What are some considerations when deciding between using VA healthcare versus a private plan?

Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 13:20:10 -0400

I'm a veteran thinking about enrolling in VA healthcare but also have civilian health care with Blue Cross Blue Shield. What are some considerations that should go into this decision?

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Apr 9 at 2024 1:20 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 13:20:50 -0400

One consideration is your family. Do you have others on your plan?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2024 1:38 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 13:38:49 -0400

I love BCBS because everyone takes it.
It doesn't hurt to enroll in the VA but if you only use the VA you have to go to the VA so it depends how close you are to them. I have to drive past maybe 10 hospitals to get to my local VA where I can walk to a doctor that takes BCBS.

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Apr 9 at 2024 2:01 PM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 14:01:26 -0400

I have Tricare for Life plus MEDICARE but I still use the VA whenever possible. I believe they are a little more in tune with the Veteran community.

Response by COL Randall C. made Apr 9 at 2024 2:06 PM

COL Randall C. — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 14:06:51 -0400

First, if you're eligible*, there is no reason you wouldn't enroll in VA healthcare. There are no premiums that you would pay.

One big caveat. While all veterans who have met the basic criteria (i.e., 24 continuous months of active duty, reservist ordered to active duty, etc.) can enroll in VA healthcare, if you are a "Priority Group 8"*, don't have a service-connected disability (or don't have a rating of 10%+) and don't meet income thresholds, then you aren't eligible for treatment (you'll be in the system, but currently won't be able to get treatment for non-service connected issues).

If you are the only person that you need to consider healthcare for, and you're eligible for VA healthcare, the other considerations about getting BCBS come down to really one main factor - flexibility.

VA healthcare means you will be treated at a VA medical center or though the community care program. You can't go to a non-VA doctor unless the VA refers you there. BCBS on the other hand can be used at any participating doctor.

If you're looking at it from a purely cost basis, VA healthcare will usually win out because there are no premiums and in most comparisons, the co-pay* rates will beat out BCBS rates (even if they don't, remember - no premiums).
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* VA health care eligibility - https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/
* VA co-pay rates - https://www.va.gov/health-care/copay-rates/
* VA priority groups - https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/priority-groups/

Eligibility for VA health care | Veterans Affairs

Find out if you can get VA health care as a Veteran.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 9 at 2024 2:33 PM

Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 14:33:54 -0400

As mentioned by COL Randall C., enrolling for VA Healthcare is the right choice. By enrolling, you will increase your healthcare options. Overall, my treatment at the VA has been better than what I have experienced on the civilian side.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Apr 9 at 2024 5:24 PM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 17:24:49 -0400

Means testing made my decision for me, though I had already made the same decision

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Apr 10 at 2024 11:21 AM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 11:21:44 -0400

I have both VA and private (not BCBS) insurance. For me, the VA isn't really convenient because I have to drive over an hour to the nearest VA facility. I see a private sector provider that is 3 minutes from my current employment location. If I travel from home, the commute is about 15 minutes.

I still maintain my VA benefits because you never know when tragedy might strike and it become the only healthcare available to me. At least I'm already enrolled and established as a patient in the system.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2024 6:52 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 18:52:45 -0400

I have TRICARE for Live and Medicare but I am enrolled at the VA. I use the eye clinic to get a new pair of glasses every year. For me TRICARE, BENEFEDS and Medicare are working but I want to leave my options open.

Response by SP5 Arthur Vines made Apr 17 at 2024 8:56 PM

SP5 Arthur Vines — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 20:56:45 -0400

In my case, the consideration boils down to how far away the VA facility is, but also on comparing VA care to the private HMO or PPO. I use VA and also keep my private insurance. I have a local VA clinic for routine care, but all specialists and the actual hospital is 45 minutes or more. I feel that I have received better care at the VA, honestly. But I would rather be hospitalized closer to home if I had to be hospitalized so that my family could spend more time with me, so I would use a hospital my insurance covers. And I pay a copay to see a nearby private podiatrist rather than drive to the VA every 3 months, just for the convenience. This visit takes 30-40 minutes to the local guy, where it could take 2.5 - 3 hours to drive to the VA, park, walk a long way to the VA hospital and wait for an elevator, check in, wait my turn, get treated, then reverse back through the giant parking lot to the car, and drive home in nasty traffic. So having VA as well as private insurance works for me, but then my private insurance is not too expensive (medicare advantage). I love VA medical, and I would choose it if I had to choose one or the other.

Response by PFC Clifford Kelley made Apr 18 at 2024 8:38 AM

PFC Clifford Kelley — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 08:38:29 -0400

I only use the VA when I have no other choice. They had their chance to kill me and almost succeeded! They performed a colonoscopy without enough anesthesia. I was begging them to stop but they continued until I had a seizure. When I complained to the "patients advocate" I told "Mr. Kelley you get free healthcare I don't know what you are complaining about!" By the time I got back to my room on the 5th floor they had my discharge papers waiting. My wife had to rush me to the ER at 01:00 the Doctors had to remove 2/3 of my colon and 6in of my small intestines due to hemorrhaging. And the VA still didn't care! Luckily I live far enough from the VA to be able to go to outside Drs.

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Apr 19 at 2024 6:39 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 06:39:44 -0400

I’m a Brit nam veteran and I can tell you GO TO A CIVILIAN DOCTOR!

Response by Cpl Dale Nosbisch made Apr 19 at 2024 3:30 PM

Cpl Dale Nosbisch — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 15:30:46 -0400

1st are you service connect? If yes go to VA if over 30% the VA will pay travel for service connected disabilities.
If you need mental health treatment always go to VA because even if you are not a combat Veteran Most Civilian Counselors do not understand what your life experiences are.
On the other hand Blue Cross is a good Insurance so for other care.
I would suggest to sign up for VA because if you change your employer you will still have coverage Between private insurance.

Response by Ray Barraquias made Apr 22 at 2024 10:49 AM

Ray Barraquias — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 10:49:27 -0400

Health care benefits how to get This A's Care giver of veterans from 1980 when I was 16 year old I help my mother to care the veterans full time I care then from hospital and our home us member of veterans house hold from 1980 up to his death in 1985 and how I can avail this as family caregiver of veterans from 1998 my mother was suffering of many illness I am a Care giver of spouse of veterans up to she died on June 2 2002;I am fully time to serve my mother.how I can get caregiver as family caregiver of veterans and spouse anyone to answer me

Response by 1SG Steven Malkowski made Apr 22 at 2024 12:54 PM

1SG Steven Malkowski — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 12:54:45 -0400

I have a very good BC/BS plan from my former civilian employer (retired law enforcement). It's so good that I declined Medicare, thereby forgoing my eleigibility for Tricare For Life (I'm also retired Army, NG). I have never used the VA. My main consideration is that I consider my problems, service connected or not, to be minor compared to all those who were combat wounded and disabled. I keep telling myself to enroll in VA Health, but I keep putting it off. I don't want to avail myself of a system that I don't really need, but is so vital to so many others.

Response by CW2 Michael MacInerney made Apr 22 at 2024 3:55 PM

CW2 Michael MacInerney — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 15:55:33 -0400

I have Medicare and TRICARE for life and all care is without cost. Medications can be through a local military base or ESCRIPTS for $14. I am enrolled in the VA (70% disabled), but I prefer the flexibility of choosing a doctor that I feel gives me best service.

Response by Ray Barraquias made Apr 22 at 2024 10:00 PM

Ray Barraquias — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 22:00:46 -0400

It is competences VA health care and private plan

Response by PO1 Carole Speese made Apr 26 at 2024 4:04 AM

PO1 Carole Speese — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 04:04:17 -0400

They are improving, except that guy who told me.....You had plenty of time to get a pre-approval before your auto accident

Response by SSG Phil Lockit made May 18 at 2024 10:33 PM

SSG Phil Lockit — Sat, 18 May 2024 22:33:07 -0400

Go with VA health care. If you have Tricare for life as well that is all that you need. Medicare part a and b

Response by Sgt Yolanda Sullivan made May 24 at 2024 1:22 PM

Sgt Yolanda Sullivan — Fri, 24 May 2024 13:22:28 -0400

I have private and VA healthcare. I use both depending on the procedure. I have 4 stents put in through the VA healthcare. No way in hell I would have walked out without paying a cent using my private insurance. I had to go to the emergency room twice because my bp was over 200 and kept overnight, again no money out my pocket. My cardiologist whom I use under my private insurance only cost me $40 per visit. If anything major arises, she sends me to the VA.

Response by SSG Gregg Mourizen made Jun 1 at 2024 7:53 PM

SSG Gregg Mourizen — Sat, 01 Jun 2024 19:53:46 -0400

There is nothing saying you can't do both.

Response by SrA Cecelia Eareckson made Jun 2 at 2024 12:21 AM

SrA Cecelia Eareckson — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 00:21:58 -0400

I use a hybrid of VA and outside providers. Not knowing if you are a man or woman, the VA is absolutely dismal for my needs. Even my arthritis knows what sex I am; the VA not so much. So, it's important. My outside providers keep up better, sending me (ex-smoker over 65) for CT lung scans four years before the VA. What I mostly use the VA for is prescriptions. Which can be a hassle. You don't have to pick one or the other,but you will have to have at least annual visits to a VA Primary Care.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2024 4:12 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Jun 2024 16:12:31 -0400

Response by SGT Juan Robledo made Jun 3 at 2024 8:51 PM

SGT Juan Robledo — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 20:51:14 -0400

I would still want an Outside Doctor following my care

Response by MSgt Allen Chandler made Jun 14 at 2024 1:30 PM

MSgt Allen Chandler — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 13:30:11 -0400

I use mostly civilian doctors because I have TRICARE and they’re closer to my house but I also use the VA which is about 25 minutes away for many things and feel they do a good job also. One thing I would suggest you consider is the ease of getting an appointment and the receptionist check-in room. No matter how good the doctor is if you have a hassle getting to see him or her then I think you should look for a different doctor.

Response by SPC Michael Budzinski made Jun 24 at 2024 1:41 AM

SPC Michael Budzinski — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 01:41:38 -0400

Point blank the VA sucks. Only thing good for is medication. If 100% and fight can get TriWest, another story. The VA is short staffed and will downplay injuries to delay treatment and surgery. They will lie about medical notes and change X-rays. There’s even a PowerPoint presentation shown to doctors reminding them that Tort claims can be filed within 2yrs and to go over notes making sure doesn’t show liability. Have proof of everything and much worse. Do you know that the VA pays search engines like Google to post negative information at the later pages. Employ doctors with suspected licenses. Give lofty bonuses showing meet goals for service time and procedures. If like the VA either lucky or haven’t been seriously sick or injured. If only place to go, better than nothing. The VA pays avg salaries, give bonuses, best benefits (employees go elsewhere for care), 40hr work week, a ridiculous amount of days off and yet can’t hire or keep doctors and nurses. Some doctors have figured out to hire through agencies as sub contractors. There they receive almost everything as a full time employee but collect daily housing and food allowances which are big money. Supposed to help fill the gap with short staff and supposed to be short term. My doctor who did absolutely nothing was there 10yrs before someone said must hire as full time and she bolted to Texas because that extra pay. Could go on hours especially telling one story probably didn’t think possible. The most powerful union in the world and many are lazy except when playing the fiddle. Best case keep a PCP in case a must need situation, but Medicare and the VA pharmacy is the best bet. Another thing is how they hide the suicide rates which can be 5-7% higher. Will change shortly with over 50% of veterans using the VA are over 65 so the population will have a major decrease in the next 10+ years, what will happen then? GB

Response by SCPO Rick Hunter made Jun 26 at 2024 8:46 AM

SCPO Rick Hunter — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 08:46:10 -0400

As a Retiree, I have TriCare for Life but were it not for the VA HCA I wouldn't be getting any healthcare at all since I live in a very rural area where the nearest physician that may accept Tri-Care is about 100 miles away. There's a really good CBOC less than 50 miles away. Not ideal, still better than 100. Initially, I enrolled in VA care as a back up to my TriCare Prime. Lucky I did because I lost that when I moved away from an MTF.

Response by SGT John Ledet made Jun 26 at 2024 12:20 PM

SGT John Ledet — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 12:20:10 -0400

These days the VA hospital's are way more advanced than the civilian hospitals. The medical equipment and facilities and doctors out does any and every civilian hospitals iv been in. Trust me since 2008 iv had major surgeries 2 disk replaced in my neck along with a spinal cord injury. Then curious of the liver which caused liver cancer cut half of my liver off and removed my gallbladder which saved my life again. Recently had treatment for lung cancer saved my life. Then the lining of my esophagus burst and the ambulance brought me to a civilian hospitals I coded out because I blead out. They brought me back only by the Grace of God and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Amen. That was the most memorable time of my life they put me in a induced coma for a month when I did wake up I couldn't talk walk nor do anything to help myself. They treated me very bad and when I was able to talk again almost another month later I asked to be transferred to the Durham VA hospital and they wouldn't do it and kept me helpless on sleeping pills and medicine I was allergic to and they don't try to communicate with the VA hospital to get my medical treatment records.

Response by LT James Fox made Jun 27 at 2024 7:59 PM

LT James Fox — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 19:59:07 -0400

It took me about 3 years to go from 30% to 100% disability under the VA. I primarily use the VA healthcare system over my Humana/Medicare with Tricare for Life plans. If you are not Medicare age and you are at 100% disability with the VA, you can "possibly" get SSDI with Medicare. There is a two year wait once you start collecting SSDI. I was able to get SSDI at age 55, then Medicare kicked in 2 years later. If you are eligible for Tricare for Life except reaching age 65, and you meet Medicare guidelines then you will be able to get Tricare for Life at age 60. This is what happened with me. The only problem with the Tricare for Life is that a lot of people at Tricare was not aware a person can be age 60 and qualify for Tricare. If you are above 50% VA disability you qualify for free medical with VA (Priority 1) and you do not have to pay for most services. If you are below 50% then you will be paying fees/copays. You would have to refer to the VA website for detailed information. Dental however, you need to be at 100% OR 90% and unemployable.
As far as appointments and care. Sometime appointments are out a few months, depending on what you need to seen for. But I have similar issues using my Humana plan as well with scheduling. The VA care in Las Vegas has been exceptional for me over the past 4 years.
I am not an expert on any of this, but I have been through all of the trials and tribulations of VA, Tricare and Medicare. I would up each area online to find out more information if you need it. Hope this helps anyway. The COL has listed the websites for VA in his post.

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Jun 29 at 2024 7:13 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 07:13:48 -0400

You get bull from the VA, you won’t get that from the private sector.

Response by SGT Chad King made Jun 30 at 2024 2:04 PM

SGT Chad King — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 14:04:27 -0400

I will ALWAYS choose VA healthcare over private.
I don't ever need to speak with an insurance claims adjuster. That alone is worth the price of admission. I'm in the Chicago area and the VA service is top notch here so I recieve care that is on par or better than what my colleagues in the office pay for. I was AD for 5 years, I don't have a family to worry about, and I have a 40% rating.

Response by SFC Carlos Cruz made Jul 2 at 2024 4:04 PM

SFC Carlos Cruz — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 16:04:45 -0400

I want to emphasize that based on my experience, I have received excellent medical care from Walter Reed since my retirement in 2015. As time has passed, I have found that military installations provide the best care for me. When I visited the VA, they advised me to continue receiving care at the military hospital, and I haven't had any issues since I have Tricare for life.

Response by Cpl George Matousek made Jul 21 at 2024 12:39 PM

Cpl George Matousek — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 12:39:23 -0400

Of course sign up for VA care. When considering which to use depends on you civilian policy and what is covered, also location of VA to you. Semper Fi

Response by Col Dan Ketter made Jul 21 at 2024 11:16 PM

Col Dan Ketter — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 23:16:09 -0400

There is really no reason not to carry both. 1 is free and the other does cost. I have Medicare as well as Tricare. But you really need both. I had a procedure covered by Medicare but I was billed $10K. Luckly Tricare covered the balance

Response by SGT Louis Perrault made Jul 28 at 2024 11:49 PM

SGT Louis Perrault — Sun, 28 Jul 2024 23:49:15 -0400

1st, I have bcbs thru retirement from my former employer. My wife uses it with champva, for her it's great....still costs me $500 per month. I use the VA and have since 2017 and have very few complaints. I get great care. The VA will send bills to your medical insurance

Response by Lt Col Rick Clifton made Aug 29 at 2024 4:30 PM

Lt Col Rick Clifton — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 16:30:57 -0400

Tricare for life and Medicare. I get prescriptions at base when I can but I'm a little far away so primarily use Express Scripts. I use private physicians. Convenience and my feeling of quality of care.

Response by SSG Raul Alaniz made Aug 30 at 2024 4:43 PM

SSG Raul Alaniz — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 16:43:31 -0400

Personally, I have Tricare for Life and Medicare, I enjoy not having to wait when I go to see my PCP, as a Retiree I have that luxury, I also feel that someone can have my slot in the VA Hospital, I know that if for whatever reason I truly need VA Care, it’s not far away, so far so good, and this is just me, my choice.

Response by CWO4 Tim Hecht made Sep 2 at 2024 1:27 AM

CWO4 Tim Hecht — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 01:27:05 -0400

I’m retired and am a 100% disabled vet. I am covered by Medicare Parts A and B; TRICARE For Life; Brook Army Hospital here in San Antonio provide us with a Primary Care Provider plus if space is available then we can go to their clinics. I am also covered by the VA.

It works for me!

Response by SSG Donald Kuhns made Sep 2 at 2024 2:47 PM

SSG Donald Kuhns — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 14:47:27 -0400

There are not enough of your information to answer this so this is my experience. Shortly prior to my retirement from my service I applied for a service connected disability rating which was granted at over 50%. Though there are changes over the years, the VA will take care of all your needs save non-connected dental, unless you are 100%. They send a yearly verification that you are exempted from private health care for tax purposes. This being said, the VA takes care of all my needs, 3 heart surgeries, 4 bouts of cancer, cataract surgery, other surgeries, weight control, mental health, often (due to my distance from a VA hospital) through local medical care companies. I haven't researched yet the ramifications of medicare because I'm short of the reqorement to obtain it. When traveling in the US or it's territories, I can go to any VA. Outside of the country I can get service through Tri-care as well as at some military bases. So depending on your service connected rating through the VA, the determination of a civilian coverage is up in the air. FYI: at 0 to 49% service connected ratings there are varying degrees of co-pay off set by medicare or your other private insurance. You have some research to do, I suggest VA advocate services and DAV counseling services to get you started on makong an informed choice.

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Sep 3 at 2024 7:22 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 07:22:27 -0400

Think about it long and hard some of my experiences with the VA has not been the best care on the other hand some of the care has been ok, I’ve noticed that being a viet nam vet compared to 9/11 vets get the better treatment

Response by MAJ Chuck Waryk made Sep 3 at 2024 12:44 PM

MAJ Chuck Waryk — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 12:44:15 -0400

Any wait for an appointment/procedure 60 days or longer makes the veteran eligible for the VA's Community Care Program where a referral will be made to a local provider (there is another part of CC using travel distance the criteria). Participation in the Million Veteran project helps medical researchers access real-life large population of medical diagnostic, treatments, and outcomes where all PI & PII are scrubbed so HIPPA compliant. All my records and prescriptions (minus dental) are in one electronic system accessible wherever there is a VA facility (as well as from your personal MyHealtheVet account so you can make copies available to a non-VA provider).
Two drawbacks 1) A co-pay/deductible for some of the Priority Groups 2) I have only had one bad experience with an assigned care giver/VA employee - but it is little different from your luck of the draw either from a DoD or non-VA civilian provider.

Response by SMSgt Jeff Kyle made Sep 4 at 2024 2:24 AM

SMSgt Jeff Kyle — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 02:24:45 -0400

I have Tricare for life, Medicare part A&B and am 100% P&T with the VA. I had wrist surgery in April of this year and so far, I don’t owe anyone anything. The majority of my care is through the VA. I have to use a non-VA pain clinic for pain treatment, since the VA refuses to properly manage my pain issues. Getting mental health care is a right pain in the ass. I’ve been through 6-7 different counselors and have to restart treatment for my PTSD/TBI every time I change providers.
I help my kids pay for their BCBS. They’re crazy expensive! $2,000+/- a month for my daughter and $400+/- a month for my son. If I wasn’t able to pay their costs, they wouldn’t have any medical care. BCBS is a great insurance provider but if you are in the lower income brackets, you’ll never be able to afford them.

Response by SGT Keith Smith made Sep 9 at 2024 11:03 AM

SGT Keith Smith — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 11:03:52 -0400

After being in the VA health care system for 14 years, the first thing to consider is the quality of care. So if your issues are not complicated then free care and pay to and from your appointment is a strong reason to do it. As long as you qualify that is. If on the other hand you have complicated issues then the VA may not be the best. Unfortunately mine are complicated and the VA try’s to address one issue without treating any of the others. Some they have just ignored completely. My ankles are an example. They are not aligned properly and I only found out last year I needed inserts. This has been one of the reasons my knees are hurting me.
Next is distance to and from the clinic. Makes little since to do a two hour drive even with reimbursement of travel.
Next is medication. If you are taking daily medications then the fact they are free and after the initial in person pick up, they can be mailed to you saving you a trip.
So if you can and it works then yes if you can. If you would get the same level of care then yes again. However if your provider gives better care then stick with it. Keep in mind you still have to do yearly physicals

Response by CPL LeChonne Wright made Dec 18 at 2024 10:58 PM

CPL LeChonne Wright — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 22:58:29 -0500

One of the bigger pros of private health care is you can contribute to your HSA if it's a HDHP. If the VA becomes aware of your private healthcare they will bill your private Healthcare for portions of your VA care. All said, you can keep the money you're paying out of you check. Keep your dental through your company. There are certai criteria for qualifying foe VA dental. You get 1 eye care visit a year with the VA.

Response by CPL Jack Rand made Jan 11 at 2025 3:24 PM

CPL Jack Rand — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 15:24:11 -0500

The problem I got I have been using the VA pain clinic for many years, All procedures are done by fellow doctors who don't have much experience at all, out of seven procedures I had done The only one that worked was the one I refuse to let a fellow doctor do it and told them I wanted a real doctor

Response by SrA Bruce Banner made Jan 29 at 2025 12:00 AM

SrA Bruce Banner — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 00:00:28 -0500

I’ve been using VA healthcare since August 2005 and I can say it’s improved by leaps and bounds! In 2005, with the exception of my PCP in my local CBOC, the VA was run by headless chickens! I switched to another VA in Jan 2015 and that was the first time I felt like I was receiving high quality care. I have Tricare Select Retiree and I still only trust the VA for my care because they are the most sensitive to veterans needs. I’ve had a surgery, I’m on a dozen medications that would cost me $2K a month outside of the VA since I’m 100% PT. So far I’ve used Tricare for the first time in December because a psych drug I need is currently not in VA formulary. My VA psych has to call Expresscripts for refills.
I’m also from Southern California and there’s no such thing as a bad VA here.
In summary:
2005-2014 VA Greater Los Angeles is a B-.
2015 - 2016 VA Long Beach is an A-.
2016 - current VA Loma Linda is A+!
I will only trust VA care because they have all of my active duty records from October 1999 until now Jan 2025. Get with DAV/VFW/PVA to advocate your requests and they will hold the President and Congress feet to the fire for our benefits!

DAV/VFW/AFA Life Member since 2014.

Response by CW3 Paul Smulian made Feb 11 at 2025 7:39 AM

CW3 Paul Smulian — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 07:39:48 -0500

It really depends on your proximity to the VA Hospital. If close )and eligible). By all means sign up. They offer care in the comm87nity if you need it but it is based on available VA Registered Docs. If you need Urgent ort emergency Care there are solutions for that as well.

I have been using. VA Exclusively for about 4 years. In that time I have seen my primary doc about 3 times. Keep in mind that the VA sometimes uses recently graduated students to serve you. But you always have the right to ask for another doc.

So check with Vets near you and see if they are happy with the VA. Make a visit and speak with the Patient Care folks. If you have regular docs ask them too register to be a VA Doc. (VA pays better than medicare)

Best of luck
Paul Smulian
CWO Retired

Response by CDR Mel Willard made Feb 11 at 2025 9:26 AM

CDR Mel Willard — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 09:26:33 -0500

When I retired 1983 I used civilian. Now at 89 I need different care and need VA support Finding it very difficult to coordinate all past years info with VA. If I could start over, I would use civilian but be sure everything was submitted to the VA for their records. In 1983 my disability was 50% but 2023 100%. If the records had been integrated the increase would most likely have occurred much earlier to my benefit.

Response by SP5 George Butts made Feb 23 at 2025 12:05 PM

SP5 George Butts — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:05:39 -0500

I have both VA and private coverage through my former employer. I have to buy the private coverage to get my wife covered and pay for both of us as there is no option for spouse only. In my case I prefer to use the VA system as I have had very good experience, and no premiums, Rx cost, optical or co-pay as I have a 70% disability rating, I find it faster to get VA appointments compared to my private insurance.

Response by MSgt Karl Hawes made Feb 24 at 2025 6:38 PM

MSgt Karl Hawes — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 18:38:01 -0500

I had some heart problems that the local hospital couldn't handle. The VA flew me to a regional hospital in Minnesota. Cost of flight: $56,000, heart surgery, pacemaker, and 18-day hospital stay: just over $510,000. Then there were the 36 cardio rehab sessions at just over$150.00 per session. My out-of-pocket cost: $0.00. BCBS cost would have bankrupted me. Thank you, VA!

Response by SGT Robert Creech made Feb 26 at 2025 10:33 AM

SGT Robert Creech — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 10:33:38 -0500

I have Cigna and VA health care I use the VA healthcare due the no copay for my testing and imaging and meds the ONLY reason I have Cigna is o also have Medicare PT a,b and d just to satisfy the affordable care act .
For some reason VA healthcare is not approved to satisfy the ACA and Medicare requirements

Response by SGT Lorenzo Nieto made Feb 27 at 2025 6:50 AM

SGT Lorenzo Nieto — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 06:50:35 -0500

Every person will tell you different some will say the VA sucks and the outside health care costs to much the best you can do is to go with what you feel you’re comfortable with I receive great care from the VA.

Response by SSG Scott Will made Mar 10 at 2025 10:20 PM

SSG Scott Will — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 22:20:47 -0400

I’ve had both in my lifetime, and to tell the truth, I’m very happy with the VA healthcare system. I’ve had it for over 20 years and it’s been good for me. Now do remember that not all veterans who use it are happy with it, but also at the same time some people who use private healthcare aren’t happy with their coverage. It’s something you need to look into yourself, many times veterans just don’t like the VA, maybe it’s their VA experience and location. We all can give you our own advice, but you’re going to have to learn yourself. Like I said for me I’m glad I have it, and if they can’t fit me into the schedule I get sent to a private doctor at no charge. Do remember that if you choose the VA and are not service connected, you can still use it but you may have to pay a copayment. Even using private health insurance there’s usually a copayment. If you are service connected that copayment may disappear depending on at what percentage you are rated at. Give it a try, it might be worth it to you.