Have you been stuck with Medical Bills as a Veteran?

2017-10-19T11:29:41-04:00

Please send me your stories about healthcare debt you've been stuck with as a result of the VA, First Choice, or because you family members weren't covered by the VA (only you). I want to gther as much information as possible. Thank you COL Burroughs

Response by Scott Patton made Oct 19 at 2017 11:55 AM

2017-10-19T11:55:04-04:00

A story I saw in the news from earlier this year.
http://www.fox25boston.com/news/vet-says-he-nearly-operated-on-himself-when-va-wouldnt-pay-medical-bill/520957865

Vet says he nearly operated on himself when VA wouldn't pay medical bill

A New Hampshire veteran was nearly forced to operate on himself after he says the Department Veterans Affairs refused to pay his medical bill.

Response by SGT Jim Ramge, MBA made Oct 19 at 2017 12:49 PM

2017-10-19T12:49:23-04:00

Interesting subject! I’ve been going to an acupuncture doctor for a year now. When I approached my Primary care, because of the newer guidance on Opioids, I asked if the VA would pick up my costs. Was told they would do 12 visits to a doctor within their system.
And I asked what good that would do if I’ve been going twice a week for the past twelve months. I stated that’s a tease for the other 3/4 of the year. I then stated you want me off the drugs, full time which are pain management, but you only want to pay for acupuncture pain management for 1/4 of the year - yeah, makes sense to me too Doc! So out of money there -$600 a month.
Needed orthotics and the VA sent me to get some through their contracted podiatrist. Had a foot mold - looks like a canoe! Took those into the Accupuncture doctor and showed him. We took a 3-D scan of my feet, (the worst he had ever seen in his career), sent off and $400+ later, I get some hi-tech orthotics that actually do what they are supposed to do!
At times the VA is God’s joke on me, I swear!
I cannot say I haven’t had some great doctors, as I have, but I have had some folks that I have completely disagreed with! My overall costs since being retired have been minimal over the past 17 years - so I won’t complain with any real discomfort level. So though I am not happy with my current situation, I’d still give the VA a 7/10 overall (other issues at-hand dropping their score!)

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 19 at 2017 7:33 PM

2017-10-19T19:33:42-04:00

I have not been stuck with medical bills since I retired from military COL Mikel J. Burroughs. We were stuck with medical bills between my termination from LMI at the end of June 2013 and my retirement from the US army in October 2016.
We paid off those debts using my VA disability income in the interim.

Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made Oct 20 at 2017 5:43 AM

2017-10-20T05:43:39-04:00

I remember when some policies concerning billing, when they changed. Such as, I had BCBS insurance but I chose to have all of my healthcare at the VA. My insurance was not billed because I was getting my treatment at the VA. But over the years that has changed, any insurance and Medicare has to be on file to be charged. I don't recall why that change happened.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Oct 20 at 2017 6:49 AM

2017-10-20T06:49:13-04:00

Not yet.

Response by SPC Nathan Barnes made Oct 22 at 2017 7:39 AM

2017-10-22T07:39:48-04:00

There is so much to tell I'd have to write a book, and then no one ever cared enough to change things anyway.
Or should I say no one would read it anyway. FUBAR, but life always seems to go on, with you or without you, it goes on.
No matter how many times you get depressed, no matter how much anxiety you have. The mail man always delivers, and the debt collectors are always on the phone. Life goes on.

Response by SFC Randy Purham made Oct 22 at 2017 1:18 PM

2017-10-22T13:18:57-04:00

I personally haven't had to deal with this issue, but I have a few buds that have. The main driving force was they were told they can see a doctor of their choice within a 50 mile radius, when they did they were told the visit wasn't covered. Appeals didn't work in majority of the cases. It's unfortunate that this has to happen to our vets.

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Oct 22 at 2017 2:47 PM

2017-10-22T14:47:47-04:00

Had a prob a while back VA was slow paying an emergency room bill. They paid bill but not the interest on it. I went to the forensic lawyers at VA and they sent a cease and desist letter to them. It seemed to do the trick...

Response by GySgt Melissa Gravila made Oct 22 at 2017 4:26 PM

2017-10-22T16:26:44-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs yes, 3 different times when the VA has sent me to a "civilian" hospital for care. I have to dig up the info, will get it to you privately
S/F

Response by SPC Siria Purcell-Campo made Oct 22 at 2017 5:11 PM

2017-10-22T17:11:34-04:00

I've used the VA here in El Paso,Tx. A few times for regular appointments for meds, xrays, smoking cessation and urgent care for having allergic reaction to meds once. Each time I was treated with respect and I can say I have not had any large bills to pay. Each time I was treated my bills were paid ok. I didn't find a big issue with unpaid bills even with getting help for things that weren't service connectioned. I'm hoping with my current issue of needing back surgery that is also service connected that I will not have a big problem. So far the biggest problem I've had to deal with is having to be seen outside of the VA Hospital due to having insurance at the hospital I currently work at so I use only my insurance from my employer for now. However since I will have to keep the VA in the loop of all this for my rating I'm finding myself between a rock and a hard place because both VA and my employer insurance refuse to use the physician or facilities. It's been frustrating to the point my care has been delayed a few months. I wonder if this has happened to many Vets. So I'm sure the possibility of being stuck with medical bills is stressful. I'll let you know more as I get more information from my next appointment at VA.

Response by SSG Terry Clay made Oct 22 at 2017 5:55 PM

2017-10-22T17:55:30-04:00

I was informed by the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Memphis that, because our nation's military was largely a civilian militia made up of Reservists and National Guardsmen and women, and we all probably had some level of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from life outside active military service, they would not evaluate or treat NGR soldiers for potential PTSD related issues. That's pretty close to exactly the wording they used. I sought help elsewhere in the private sector 5 years later, saw a brilliant provider who diagnosed me after my initial evaluation, and a counselor who helped me reach that breakthrough we all want and need. Costs? Bills? Yes, I have them. In the hundreds of thousands of dollars by now. My private insurance has been sufficient to do the work the Veterans Administration would not. But, in spite of the enormity for the debt incurred, I wouldn't trade it for the state of mind from which I was delivered. FTVA!

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Oct 22 at 2017 6:19 PM

2017-10-22T18:19:59-04:00

COL. No bills but my company didn’t care if I had other insurance or not. In fact I had cancer surgery 5 times and radiation treatment and not a dime out of my pocket except for travel. I am a little behind now on TFL but I used to study it when I almost paid when I did’t have to.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Oct 22 at 2017 7:54 PM

2017-10-22T19:54:52-04:00

Not me My medical bills would have been coming up on $1 Million by now. 3 major operations, about 20 trips in the Emergency Ward and one by helicopter. Radiation and Chemo, and enough CT Scans that I glow in the dark. Between the VA, TriCare For Life and Medicare they paid for all of that. Ending IU will cut me off and take away over half of my disability. My first case of Republicare

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2017 11:23 PM

2017-10-22T23:23:47-04:00

I have had some medical bills to pay to the VA, but they were insignificant in cost. If it had been hundreds of dollars, I would have had a serious problem, but I think the most I ever paid wasn't more than $50. I pretty much self medicate or use my wife's insurance. I tried using the VA for some stuff but getting an appointment in the same month, or quarter is basically impossible. So I just don't use them anymore.

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Oct 23 at 2017 7:11 AM

2017-10-23T07:11:38-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, a great resource for dealing with medical bills associated with your VA healthcare is: http://www.va.gov. Navigate through this site to learn more about billing and how to resolve common issues. As always, the law dictates what VA can and can't pay for and how to obtain reimbursement.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

The US Department of Veterans Affairs provides patient care and federal benefits to veterans and their dependents. The home page for the Department of Veterans Affairs provides links to veterans benefits .and services, as well as information and resources for other Departmental programs and offices.

Response by Scott Patton made Oct 23 at 2017 10:04 AM

2017-10-23T10:04:38-04:00

http://www.kare11.com/news/investigations/investigates-va-calls-veterans-imprudent-denies-er-payments/448136461

KARE 11 Investigates: VA denies ER payments, calls vets imprudent

As a service-connected disabled veteran, Ben Krause expected the Minneapolis VA would automatically pick up his $6,066 hospital bill. He was mistaken.

Response by CPO Robert (Mac) McGovern made Oct 23 at 2017 6:39 PM

2017-10-23T18:39:33-04:00

SInce I am retired, I have never had to deal with this nightmare. For those who have, I pray, one day there will be a program that recognizes medical problems, service related, may not manifest for years. Veteran's should be able to have these ills evaluated and treated as necessary at no cost to the veteran. I would like to see a program that covers spouses who also suffer from mental problems related to serving as a military spouse.

There are about 22 million veterans...the dog that barks the loudest gets the most attention. Veterans united are a force that cannot be ignored when large numbers start barking.

Response by Capt Dwayne Conyers made Oct 23 at 2017 6:43 PM

2017-10-23T18:43:38-04:00

Not yet... knock on wood!

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2017 11:16 PM

2017-10-23T23:16:05-04:00

This is a Great effort to aleve much of the Financial suffering of many of My HEROES !!! Thank you Col. !!!! HOOORRAH !!!! Blessings !!!

Response by PO1 Kevin Dougherty made Oct 23 at 2017 11:56 PM

2017-10-23T23:56:59-04:00

Have had no real issues with the VA. I do of course have to pay for my wife's medical insurance, but so far, that's very affordable with medicare.

Response by CPL Beth Allsop made Oct 24 at 2017 3:33 AM

2017-10-24T03:33:36-04:00

Hello COL Mikel J. Burroughs, here’s the “funny thing with my medical bills every year, since ObamaCare began, the VA sends me a tax statement stating that i have had medical coverage from the previous year. In reality as a cold war vet i do not qualify for VA healthcare without going through a financial review. I have not been able to use the VA since 2007, therefor i am in heaps of medicsl debt, but it is all out of pocket related to no VA heathcare. For that matter when i was at the CA they refused to get me into 3 different soecialist clinics i needed so while reciving care there i also had to rely on private healthcare for the remainder of my healthcare needs.
Please let me know if you can still help, due to many chronic illnesses i am drowning in medical debt.
Best,
Beth

Response by SSgt Holden M. made Oct 24 at 2017 12:36 PM

2017-10-24T12:36:22-04:00

Luckily I have had positive experience with the VA. So long story short, the end of July 2017 I ended up going to the ER with a bad infection in my foot from a small cut. I spent 4 days in the hospital on IV anti-biotics and told them the only coverage I have is through the VA and not sure how much of it would be covered. After I got discharged I was nervous about getting a hospital bill or the VA taking all of my disability to cover it but got a letter in the mail the other day saying that the VA completely covered my hospital bill.

Response by PO1 Martin Findley made Oct 24 at 2017 12:38 PM

2017-10-24T12:38:05-04:00

When my mother passed away in 2010, I went to West Virginia to do all the "no fun" arraignments for her funeral and what not. To say the least, I only took about 2 weeks worth of my medications with me. When I contacted the local VA in WV to attempt to get a temporary refill, they informed me that I had to do all sorts of paperwork "before" I needed the prescriptions transferred to another VA. I tried to explain to them the situation, to no avail... To say the least, I had to bail on my other family members just to get home and have my medications. It should be easier to get temp. refills when out of state, the VA 'IS' one company, not 52+ separate companies.

Response by PFC Greg Ortiz made Oct 24 at 2017 12:53 PM

2017-10-24T12:53:31-04:00

Unfortunately i have heard to many horror stories about the VA facilities here in Massachusetts so i use my employer insurance that i pay for, our plan is not that expensive.

Response by PFC Lisa McDonald made Oct 24 at 2017 2:20 PM

2017-10-24T14:20:21-04:00

Many times I have been stuck with medical bills. They even garnished my social security for it once

Response by SSgt James Tadlock made Oct 24 at 2017 2:30 PM

2017-10-24T14:30:42-04:00

I had a colonoscopy done and was instructed to do so by VA. They sent me to a civilian doctor under the choice program. They did not pay the doctor or hospital for months and so they came after me. Anyway I finally got with a representative from choice and she said that the hospital or doctor could not come after me. The next time I had a call from the hospital I told them this. Anyway they finally paid the part of the bill of which they were contracted to pay and the fiasco ended. I hope to not have to use any outside the VA medical again.

Response by SSG Diane R. made Oct 24 at 2017 3:04 PM

2017-10-24T15:04:53-04:00

The Veterans administration attempted to stick me with an ER visit once when I had having symptoms of a heart attack.

They advised me to go to the nearest hospital which was about 18 miles away versus their facility which was over 50.

I followed the directions and consequently received an ER bill of several thousand dollars which the VA would not pay.

I contested it and brought my Senator and congressman into the dispute and the VA finally paid.

I have had the same problem with mammograms over the years. the VA set some up at a private hospital, then the bills bounce and I have to sort it out myself.

Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made Oct 24 at 2017 4:57 PM

2017-10-24T16:57:22-04:00

I don't have an unsuccess story because I do not use Veteran's Choice. There was a necessary treatment that necessitated VC. The paperwork was very specific so I had no problems. However, because I know veterans who have been unhappy with the program, I choose to receive everything through the VA.

Response by LCpl Donald Faucett made Oct 24 at 2017 5:01 PM

2017-10-24T17:01:22-04:00

I never applied for any of my VA benefits. They made it too hard for me wanting all kinds financial and tax info. The lady was rude. Oh and fill out an application. This was a VA outpatient psych clinic. Little did she know the only reason I went in the was a psych emergercy. She never looked up and saw me, just kept flipping her papers. I knew right then Colonel, I was on my own. So I said thanks and left. I made a discovery about myself, and an opinion of the VA.

Response by LTC Conrad Novack made Oct 24 at 2017 5:50 PM

2017-10-24T17:50:22-04:00

I cannot comment from my own experience, since the only relationship I had with the VA was my guaranteed home loan, which is no longer active, since I paid it off. As a career Army officer with almost 21 years of commissioned service, TRICARE was my insurance carrier upon my retirement in 1984. Combined with the health insurance provided by the school district with which I was employed following 1984, I always had good, responsive health care with minimal copayments. When I turned 65 and became eligible for Medicare, TRICARE For Life became the second payer to Medicare, and I had no further copayments.
With my wife being a few years younger than I, I enrolled her in TRICARE Prime, and we were quite happy with the results, since she had similar coverage to mine with the school district and the annual TRICARE Prime premiums were ridiculously inexpensive. When she finally reached 65, she was covered under my Medicare, and she also went on TRICARE For Life. So we now have full coverage with only the monthly Medicare premiums for each of us and no TRICARE premiums. As an added benefit, our prescription medications are covered under TRICARE For Life, so we consider ourselves quite fortunate to have had our health insurance needs fully satisfied with the combination of Medicare and TRICARE For Life.

Response by SPC Diana D. made Oct 24 at 2017 7:28 PM

2017-10-24T19:28:41-04:00

Oh the stories I could tell. They had my income wrong and started charging me co pays for doctor visits and specialist visits and prescriptions. I had tried, unsuccessfully, to have the VA straighten out the problem. After 18 months of trying to get that done I had to get a Congressman involved to get it straightened out. I still had to pay part of the bill because they would not write off the total amount just back 6 months, even thought it took them 18 months to get it done.

Response by Dennis Aubuchon made Oct 24 at 2017 9:41 PM

2017-10-24T21:41:49-04:00

Every veteran deserves to be provided with the healthcare they deserve. They put their lives on the line for us and we should provide for their healthcare needs without being saddled with debt. They have a debt we can never repay.

Response by CPT Doug Adams made Oct 24 at 2017 10:17 PM

2017-10-24T22:17:44-04:00

They see me once a year for things they claim are not duty related. I intend to appeal my disability rating. Thanks to my job my family is covered.

Response by SPC Daniel Rankin made Oct 24 at 2017 11:14 PM

2017-10-24T23:14:58-04:00

Yes we have a local hospital that keeps sending me a bill that we have paid and that we can prove that we have paid. They keep saying we will straighten it out yet keep on sending us this bill as past due. It is the part that is not covered by the insurances. She is on the spousal part of VA.

Response by MSG Mark Million made Oct 25 at 2017 11:27 AM

2017-10-25T11:27:31-04:00

One thing to note about the VA and medical bills is that in some cases the bills people end up with are due to patients taking actions that are in some cases ill advised. When a person goes to the emergency room there is a standard "of what a reasonable person would feel is an emergency" to overcome. Someone going to the ER for minor problems that are then coded by that CIVILIAN ER as "NON EMERGENT" are difficult for the VA to justify paying. This is to say that NOT ALL unpaid medical bills by the VA are the VA's fault. There is a certain amount of responsibility on the part of our veterans to know what they are eligible for and to use good sense and judgment in seeking medical care.

Response by Donna Brickey made Oct 25 at 2017 4:29 PM

2017-10-25T16:29:21-04:00

I hope you are able to help lots of veterans with medical bill challenges Mikel. I think one thing veterans do not understand is that there are rules around who is covered and that VA benefits are not exactly like having insurance. It depennds how long ago a person served, how long, combat or not etc. In my husband's case he can get help with some things, but not others and it is more like a discount than free care. I look forward to whatever report you come up with on this. Thank you!

Response by 1SG Ernest Schmidt made Oct 26 at 2017 3:21 AM

2017-10-26T03:21:14-04:00

I get VA treatment at our VA clinic here in Clarksville, Tn but for big stuff i am sent to Nashville. Our clinic is one of the best, i have never had a problem all my bills are covered too. Now in Nashville it's a big Hospital and you will wait, seems too that the care there is a little less. I waited 4 hours to see a podiatrist, he told me nothing was wrong with my left foot, one month later i went to Tricare and had to have surgery. I was told since i was a type A diabetic and was not getting my meds at the VA all the time they refused to give me any diabetic strips, Had to go to Tricare again where they gave me what i needed, The VA told me to buy my stuff on the outside market.That was the only real complaint, my friend gets that credit card and he told me no one accepts it around here.

Response by SGT Brent Scott made Nov 15 at 2017 9:48 PM

2017-11-15T21:48:57-05:00

Well I’m sorry for not responding at an earlier time, but thru the last few yrs that I have been out of the military treatment has been quite good, but here within the last 14 months since I have submitted insurance info to the VA I have been hit every time I go to the VA, I have a 50% disability thru the gov, but I find it amazing that even if I go to the va for my service connected injuries I still get charged, 2017 has cost me more than 10K billed to my insurance. When I go to argue with the va about charging my insurance for covered injuries I’m told that once I submitted my insurance the va and government were no longer responsible for covering my service connected injuries. Quite pissed, no longer using the VA , now it’s all outside doctors

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2018 1:45 PM

2018-01-15T13:45:44-05:00

The VA is terrible. I have to keep private insurance because of my experience with the VA. They should disband it and save money by allowing qualified vets get their own on the open market.

Response by SFC Russell Shaw made Jan 20 at 2018 9:00 PM

2018-01-20T21:00:12-05:00

We have insurance through where my wife works. Tri-Care would cover any extra we had to pay but I have been told we can only use one or the other to pay our medical bills we can't use both what is my best option. The VA Hospital here will not even take me on as a client because I took care of myself when in the military and did not leave with any preexisting problems. I find it hard to believe that we serve our country take good care of myself and then get turned away at the one place I expected to be met with open arms. We have a wonderful Veterans Hospital here but I am not eligible to use it. We had to pay on an emergency room visit as my wife woke up one night and her nose would not stop bleeding and it was running like a faucet. If we go we will be facing medical bills so we take care of ourselves and don't go unless it is something we can't take care of at home. The last time I went for anything was 2014. I would like to get a physical but that would cost us a lot at this time and I feel really good so don't see why I should spend all that money just to have them tell me I am fine.