Veterans Administration Choice Card Program

2015-02-16T18:25:08-05:00

According to veterans and some VA doctors the "choice card program" mean to reduce long patient wait times, is confusing and causing more stress.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federal-eye/wp/2015/02/16/it-was-meant-to-reduce-wait-times-but-veterans-say-new-choice-cards-are-causing-more-problems/

It was meant to reduce wait times, but veterans say new choice cards are causing more problems

Veterans say they are being denied the use of their new choice cards. Even VA doctors say they are confused.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 16 at 2015 6:40 PM

2015-02-16T18:40:09-05:00

I have a Choice card.

I live in Stafford. I VA Med Center is Richmond (Where my records are located). It is 70~ miles from my house. The DC Med Center is 40~ miles from my house. There is a CBOC 20~ miles from my house.

When I tried to get my VHIC (Vet Health ID Card), I couldn't even get a straight answer about who could take my picture, until the 4th attempt.

As it stands now, I'll use my private insurance before I even try to use my VA coverage, rather than risk getting a bill from the VA.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2015 8:20 PM

2015-02-16T20:20:19-05:00

I have a card but haven't done anything with it yet. I live 100 miles from my VA hospital/Primary Care Doctor. I do get mileage reimbursement, but it is a pain in the ass to drive 200 miles roundtrip just to get a blood draw or another simple appointment. I'll be very interested to hear from anyone that has actually used their card or has any information about issues they have encountered.

Another twist is I start receiving Medicare insurance coverage March 1st, which I'm told becomes primary over Tricare, and I don't have a choice about it. I'm not sure how it will work out with Medicare/Tricare vs. VA Choice Card. Anyone who has any experience I'd really like to hear from you.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 2:02 AM

2016-02-18T02:02:04-05:00

So I was just given access to this program and when told by the VA that it was to reduce wait times because they could not get me in in less than 30 days, I was excited. Then about a week later I was finally contacted by Vet Choice, who managed to book me a visit in about a month and a half... ahhh... .what's the point again?

Response by SPC Anna Larson made Jun 24 at 2016 11:11 AM

2016-06-24T11:11:36-04:00

Trying to use the choice card program definitely causes stress. One of my co-workers tried to get an appointment to refill his blood pressure meds through the VA. He called in April and needed an appointment by July when his prescription expired. The VA told him they couldn't get him in until August. He's located 60 miles from a VA clinic and 100 miles from a VA hospital. He asked for permission to use the choice card and even though he meets the distance from a VA facility, they told him he'd still have to wait the 30 days past appointment request date in order to be approved. It took him days to get the issue resolved so he could go to a local DR.