Have you been stuck with Medical Bills as a Veteran?

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!)

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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...

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.