VA clinics, are they worth the wait if the civilian clinics don't meet your needs?

2015-09-21T10:33:44-04:00

I have finally gotten word that I will be assigned to a primary clinic at the local VA center. Does the care received make the wait time worth it? I have received horrible care from the civilian clinics in the area, just looking for something that is comparable to what I had before I retired.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2015 10:48 AM

2015-09-21T10:48:58-04:00

I would say it all depends on your VA. I know the one here in Columbia, MO is pretty outstanding - mostly because the University of Missouri hospital is, literally, across the road & connected via a tunnel. That is not the case in many other VAs.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 21 at 2015 10:55 AM

2015-09-21T10:55:23-04:00

The VA continues to improve, just not as fast as most of us would like. For the most part once you are in the system, things go well. There are sometimes long waits, but note I said sometimes. The people rendering medical aid to Vets are just as good as those in the private system.

Response by Cpl Chad Perry made Sep 21 at 2015 5:07 PM

2015-09-21T17:07:56-04:00

After getting jerked around for 2 years by my private health insurance trying to get back surgery, I started going to the VA. The Mpls VAMC gives me the best care I've ever had and I never have to wait long for appointments. I get all my health care there now.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 21 at 2015 5:26 PM

2015-09-21T17:26:25-04:00

Care by a local physician is faster and of better quality

Response by CPT Sheilah Day, MS made Sep 21 at 2015 10:24 PM

2015-09-21T22:24:51-04:00

I love the care I get at my CBOC in Florence Ky and most services at Cincinnati VA. I think VAs that are paired up with teaching hospital like UC or how Palo Alto VA is paired up with Stanford seems to help. I know when my dad retired in 1970 he never went to the VA in Sacramento. When I had health carw through Comair I went to the VA then because the insurance paymenta I believe helped the VA grow. I do not have civilian healthcare anymore but I encourage those that have it to come to the VA as well. I am truly thankful for my treatment there.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Sep 21 at 2015 11:17 PM

2015-09-21T23:17:35-04:00

I am seen regularly with no problem. There's a sick-call daily at 1300. Pretty easy. A lot easier than a Centura walkin clinic

Response by GySgt Paul Hays made Sep 22 at 2015 12:40 PM

2015-09-22T12:40:34-04:00

VA was my sole source of medical care in the past 5 years. Waits have gotten longer, services discontinued, and now, care in civilian facilities is available, but VA's not paying them, so that leads to more delays and problems... The situation worsens by the week. Phoenix VA has been closed twice in one month's time due to wind-driven rain. Rain.

Response by CAPT Charles Weishar made Sep 22 at 2015 2:03 PM

2015-09-22T14:03:14-04:00

I have been visiting a VA Clinic for the past 20 years in Middletown, RI, and have been well taken care of with six month checkups by a doctor, annual blood analysis, shots, etc. For heavier weight projects, I use the local civilian hospital rather than travel 35 miles to the VA hospital. The local hospital in Newport is top notch. I do recommend the VA clinic system for I find them attentive and anxious to help.

Response by CPL Thomas Visser made Sep 22 at 2015 2:46 PM

2015-09-22T14:46:25-04:00

I have received excellent care here in Nashville. I'd say give VA a chance and if you're not pleased go seek private treatment.

Response by SSgt Don Kelley made Sep 22 at 2015 3:11 PM

2015-09-22T15:11:08-04:00

My experience here in Houston is not great. I was assigned a PA that does not want to document problems in the computer. I didn't realize that until a C&P exam not seeing problems I have told the PA.

Response by SP5 John Cobb made Sep 22 at 2015 3:18 PM

2015-09-22T15:18:05-04:00

Here in Maine, I have had zero issues with the VA hospital and my local VA clinic. In fact, I think the service is superior to the local facilities. I had to use the civilian facilities and they almost killed me by prescribing a medication that I didn't realize was slowly killing me (hydrochlorothyazide). My civilian provider called me one late Friday afternoon (after reviewing blood tests) and told me to get to the emergency room, stat!

Response by CPL Bill Williams made Sep 22 at 2015 3:45 PM

2015-09-22T15:45:50-04:00

I don't know where you are located and that may make all the difference. For me, I have gotten excellent care from my clinic in Florida. Good luck to you!

Response by CMSgt John Momaney made Sep 22 at 2015 3:53 PM

2015-09-22T15:53:03-04:00

I visit s VA clinic in Palm Desert, CA and receive outstanding care there. If I need to be referred I am sent to a VA hospital that is part of Loma Linda hospital which is very good. When you are due a check up the send you an appointment time. I also see a psychiatrist once a month and have a civilian local doctor all under TriCare. I have prescription medication sent to my home under Express Scripts which is Tricare. This is usually free. I have my wife under this program also. Some medication can not be automatically that are controlled require your doctor to send scripts a refill order. I believe this is now mandatory that you must use express scripts. Of course in California we have many fine VA hospitals. Hope this helps.

Response by SPC Fredrick Blaise made Sep 22 at 2015 4:00 PM

2015-09-22T16:00:42-04:00

I have had mixed experiences the my local VA. Thorough my PCP getting appointments as been slightly difficult. I've waited months at a time trying to get one and having to see the ER while waiting. Only to be seen by the ER and feeling like I'm being rushed out. I've waited for appointments and received care. In most cases my symptoms had died down only to return after my appointment and leaving me unsure of the wait. My interactions with their mental health specialist has been very good. Getting appointments is easy and the wait is never long. I feel like the Doctors I see in that department care about my care and have had get experiences with them.

Response by SCPO Don Baker made Sep 22 at 2015 4:45 PM

2015-09-22T16:45:40-04:00

I've had good luck with the San Diego and the Topeka, KS VAs. SD, with help from DAV, got the ball rolling before I retired from the Navy and has been following seas ever since. Once retired, I was called in for paperwork follow-up and issued a VA ID card. Is there a wait? Sure, sometimes. But those of us who have more then a week of military service are used to, "hurry up and wait" and don't whine about it. I take a book, go to the cafeteria for a large cup of bad coffee (like the ones the CPO messcranks used to make) and go to the waiting room. I can read my book or have a good conversation with a fellow Sailors or one of the other services. I've had the same doctor for the last three years, something you normally don't have while active, and she and her team take good care of me.

Response by SGT Kenneth Starks made Sep 22 at 2015 5:59 PM

2015-09-22T17:59:28-04:00

Chief, I am an army vet(medic) who works at the Boston VA, and also use the VA for my healthcare, so I have seen both sides of the fence. As a employee, I see good and bad employees(like anywhere else). As a vet, the VA has saved my life four(4)times, Cancer, Bloodclot, Anyrisum, Hearth Failure. I can't say enough good things about the VA. Anywhere you go, you are going to have to wait. But, the Quality of care can't be beat.

Response by CDR Michael Callahan made Sep 22 at 2015 7:31 PM

2015-09-22T19:31:35-04:00

I am seen at the VA clinic in Stephens City, Va and the VA hospital in Martinsburg WV, they are definitely worth the wait. I am very pleased with both of these facilities.

Response by LCpl Stephen Rose made Sep 22 at 2015 9:27 PM

2015-09-22T21:27:06-04:00

Downtown Cleveland VA is absolutely terrible. I've witnessed a elderly veteran that was waiting around half the day for a room after a procedure get rudely snapped at by a desk employee that was angry she had to pry away from her 45 minute phone conversation because the other desk employee was too busy talking with yet another useless employee the entire time I was waiting for my appointment. I was kindly reminded by a patient representative that I have a mental health issue when bringing up this and other issues I've encountered which I guess the VA employees think I am incompetent because of my anxiety. I have had to switch primary doctors because after 4 visits to my primary trying to get a consultation for gastroenterology, I finally had to go wait around in the ER for a few hours for their doctor to come poke my stomach and put the consultation in. I've was treated like a drug addict by the ER triage nurse and have been told by fellow vets that worked there that the non-veteran employees do not care about us. I've avoided going downtown at all costs to the point I am not getting the treatment I need. I would be better off on Obamacare insurance in Cleveland. I will say that the VA out patient clinic right down the street from my house is decent care but just out patient care doesn't cut it. I will be using my compensation to buy private insurance. Basically, it all depends on your area and if you plan on going to a big city VA, hope they don't hire big city incompetent morons like the Cleveland VA does. Good luck.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2015 2:01 AM

2015-09-23T02:01:42-04:00

Access to simplified health care has drastically diminished in the last decade; the miltary/veteran health system is no exception. This is especially true now that all TriCare regions are contracted with civlian insurers, and your real care will be referred to the civilian network. You might just have to wait longer for a referral now :/.

I hope I am just being overtly pessimistic and all goes well for you!

Response by MSgt Brian Portlock made Sep 23 at 2015 7:56 AM

2015-09-23T07:56:08-04:00

Definitely depends on your location. While I was living in NW Indiana, I usedthe two Chicago regional VA hospitals and they were great. However, since moving back to Columbia, SC area I have used Dorn VA and I can tell you it is not good at all. Terribly understaffed, and takes forever to get an appointment. I am currently seeing a local chiropractor, and I never knew how much better civilian treatment was until now! Wow, to actually have a doctor LISTEN to me and change the course of treatment du to my input, instead of just pushing pills...that's priceless. IMHO, the military and the VA are absolutely pill pushers and surgery advocates.

Response by SGT Robert Andrews made Sep 23 at 2015 12:00 PM

2015-09-23T12:00:25-04:00

I use the Va in Dallas TX. I have had good and bad experiences . The first clinic I got assigned to the doctor was rude. I was reassigned to any other clinic with good results there is a wait to get into my doctor and if I'm sick its very hard to get in. If you are able to use Tricare then iI would use the advantage of the iinsurance.

Response by SrA Angela Johnson made Sep 23 at 2015 5:48 PM

2015-09-23T17:48:22-04:00

I go to the Tucson VA and wait times can be a little long sometimes. I just called for my yearly at my primary today, and will have to wait 5 weeks. Oh well, it's just a yearly. When I have urgent need, the triage nurse calls back within a decent amount of time. The ER can sometimes be a bit of a wait, but that happens in civ ones too. Overall, I'm pretty happy with them. They've done 6 surgeries on me; their surgical dept is good and I love my surgeon. Being there so much, I've made friends with many of the employees, and they do care. A few times, I've had to be a strong advocate for myself or go to patient advocate for extra help when something wasn't happening properly. They're a teaching hospital, which means I see Fellows from the University a lot, but there's a senior doc over them always. But it also means they can order more tests because they can justify the expense as training, so they do better at diagnostics. Overall, I'm very glad I have them.

Response by LCpl James Robertson made Sep 23 at 2015 8:01 PM

2015-09-23T20:01:34-04:00

I've found its good for preventive medicine, Blood pressure, cholesterol checks, diabetes control. Major problems it gets pretty scary, for example for certain veterans in certain classification can get excellent care. Others that were not injuryed in the line of duty, can get x-rays done, but they forget to set and appointment., for things like synvisc-one injections for knees or back injuries.

Response by SFC Thomas Holcomb made Sep 24 at 2015 7:42 AM

2015-09-24T07:42:19-04:00

I have been retired medically for 1 year. Care at the Durham VA far better than the folks that i was sent to out side VA care. No knowledge of what we have Indored does make a differents. Good luck Chief stay busy lots out there for us.

Response by SSG Nick Tramontano made Sep 25 at 2015 1:41 PM

2015-09-25T13:41:16-04:00

If the care is horrible from the civilian clinic then try the VA. In most cases your primary care doc has a number of patients assigned. The clinics usually have a nurse practioner and an RN. I suppose it depends on the area and size of the clinic. Also , once you have a PC doc any non emergency appointments for specialty clinics you need or want have to have a referral from your PC doc. I usually have physicals done there as well as get my annual Flu shot....Give it a try, good luck.