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

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!

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.

Easy Question, And From My Personal Experience, Choose The One From Which You Receive The Best Medical Care.~ My Choice Was "South West Medical Associates" ~ The VA Damned Nearly Killed Me - Literally. ~ But As We Hear & Know, As With Anything Else, It Depends Upon Your Location & The Staff Serving Your Needs. - "It's The People Employed There".

One Friday evening, I experience some irregular beating of my heart. I did NOT want to go to the civilian hospital emergency room near me. The emergency room of my local hospital is always crowded and the wait times are always long. So I decided to go to the emergency room at the VA local hospital near me. I went there, I was immediately seen, tested and told that I had a benign extra beat of my heart. They offered to keep me in the hospital over the weekend, for further tasting on Monday. but because I was was not in immediate danger, I decline the offer to stay and followed up with my cardiologist that following Monday. I have ALWAYS found that the VA has given me great care and the fact I get in and out of their emergency room very quickly is why I go to the VA for treatment. The VA medical team actually saved my life by diagnosing my unknown blocked artery. I will NEVER complain about the care I get at the VA.

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

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.

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.

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

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!

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.