Is the “problem” with VA Healthcare a regional one that correlates with which specific region you seek care?

PO3 Jay Rose — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 01:19:48 -0400

I have a specialty care appointment later today at my friendly regional VA Medical Center, and this got me thinking. I personally have received very good care at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center over the last couple of decades, but I hear some really awful tales from friends who have been patients at other VA Medical Centers around the country. I mean sure, I’ve had a provider here-and-there that I didn’t like (read: they were incompetent), and I even had to change my Primary Care Provider (PCP) not once, but twice, yet this was over a period that comes close to 20-years. Overall, I would say that I’d give them 5-stars on at least 85% of my encounters there. My biggest gripe is the administrative staff, most of them are either rude or are clueless, but when it comes to the medical staff (doctors, nurses, PA, and NP types, to name a few) I am oddly quite satisfied. I have been to other VA Clinics outside the region from time-to-time and was pretty happy with the service there too.

This brings me to my question, the “problems” with the VA can’t be “system-wide,” right? It seems that there is a very clear line of demarcation between not only DC and the regional medical centers, but maybe even more so between the regions themselves! Have any of you experienced this? If so, what have you experienced? Surely, Philadelphia can’t be the VA’s ONLY Regional Medical Center (RMC) in the country that doesn’t suck!

Please chime-in with your thoughts, and the more the merrier as I would really enjoy hearing how satisfied other vets are with their own VA Healthcare from coast-to-coast!

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The photo is of the main entrance to the Philadelphia VAMC taken from the top level of the parking structure. (Photo Credit: PO3 Jay Rose)

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Jul 8 at 2020 2:24 AM

SPC Nancy Greene — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 02:24:51 -0400

The VAMC’s in NC vary across the state. I had a phenomenal team at the Durham VAMC until my primary was promoted and two speciality Doctors retired. Now, I have 3 Doctors who are clueless to the VA system. It isn’t my job to teach them. They have many Admin people for that! Some of the administrative clerks and chiefs are arrogant, rude, condescending, and disrespectful. I do know these issues vary from VAMC to VAMC in NC. At one time, the Regional Office was horrid! However, in the past 10 years it seems to have gotten much better. The major problem I am experiencing is Care in the Community. Due to failure of the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay community providers in a timely manner, I have had my dental treatment stopped. I have just recently been reauthorized and after my initial appointment, I am going to lose two teeth and I am not certain I am going to be able to get my dental treatment done at all! I do believe things within the VA and VAMC’s could be drastically improved and sincerely hope things will improve

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2020 4:11 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 04:11:25 -0400

I've been very satisfied with the Seattle VA hospital for around 20 years now, as I had professional contacts there since before I retired [and no, that fact didn't gain me any special treatment]. I would confirm your estimate of an approx. 85% "good experience" rate for myself personally. The only other VAMC I ever had experience with is Madison WI - the care was fine I'm sure, but the general attitude there I do seem to have registered in my memory banks as "arrogant", w/ the disclaimer that due to my partial amnesia I don't always remember specifics, and the VAMC in WI is one of them. My wife says I had a total of only about 5-7 appts. there to her recollection but that's all I know. The one thing I'm not happy with has much less to do with the VA itself than the present horrible lack of leadership there, especially the ensuing Nightmare with the CHOICE system. This will only change when the leadership at the very top changes IMHO. The situation w/ the community providers has a similar origin, and is of course ridiculouss as well. See also post by SPC Nancy Greene.
Warriors Forever!
-Ed Boles

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Jul 8 at 2020 5:36 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 05:36:21 -0400

From what I am told care varies greatly from one VA center to another

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Jul 8 at 2020 6:42 AM

SCPO Morris Ramsey — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 06:42:33 -0400

The VA administrative and clerical staff are gatekeepers

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Jul 8 at 2020 7:10 AM

PO3 Donald Murphy — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 07:10:16 -0400

The problem that I have always had with the VA is that doctors use them as a stepping stone. Great doctor comes in, fantastic care, then 6 months later that doctor is gone.

Not a problem for a bandaid and Motrin issue but I have Multiple Sclerosis so I don’t have time to spend six appointments rebuilding a rapport with a doctor, etc. So I use tricare.

Response by SSgt Richard Kensinger made Jul 8 at 2020 10:58 AM

SSgt Richard Kensinger — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 10:58:42 -0400

Based on numerous interviews w/ vets at the Altoona PA VAC, many are more satisfied w/ physical healthcare than behavioral health. These interviews are a piece of my clinical research on veterans. Related to BHC, many complain about too many psychotropic agents and not enough counseling. And very few counselors served in the military and do not understand military culture and combat trauma even less.
Rich

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Jul 8 at 2020 12:57 PM

LTC Trent Klug — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 12:57:47 -0400

I only have anecdotal evidence, and I'll try to never use the VA health system, but I've heard two very different sides to the healthcare it delivers. Provider turnover, dirty facilities, and wait times just aren't my bag, baby.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Jul 8 at 2020 3:56 PM

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 15:56:00 -0400

Jay, you hammered it! My experience is it is a regional problem. People travel hundreds of miles to seek treatment. The VA should be tied to Tricare. If local services are available, the treatment should be locally--especially reoccurring treatment.

Response by CWO2 Jay Callihan made Jul 8 at 2020 6:28 PM

CWO2 Jay Callihan — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 18:28:59 -0400

VA is really hit or miss I know this from being a Veteran and a former employee; you never know what you are going to get as far as care goes. You need to do some research on any conditions you have prior to your appointment. Since, Trump has been president the VA has improved somewhat but it just depends where you go and for what.

Response by Col John Madison made Jul 8 at 2020 6:44 PM

Col John Madison — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 18:44:46 -0400

Until the VA has a specific system to have clients/patients "rate" each and every staff member, regardless of position, they will never have a full understanding of who are the problems and whom to address. Very few people actually take the time to contact patient affairs and make a formal complaint; they just have some words and walk down the aisle...if that. Most is shrugged off. But you're right about many of the administrative/clerk staff, who most often aren't Vets. I'm not saying that being a Vet automagically makes them a caring and helpful attendant, but there is a factor in empathy there I would hope. Every organization has its own realm of problem people and it is the responsibility of that organization to ferret out those types and LOSE them. The problem with the entire Federal system is that is is NOT privatized...so once they get past their probation system it takes the proverbial Act of Congress to fire the bastards.

Response by PO3 Jean Morris made Jul 9 at 2020 12:52 AM

PO3 Jean Morris — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 00:52:20 -0400

There are some really good VA’s in different states. I worked at two different VA. I was the Eastern Kansas Trainer for MSA’s at one location and I was also a patient. I am now a patient with the VA in Wisconsin. Service has been great at the VA’s I’ve visited as a patient. Bad news travel fast. Good news is usually not reported as frequently.

Response by PO1 Redone Heart made Jul 9 at 2020 12:54 PM

PO1 Redone Heart — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 12:54:17 -0400

I receive my care from the Minneapolis Regional Medical Center. This includes my primary care at the Chippewa Falls Wisconsin Clinic and cardiac specialty care and dental care at the Minneapolis VA hospital. I was a registered pharmacist for 40+ years and have had the opportunity to interact with a lot of medical personnel. I will state that I have had wonderful treatment at both these facilities that far out performed any previous civilian medical treatment. I believe the cardiac care I receive there may be some of the best available in the United States. There may be problems regionally but I think Minneapolis is top notch.

Response by Sgt John H. made Jul 10 at 2020 7:35 AM

Sgt John H. — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 07:35:24 -0400

I find the nursing staff to be extremely competent and the Doctors spotty. I also find that the corona era service to be extremely erratic with mixed messages. I have ended up cancelling all of my appointments and will wait and see because the message of safety is so uneven. I find the admin staff to be rude and clueless now more than ever. My specialty appointment on another knee replacement was dropped and rescheduled numerous times and finally when I saw the actual surgeon just before surgery, he decided it wasn't necessary (finally saw a competent Dr.). But now they are pinging me weekly to come back in after telling me that all non essential appointments were cancelled. I am just to the point that all of the trust that I had built during my Cancer treatment has been eroded.

Response by SFC Barry Garbrick made Jul 14 at 2020 6:56 PM

SFC Barry Garbrick — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 18:56:13 -0400

I have received VA care in both Kansas and Missouri, Kansas VA was better managed health care. Sorry I left....

Response by Pvt SanJuana Méndez made Oct 7 at 2020 4:19 AM

Pvt SanJuana Méndez — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 04:19:47 -0400

I've nvr been fortunate enough to wonder about what kind of care I might get from other veteran facilities but, aside from 1st yr, when I wz just another Marine being attended by a PA, I enjoyed wonderful healthcare for 5 of 21 yrs as Women's Health clinic patient 'til my PCP wz appointed chief of Women's Health. Fortunately, she wz my PCP when I wz diagnosed with cancer. After she became chief of Women's Health, I wz assigned 1st to a NP & then a doc before the doc I've had nearly 10 yrs.

I hvn't been exactly happy with care I get from current PCP but I cn tolerate her care coz I come to realize I nvr really lost my original Women's Health PCP.I've had times I wz so unhappy with care current PCP that I went to Consumer Affairs & got satisfaction.

One of those times, I'd gone while current PCP wz on maternity leave & wz shuffled around (referred to another clinic, forced to go to ER, then told when it wz too late to be seen at Women's Health wz told I should return to PCP). Wound up going to county health facility one Friday night where I received similar treatment. Went to Consumer Affairs following Monday & reported hw I'd been treated before I'd had to go to county facility. They ACCOMPANIED me to my clinic & spoke with my PCP's nurse who then took me to an exam room. Nxt I knew, in walks my original Women's Health PCP, chief of Women's Health. My husband heard her say, "I cn't believe hw u've treated my patient!," as she walked away from exam room.

Since then, I've been more satisfied with current PCP coz I know she's being monitored by her chief. I've only had one occasion to contact her & that has ensured my PCP's monitored. Every time since pandemic, whenever I secured message PCP, I receive reply from her chief assuring me PCP will be contacting immediately thereafter....& PCP replies.

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Oct 7 at 2020 7:02 AM

SGT Robert Pryor — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 07:02:30 -0400

Yes, and the same for successfully filing a disability claim with a VA Regional Office. There are terrible inconsistencies.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Oct 7 at 2020 9:50 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 21:50:18 -0400

Despite PO3 Jay Rose's experiences with Philadelphia, my experience was totally unsatisfactory. At the same time, my 15 years of treatment at the Lebanon Pa facility, I consider excellent. I believe I owe my life to the Nurse Practitioner who is my primary care person. Why? When faced with a problem she evaluates the reputation of the three VA centers proximate to my home and arranges for me to be treated at the center with the highest success rate with the particular malady. She has also recommended I go out to civilian centers when appropriate.
I believe my "gatekeeper's" initiative to learn the capabilities of the various medical divisions in the proximate VA facilities as well as civilian hospitals has benefited me and her other patients.
By the way, my problem with Philly was a cancerous tumor. Using the timeline the oncologists at Lebanon had provided, when Philly was not responding in a timely fashion, she referred me to a civilian hospital and a physician she was aware of, and the situation was handled.
Healthcare is a dual responsibility between the provider and the patient; by my working with her, and her initiative to be aware of regional capabilities, we have been successful in keeping me above ground level.

Response by SN James R Redmond made Apr 30 at 2023 7:41 AM

SN James R Redmond — Sun, 30 Apr 2023 07:41:04 -0400

The problem is not the VA, the problem is the policy from this white house. They are trying to destroy everything that is military related.