What types of bad experiences have you had when dealing with the VA billing department?

GySgt Melissa Gravila — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 18:35:51 -0500

The billing reps being very rude and disrespectful over the phone, when I'very asked to speak to a supervisor, they hung up the phone!

Response by Cpl Casey Meyer made Jan 8 at 2017 6:46 PM

Cpl Casey Meyer — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 18:46:29 -0500

Where at? One option for filing a complaint/discrepancy is speaking with the patient advocate. In my experience, it's resulted in effective results Gunny.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Jan 8 at 2017 8:15 PM

SSG Robert Webster — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 20:15:14 -0500

I am one of the lucky ones. Since I am retired military, have Tricare, and VA rated 10%. There is no local military hospital since it was destroyed in a tornado, and the VA hospital is one of the local backups for military care above the clinic level.
I only had a problem once for a prescription bill for the VA Pharmacy. I told them to bill Tricare, and they said that they couldn't. I asked why, they have a reciprocal agreement. Well then what were they going to do? They are also supposed to send a prescription to the base pharmacy also, that only works half the time, the rest of the time, you have to get a paper prescription and take it yourself.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2017 8:59 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 20:59:32 -0500

Never had it to that level. I keep getting billed even though I am supposed to be under the OIF/OEF plan. I call and they fix it, but it is frustrating that their system does not account for this. I almost wonder if they do this shit on purpose to discourage the use of the VA unless it is an extreme emergency.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jan 8 at 2017 9:06 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 21:06:03 -0500

GySgt Melissa Gravila, like SSG Robert Webster, my wife and I have Tricare (for Life). Through Tricare, we have medical, Rx and dental coverage, all provided by insurance companies. We have no interaction with any federal agencies.
Coverage and customer service are excellent from all providers. It'll never happen, but your negative experiences and my positive experiences certainly gives credence to the thought of privatizing the VA.

Response by SGT Jon Creager made Jan 10 at 2017 8:06 AM

SGT Jon Creager — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 08:06:04 -0500

Kidney stone, was given the paper to seek outside the va help. Found the Dr. and the hospital. Now if you ever had a massive stone you know you are not going to price shop (Joke) anyway the bill was $21,000. then the VA refused to pay. Took 18 months for the VA to pay the damn bill. Hospital turned it over for collection and still I caught hell over the VA NON payment.

A friend had a stroke at a local music event. he was transported to the hospital in minutes. Once at the ER he was given the shot, but his Dr. decided he needed transferred to the VA hospital by Air Evac. The friend has artifacts in his brain from Nam, the Dr did not think the local hospital could handle the problems. The VA approved the flight (to Little Rock AR.) a 45 minute flight.That was four years ago, the VA still refuses to pay the Air Evac company. $16,000. flight. Even the Neurologist in the VA think the man would have died had he not been air evaced.

Sure makes you afraid to go outside the VA do to the lack of paying the bills.

Response by PO1 James Giunta made Jan 10 at 2017 8:42 AM

PO1 James Giunta — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 08:42:17 -0500

Gunny, I'm not sure how convenient your VA location is to you geographically, but I've always found that it's more effective and productive to handle these kinds of situations IN PERSON. When you're looking someone in the eye, especially if you've traveled a considerable distance to be there, it's more difficult for a reasonable person to tell you "no" and it's definitely more difficult to hang up the phone on you. If need be, you can always raise hell in the building. Thankfully, I live 10 minutes from my treating VA Hospital, but I have never had any issues such as what you describe.

Response by GySgt Joseph Jay Johnston made Jan 10 at 2017 9:44 PM

GySgt Joseph Jay Johnston — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 21:44:41 -0500

which V.A.? Location....Call Sen.Isaksons office they will handle it for you.

Response by Cpl Vic Eizenga made Jan 11 at 2017 1:52 AM

Cpl Vic Eizenga — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 01:52:35 -0500

yes that is normal. or if you pay on line they bill you you send the money then they bill you again for the same thing. then 4 months later refund all your money.

Response by SSgt Gregg Coldsnow made Jan 18 at 2017 3:27 PM

SSgt Gregg Coldsnow — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 15:27:39 -0500

Some years ago I needed the VA because I was unemployed and had no health insurance. Before I could receive treatment, I had to provide them with earnings statements from the previous 2 years in order to determine my ability to pay a share of treatment costs. I had no ability to pay, so how does the previous two years (when I was employed) bear on my current ability to pay? After treatment, which included a two-week hospital stay (adult day care) I was told I owed around $1,300.00. I agreed to set up a payment plan. On several occasions I received nasty letters to the effect that payment had not been received. I told them the check number, amount and when it was sent. Invariably they called back to say they had "found" my check on someone's desk. Don't know what it is like now, but back around 2005 their billing department stank!

Response by SSgt Timothy Smith made Feb 16 at 2017 10:31 PM

SSgt Timothy Smith — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 22:31:18 -0500

In the beginning I had minor problems, I continued to file and re-file claims until, they got tired of them. I am now at 100% permanent and total. I would rather have my health but due to agent Orange I have to many problems.