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

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

There is nothing saying you can't do both.

The VA has improved. But I went to see them with a disability after I got off active duty in 1990. They gave me such a run around, transferred to three different locations (Newington, Bridgeport, New Haven) up to 2 hours away from home. "Go find this paper, fill out this form, We need this from the Marine Corps". I walked out and didn't go back for 30 years. Went to Leeds (western Massachusetts). One appointment and disability rating issued, but now they can't find any of my original paperwork. 30 years of payments lost. Get the civilian healthcare...

As some here do I use Medicare, tri-care for life and the VA, the difference is I don’t trust the VA formwhen my health is dependent on it. I use the VA to get my meds, ex-rays, lab tests etc. if something serious is found I use civilian care. I have not had a good caring doctor since pre-COVID. I use community care to take of my standard issued army cancer from which I get 100% disability. When it was discovered by the VA, I waited for over three months for treatment, in the mean time I sought civilian care and my civilian doctor told me they got the cancer just in time after removing it. A month after the surgery I was contacted by the VA for an appointment. This was before the VA had 30 days to provide you with care.

If you have private insurance and you are seen at VA. They will bill your insurance and BCBS will count it towards your deductible, since it’s VA you will not have to pay for anything. Helped with my family deductible many years.

I have had an extremely hard time trying to find anyone who will take VA healthcare or CHAMPVA for my Dependent. I'm in a ton of debt for cancer treatments for my Dependent because of this. I'm 100% Disabled so I'm guessing that anyone with less than that will have a hard time as well. I have a Caregiver who has to drive me over 100 miles to see a VA Dr. If it weren't for Benefit Travel, I'd never get to see a Doctor.

Money can be a good reason to go with VA health

Don't if you have good health insurance. You'll have to deal with constantly changing "policies" piss poor care botched surgeries. I've had to use VAMC care for 25 years. The PCP's don't listen to the veteran. They make assumptions that could be deadly. As an example I had a heart attack followed by a stroke. They assumed I had high blood pressure even though all indications showed just the opposite to be true. First they treated me with high blood pressure medications and damn near killed me. Then with beta blockers damn near killed me again. The VA doesn't take responsibility for anything they do wrong.

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.

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.