Posted on Apr 17, 2015
Has anybody been successfully treated through the VA Choice Progam?
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Today, I received a phone call from the VA Medical Center which provides most of my treatment. I had a appointment scheduled for early next month and the doctor is now unavailable with the next available appointment in July. I live roughly 40 miles away from a few VA facilities.
The POC suggested I call VA's Choice Program, after waiting two weeks to allow the system to process the requirement, to coordinate an appointment with a local doctor who would be paid through the VA. Then I need to call the POC back and cancel the July appointment.
Right now I receive all of my medical care free through the VA Medical Center system.
I am curious to see if anybody else has gone through this program and what the results were including out of pocket payments.
The POC suggested I call VA's Choice Program, after waiting two weeks to allow the system to process the requirement, to coordinate an appointment with a local doctor who would be paid through the VA. Then I need to call the POC back and cancel the July appointment.
Right now I receive all of my medical care free through the VA Medical Center system.
I am curious to see if anybody else has gone through this program and what the results were including out of pocket payments.
Posted in these groups: 
Disabled Veterans
Transition
Disabled Veterans Transition
Edited 10 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 27
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Yesterday morning I went to my 2nd dermatology appointment arranged through the VA Choice Program. The dermatology doctor and staff are pleasant and professional. Today I had about 10 areas of Actinic Keratosis frozen on my legs and neck and then a suspected basal cell carcinoma shaved off with a biopsy taken from my upper left arm. Over the years I have probably had 50 Actinic Keratosis areas frozen off me. The stinging pain is a refreshing change from the drudgery of my more constant back and post-herpetic neuralgia pains. The biopsy results are expected back within 2 weeks. I am tired but thankful. I prayed for wisdom and eyes to see for the doctor and am confident that God answered yes in this case.
On my second appointment, the in-processing worked very well. Hopefully this is positive sign that the VA.
[2015-06-13 edit - Updated 6 to 10 frozen areas based on casual count] Sgt Richard Buckner, SPC (Join to see), SGT Rick Ash, PO2 William Allen Crowder,
On my second appointment, the in-processing worked very well. Hopefully this is positive sign that the VA.
[2015-06-13 edit - Updated 6 to 10 frozen areas based on casual count] Sgt Richard Buckner, SPC (Join to see), SGT Rick Ash, PO2 William Allen Crowder,
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SFC Jo Ann Klawitter
I’m so sorry I really mean this
You’ve been having a rotten year
I’m still dealing with a kidney stone and it really hurts to cough or try to pass gas
You’ve been having a rotten year
I’m still dealing with a kidney stone and it really hurts to cough or try to pass gas
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The VA system is broke and needs a complete overhaul top down.
The Choice card is an example of the government wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on a do nothing program. they claim as correcting VAs backload problems by issuing out "Choice" cards to make sure veterans are seen in a timely manner.
in order to use my card I have to have prior VA approval.
I have used the VA fee based which sends me to the local hospital for specialized treatment
The Choice card is an example of the government wasting millions of taxpayer dollars on a do nothing program. they claim as correcting VAs backload problems by issuing out "Choice" cards to make sure veterans are seen in a timely manner.
in order to use my card I have to have prior VA approval.
I have used the VA fee based which sends me to the local hospital for specialized treatment
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SFC Jo Ann Klawitter
LTC Stephen F. good luck, Colonel
I got refused so many time for that program I just finally gave up
I got refused so many time for that program I just finally gave up
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SFC Jo Ann Klawitter
SP5 Kenneth Roland good for you
My Community Care is trying to do their very best
The Community Care that I go to is so busy they can’t answer your phone call. We have to leave a message and they don’t call you back.
My Community Care is trying to do their very best
The Community Care that I go to is so busy they can’t answer your phone call. We have to leave a message and they don’t call you back.
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CMSgt Keith Hennek
I live in Florida and have used the program for the past 2 years and haven't had any problems with it at all. What I found out is in order for the program to work well for you to make sure you get the VA Authorization number for the referral, and if you don't have it, call the Community Care hotline to request them to mail it to you. They should be mailing those referrals once they're approved. Do not provide the Community Care provider other insurance information such as your tricare or Medicare if you have that because the provider will bill them if they don't have the VA Authorization number. I 've recently had back surgery, an epideral through pain management, and kidney stones removed through Community Care and the VA took care of 100% of it with no trouble. I have also received physical therapy for over a year and a half for my shoulder and back and have gotten the approvals renewed several times once the authorization is ready to expire. It's a great program, and it has worked well for me.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you fro responding CMSgt Keith Hennek and letting us know the VA Choice program has worked well for you-
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Many times, for macular degeneration, COPD, dental work etc etc. I’ve always received the best of care
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding SPC Kenneth Schaub for responding and letting us know the VA Choice program has worked well for you.
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I have been treated by the choice program four or five times. When the VA wait time is over 30 days, they will get a doctor from outside the VA at no cost or copay. My wait time was about a week before I got an appointment.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for respodning A1C Robert Underwood and letting us know that VA Community Care has worked well for you - except for the wait time
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I was offered the choice program for my upcoming cataract surgery but chose not to use it. I have been using VA services (here's a hint: if you happen to live near a large city which has a seasonal population, try seeking if they have more available capacity off season ... works for me!) I had a cataract consult in November '24 and the surgeon said she could do the removal in February '25. But, I don't live in that area during winter. So she offered to set me up with a civilian nearer to my home to see if I could be worked in before leaving the area for the season. However, I've had great experiences with several departments at this VAMC and made the choice to wait until returning in April '25.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for respoding LCDR (Join to see) and letting us know the good, the bad etc. Seasonal movement can be tricky.
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Live in Florida and have used the program several times without a problem?
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you SFC Ronald Miller for responding and letting us know you have used VA Community Care in Florida and it works well for you
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SP5 Kenneth Roland
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I have received excellent care through the Veterans Community Care program. I seldom have to go more than 70 miles to the VA out patient clinic, and community dermatology. Cardiology is only 15 miles away for office visits. Your PCP or your teams nurse need only make the referral to the community doctor's office. Their staff can then get approval through Tri-West for your care. I never get billed for any of these visits.
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I have received excellent care through the Veterans Community Care program. I seldom have to go more than 70 miles to the VA out patient clinic, and community dermatology. Cardiology is only 15 miles away for office visits. Your PCP or your teams nurse need only make the referral to the community doctor's office. Their staff can then get approval through Tri-West for your care. I never get billed for any of these visits.
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SFC Jo Ann Klawitter
Mike Community Care does not understand referrals through the VA and it takes forever
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SP5 Kenneth Roland
SFC Jo Ann Klawitter - Tri-West usually pays at Medicare rates, so your PCP or team nurse needs to make the referral to an office that deals with that. I also call the specialty office to verify the appointments and make sure that their business office can and will file the claim. Speak with their office manager who might need to learn more about filing claims through Tri-West.
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SFC Jo Ann Klawitter
SP5 Kenneth Roland this is a work in progress to get a civilian NP to understand the rules of the military
Some referrals take forever because she doesn’t understand what the VA needs and they talk back-and-forth and finally get settled after a long while
My friend tells me I would get better care if I went to the VA clinic and not Community Care in my neighborhood
Getting old they decided I didn’t need to drive an hour and a half to the VA clinic
Some referrals take forever because she doesn’t understand what the VA needs and they talk back-and-forth and finally get settled after a long while
My friend tells me I would get better care if I went to the VA clinic and not Community Care in my neighborhood
Getting old they decided I didn’t need to drive an hour and a half to the VA clinic
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding SP5 Kenneth Roland and letting us know you have received excellent care through the VA Community Care program
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