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

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.

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.

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.

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

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..

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.

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.