that you are happy with then stick with them until they break up or you become unhappy with the care. For the most part though, capitalism beats socialism.

Response by SCPO Carl Wayne Boss made Aug 12 at 2015 2:45 AM

2015-08-12T02:45:53-04:00

Major,
It's just my opinion, but if you know of the ongoing problems here at the Phoenix VA, you owe it to your brothers and sisters in uniform to get up on your "soap box" and add your voice to the others already speaking out, so that all the irregularities can be identified and reconciled.

I have a brother-in-law that is a Vietnam Vet, like myself, that has 3 different cancers and other issues due to Agent Orange exposure during his 6 tours in 'Nam and he's been dealing with the Phoenix VA for a very long time. This country owes all Veterans a heavy debt. Keeping silent insures it will be long if ever, 'til its repaid.

Best of luck to you in Kansas Major, if you're ever back to Arizona, look up this old Coast Guard SAR Boat Driver, turned Firefighter & Fire inspector.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Aug 12 at 2015 6:03 PM

2015-08-12T18:03:21-04:00

I have the Veterans Choice that is for qualifying medical care outside the Department of Veterans Affairs. But must call [login to see] to ensure the treatment has been authorized. However I have not used this option yet but for the Veterans Choice Program Information checkout their website http://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/ However when I was an outpatient at the VA Medical Center in Palo Alto CA.. I did receive medical care at the Stanford University Hospital which is affiliated with the VA Palo Alto. They have specialists at Stanford Medical Center who are rated very highly & the VA used them quite often

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 13 at 2015 7:45 AM

2015-08-13T07:45:01-04:00

Kim,there are many specialist out there that are better than VA physicians. I have reviewed numerous VA medical charts and often the standard of care is not met by VA physicians either because of negligence or VA directive.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Aug 20 at 2015 3:58 PM

2015-08-20T15:58:20-04:00

My gut was right. I am still waiting. Yesterday I made a few calls. No codes were sent to request authorization for the surgeries. I hand carried my lab work and asked to speak to the staff person in charge of this on Monday. She was conviently gone to lunch and still has not made contact. I called Triwest and they said they have no record of requests from the doctor and without these, they cannot forward the request for approval to the VA. I contacted the person at the VA who said she'd contact the doctor's office. Does this sound like a game you played as a kid? Tell the first person something and by the time it gets back it is completely different?! I am now at the 2 month point since the radiologist read my CT scan.

There is no telling how much more the infection has infiltrated unless someone orders another CT scan which I don't see happening. I do have an MRI coming up soon that was already in the schedule; perhaps that might give the excellent VA neurologist I have currently something to work with before I completely lose my vision permanently.

In my opinion, Veteran's choice has nothing to do with choice and everything to do with more bureaucratic excrement.

Response by CPL Oliver Olson made Aug 20 at 2015 4:09 PM

2015-08-20T16:09:48-04:00

My advice is that if you feel comfortable of going to an outside resources to get than go for it. You have to take care of yourself and we'll being. In with that do what you feel right on getting what you need. That's my opinion.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 20 at 2015 4:35 PM

2015-08-20T16:35:50-04:00

Maj Kim Patterson , Earlier this year in March, my VA primary care doctor wanted me to see a dermatologist based on some symptoms. The closest appointment was over 60 days out but we scheduled one. A week later I received a phone call from the VA Choice Program which had reviewed my file. That started a 3-weeks long process which eventually authorized up to six appointments with a local dermatologist. As it happened I had seen that dermatologist prior to being terminated from my employment based on an Affordable care Act review. I showed up at the appointed time and learned that the VA Choice Program had not sent the required paperwork. I asked to talk to the VA Choice Program rep who was talking with the doctor's staff. I was able to convince them to to authorize my appointment. I had three follow-on dermatology appointments which each went through very smoothly.
I have been satisfied with my VA Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics and physical therapy, and esspecially my primary care doctor.

Response by PFC Joseph Levi made Aug 20 at 2015 6:53 PM

2015-08-20T18:53:33-04:00

Ok there are a few rules in order to use the choice program. First, you need to live 40 miles (driving) away from a VA facility. A VA facility is defined as a community based outpatient clinic or any VA facility. The facility does not even need to have the services that are required. For example if you need an xray and you have a cboc in your town, even though it doesn't perform x-rays, that still is considered a VA facility within the 40 miles. There is legislation on changing this to a facility that performs the services you need. If you have health insurance other than VA health care, I would just go ahead and use the private insurance.

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Aug 20 at 2015 7:48 PM

2015-08-20T19:48:40-04:00

as a retiree and a service connected veteran I only use tri-care - I do that so others can be seen by the VA. The choice program http://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/ seem to be helping wait list etc. Make sure you understand the program

Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act | About the Program

Learn how to get started with the .

Response by LCpl Barry Rice made Aug 21 at 2015 11:42 AM

2015-08-21T11:42:03-04:00

For me it is a conundrum, the Choice Card program in my area of Central Cal. is being used as a temporary aid, which runs out in two years or if the VA runs out of money. One has to take a pick from the programs doctors or get your doctor to sign up. One problem I face, is driving to the nearest VA facility. Another is, my doctors that I currently see, have been with me ten to twenty years and have all my info., "should I stay, or should I go". With another normal health insurance available and with all the restrictions placed on the Choice card, I am just not sold on the idea. The last temporary L. A. gave me lasted three weeks and canceled without telling me prior to doctors visits. I am so frustrated with limited to no VA care available for us for the last five years. The concept is not a good one and just adds the frustrations and anxiety that I alright deal with. Personally, it's my thought that quick fixes break faster.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Sep 12 at 2015 12:59 PM

2015-09-12T12:59:09-04:00

An update: I had the surgery last week and had severe complications, including a GI bleed. I went for my 1 week check and the doctor says there is still infection there, despite the surgery and 10 days of Bactrim. I was laying down after this visit because he drilled more out and the phone rang. The coordinator at my local VA had Triwest on the line for a three way call. Triwest opens with how are ya doing today. I reply "terrible, I just had more surgery and am in a lot of pain." Triwest replies "Super! That's great!" At which point the VA coordinator chimes in and asks the triwest person did you hear her? She said she'd had surgery and is sick, that is not an appropriate response. On the triwest end, the rest of the call went: super, perfect, perfect, perfect, that's great, perfect perfect... They need to hire people with at least some basic medical background and common decency. This call was to set up an appointment to see the neuro opthamologist about the worsening eye paralysis. While on the line, we all confirmed a date and time. Yesterday I got a call from the doctor's office for being a no-show for an 0800 appointment. The appointment we set up is supposed to be mid October. I haven't received my letter authorizing the care yet. No letter, you pay. I am convinced this program is a total fail. It's not the VA personnel. It is the call center.