Why is the VA so FUBAR'd?

[Diggin It]

I didn't even know about the VIC card until I saw it mentioned here. Went to the site. Read up on it. Figured I'd send away for one. The process asked a bunch of questions, I filled it all out. Got some emails I replied to. Got some stuff in the mail I sent back. Some of it mentioned medical which I didn't think I was eligible for, but I figured if they were asking, I'd answer. Got some phone calls asking for more information. Got the VIC card in the mail a couple of months later.

Then I get a booklet outlining medical benefits with my name personalized into the text and charts.

Then more phone calls, letters and emails. Make contact with 'Registration' and during the discussion of other things, find out that I had fat fingered my DOB, but that's it's almost hard coded and nobody can change it without a bunch more falderall.

So then I get calls and contacts wanting to schedule an initial appointment for a basic evaluation and lab tests. Somewhere in the process of scheduling, I find out that my local Clinic (about 40 miles away) is attached to a regional center over 100 miles away in another state rather than the regional center 80 miles away in my state. So, now I'm getting contacts from both centers .....

And I still don't know the extent of coverages beyond the sketchy information in the booklet or if this is supposed to be primary care or secondary behind any other coverage or how it will be affected by Medicare, if at all.

The more questions I ask, the more confused I get.

 

[RalphVa]

Yeah. I always lie to UVa when they ask whether I'm covered by other insurance, etc. I'm not covered by the VA because I choose not to be. It should be integrated into the rest of the system, not have separate clinics, etc.

I've a friend, retired marine, who got free hearing aids. I paid $4,000 for mine. Just don't want to get involved with the VA. I joined the VA, not their medical, once and didn't enjoy it. They pester me to rejoin, offering prizes.

Ralph

 

[fried1765]

Yeah. I always lie to UVa when they ask whether I'm covered by other insurance, etc. I'm not covered by the VA because I choose not to be. It should be integrated into the rest of the system, not have separate clinics, etc.

I've a friend, retired marine, who got free hearing aids. I paid $4,000 for mine. Just don't want to get involved with the VA. I joined the VA, not their medical, once and didn't enjoy it. They pester me to rejoin, offering prizes.

Ralph

I have absolutely NO IDEA what this is all about!

I am nearly 80 years old, and have been using VA services as well as Medicare for 15 years.
I have had ZERO VA problems (Florida).

 

[deserteagle71]

I'm also nearing 80 years old and carry a VA Medical card but have never used their services, mainly due to the red tape and the delays involved. Whenever I talk to someone who is advocating that we give up our current health care system and let the Federal Government take over I tell them of the many problems I and other vets have had trying to access the system and ask them if that's what they want for themselves? People forget the headlines of a year or so ago when the VA system failures were big news and vets were dying while waiting for care.

 

[Roadworthy]

I don't have a VIC. I inquired about getting one a few years ago and never got a response. Now I find it's easy to apply online. After reading the above I'm not sure I WANT one. If I wish to prove my time and dates of service I'll just carry my DD 214 and call it good. If they ever reopen licensing offices I can even have "veteran" added to my driver license by showing my DD 214. Yes, I receive a small stipend from the VA and have a very old paper card with my VA number. I'll call that good. Thanks for the information.

 

[Budweiser John]

I served for 6 years in the USCG and reserve over 50 years ago and the last place I would turn for medical care is the VA or the US Government.

B. John

 

[KennyG]

I'm not a veteran but I have several relatives and friends who have experience in the VA system. The problem is the lack of consistency. At some facilities and for some issues, the care could not be better. In other cases they seem to be worthless. I think anyone needs to be able to bail out of the system if the care doesn't seem to be adequate.

 

[747driver]

I am 68...going on 69 !I have the VA health card due to service connected illness. I did get free hearing aids for life but hearing loss is not quite bad enough for a momentary award. I do get 10% for Tinnitus. That is a easy claim to win if you were exposed to high noise work areas. I don't care to use the VA for health issues as i like my private drs. better. But i always know if times get bad i have the VA to help me. I was exposed to Agent Orange during Vietnam. VA has denied me 3 times ! I have Multiple Mylemoa and Nephropathy. Had to just give it to a Lawyer to deal with now. Thanks to everyone who served !!

 

[defranks]

I love the VA facilities and staff. I have good insurance from work, Blue Cross, but I choose to use the VA for primary care. They accept my insurance just like any other doctor might. (You still must be eligible, of course.) I've always been treated with respect, and have never had a bad experience. My late father and my uncle both used the VA health providers, too, and both were treated right.

I've heard lots of people complain about the VA, but my experience has been 100% positive.

 

[Diggin It]

They accept my insurance just like any other doctor might. (You still must be eligible, of course.)

That's another part I don't get. If they bill insurance like any other provider, why the eligibility issue? It's not a Government benefit that way.