Is anyone having delay problems with the Veterans Choice program? If so, how long is/was your delay?

TSgt Dawn Premock — Wed, 24 May 2017 16:58:18 -0400

The VA has been trying their best to help me get the approval from Health Net. Health Net continues to past the required time limits and sending it back to the VA. I spoke with a local VA person who puts the request in, she told me they have over 1,000 cases they are having problems with. I'm contacting my congressman concerning the issue.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2017 5:11 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 May 2017 17:11:13 -0400

TSgt Dawn Premock I have not come across this at my VA, but I also have the luxury of my VA being physically connected to the University of Missouri Hospital, as well as Boone Hospital Center here in town (there's never a shortage of med students willing to get any time in on cases they can).
The MSG is correct, your Congressperson will not be able to expedite anything for you. No just because they don't really have any pull there, but because of off the other shenanigans going on there right now, anyways. You might try American Legion or a similar organization - many VAs have American Legion reps physically in the hospital. They might be able to assist you there.

Response by LTC John Shaw made May 24 at 2017 5:13 PM

LTC John Shaw — Wed, 24 May 2017 17:13:34 -0400

TSgt Dawn Premock I am hoping to the VA Choice program gets me to care provider quicker but it sounds like the process is not working that way. Is there anyone in the local clinic you can take your concern? It can't hurt to get your Congressman involved, especially if you are getting pushed back and forth between the VA choice and the current VA system.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2017 5:16 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 May 2017 17:16:38 -0400

Every time I decide I should probably go to the VA for something I happen across another reason why it doesn't sound like such a good idea..

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made May 24 at 2017 6:05 PM

MSgt Mark Bucher — Wed, 24 May 2017 18:05:50 -0400

Another classic example of the broken promises made to Veterans. Hell, I clearly remember my recruiter telling me back in 1982 that if I did 20, free health care for the rest of my life. Uh huh. It doesn't matter what party is in power, Veterans get the short end of the stick. The GOP appoints a political hack who cuts VA care and funding, the Dems blindly throw money into the system and wonder why it isn't fixed. IMHO, it all boils down to a broken health care system as a whole, where profits are more important than the person.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made May 24 at 2017 6:57 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Wed, 24 May 2017 18:57:00 -0400

Not sure what is expected, but when you go outside the VA, it doesn't put you ahead of other patients. There are some specialists that have long waiting lists. And, I'm sorry to tell you, past experience has shown that if the VA is slow and low pay like TRICARE, some limit the number of these patients.

Response by SPC George Rudenko made May 25 at 2017 1:11 AM

SPC George Rudenko — Thu, 25 May 2017 01:11:03 -0400

I was 130 miles from a VA hospital but there was a VAclinic in town. So I was denied VA choice for specialty care.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made May 26 at 2017 9:31 AM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Fri, 26 May 2017 09:31:14 -0400

I have not had problems gaining civilian treatments when necessary, however, sometimes it is not the golden bullet many believe. As an Agent Orange and Camp LeJeune water issue "benefactor", I must often assume the position of educator for the civilian practitioner on these military specific contributors to my health that most civilians don't normally have to consider and are rarely familiar with.