10% off gonna break me

[smstonypoint]

I don't understand why EVERY VETERAN does not go to the VA and sign up. It is "free" health insurance. EVERY VETERAN who is honerably discharged is qualified. If you have other health insurance then your co-pay could be eliminated if you go to the VA for healthcare.

As I understand it, the VA has priority ratings for obtaining VA medical care. I think I would fall in the lowest priority group (#8) -- Veterans with gross household income above the VA and the geographically-adjusted income limits for their resident location and who agrees to pay copays. Priority Groups - Health Benefits.

I don't know how long it would take me to get an appointment, but I would be at the bottom of the waiting list and I would expect to be bumped (and rightfully so) by folks with a higher priority.

I have a friend who received a Purple Heart in Vietnam and who makes use of VA medical benefits. As far as I know, he has been satisfied with his VA medical care. My only direct experience with VA medical care has been visiting my father (a WWI vet) and my FIL (a WWII vet) in VA hospitals in their final days. Based on that experience, I wouldn't want to spend my final days in a VA facility.

I have Medicare Part B supplemental and prescription drug insurance coverage though my former employer at a reasonable cost. I'm happy with that arrangement.

Steve

Addendum

Looking at some of the fine print for Priority Group 8, I don't think I could enroll based on the income criterion.

 

[Deere Dude]

As I understand it, the VA has priority ratings for obtaining VA medical care. I think I would fall in the lowest priority group (#8) -- Veterans with gross household income above the VA and the geographically-adjusted income limits for their resident location and who agrees to pay copays. Priority Groups - Health Benefits.

I don't know how long it would take me to get an appointment, but I would be at the bottom of the waiting list and I would expect to be bumped (and rightfully so) by folks with a higher priority.

I have a friend who received a Purple Heart in Vietnam and who makes use of VA medical benefits. As far as I know, he has been satisfied with his VA medical care. My only direct experience with VA medical care has been visiting my father (a WWI vet) and my FIL (a WWII vet) in VA hospitals in their final days. Based on that experience, I wouldn't want to spend my final days in a VA facility.

I have Medicare Part B supplemental and prescription drug insurance coverage though my former employer at a reasonable cost. I'm happy with that arrangement.

Steve

Addendum

Looking at some of the fine print for Priority Group 8, I don't think I could enroll based on the income criterion.

I understand that they changed that rule half a year ago so income and savings won't be a factor in giving a card although a higher copay may still exist.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I didn't say otherwise. I was speaking to the case of the ID that passed muster in the past. The year-round discount policy is relatively new.

Steve

I've been getting year round discounts with my va card at Lowes and HD for nearly 20 years.

 

[zmountaineer]

As I understand it, the VA has priority ratings for obtaining VA medical care. I think I would fall in the lowest priority group (#8) -- Veterans with gross household income above the VA and the geographically-adjusted income limits for their resident location and who agrees to pay copays. Priority Groups - Health Benefits.

I don't know how long it would take me to get an appointment, but I would be at the bottom of the waiting list and I would expect to be bumped (and rightfully so) by folks with a higher priority.

I have a friend who received a Purple Heart in Vietnam and who makes use of VA medical benefits. As far as I know, he has been satisfied with his VA medical care. My only direct experience with VA medical care has been visiting my father (a WWI vet) and my FIL (a WWII vet) in VA hospitals in their final days. Based on that experience, I wouldn't want to spend my final days in a VA facility.

I have Medicare Part B supplemental and prescription drug insurance coverage though my former employer at a reasonable cost. I'm happy with that arrangement.

Steve

Addendum

Looking at some of the fine print for Priority Group 8, I don't think I could enroll based on the income criterion.

An appointment at the va I work at has virtually no wait list. Any priority would be seen within 30 days to establish care.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I've been receiving va care since 1971 to one degree or another. I started using it as my primary care nearly 20 years ago. I am totally pleased with the care I gavhave received. My WW2 father and father-in-law both relied on va carefor the last 10 years or so of their lives. When I took my 80 year old father there for the first time, he was amazed and raved to everyone he knew about the quality of care and the great people he encountered. He had va staff coming to his home weekly to care for him when he became homebound. I will be forever grateful to the VA for the care they gave him, and what they do still do for me.

 

[smstonypoint]

I understand that they changed that rule half a year ago so income and savings won't be a factor in giving a card although a higher copay may still exist.

Here's a screenshot of the Priority Group 8 requirements. It looks looks like I fall under subpriority g based on my income and thus I am not eligible for enrollment.

Steve

 

[TnAndy]

I have Medicare Part B supplemental and prescription drug insurance coverage though my former employer at a reasonable cost. I'm happy with that arrangement.

Steve

Yeah, I don't use the VA except for a primary care visit once every 2 yrs to keep my 'file open' (I guess it means you're still breathing ?)....it costs me $15 copay, whereas my Medicare supplement has a zero copay for my outside doc.

 

[fried1765]

I don't understand why EVERY VETERAN does not go to the VA and sign up. It is "free" health insurance. EVERY VETERAN who is honerably discharged is qualified. If you have other health insurance then your co-pay could be eliminated if you go to the VA for healthcare.

Yup!
You have it figured out ....exactly!
Some apparently are unwilling to make the effort to determine what is available to them.
I use Medicare, and the VA.

 

[Gunny]

I use the VA for primary care, usually get an appointment within 4-5 days of calling in for semi annual checkups and I'm completely satisfied with them, but I don't think I'd want to go into any VA hospital

 

[TheMan419]

My father would not qualify for anything if income or assets were taken into account. He has a VA card. Does not really use it for his primary care. However he had some obscure medication that he needed. Would have cost him like $400/mo without the VA. With the VA cost is like $10/mo.

I will have to remind him about his Lowes/HD discounts.