Trip to the VA ER.

KathleenElsie

KathleenElsie

New member
As a DAV my health care is from the VA. Today my asthma went out of control and I needed to go into Oakland, PA. They were able to take me right in. Checked for possible other reasons from my problem breathing and were really attentive to my situation.
Sure it was an all day thing but if I had gone to a public ER it would have been just as long and not as caring. Am now on steroids for 20+ days and know if there are problems I can go back. I do understand LOL that when someone jokes with you when you are coughing your cough gets worse. Laughter is part of good medicine.
 
Been trying to get someone to answer the phone at the VA clinic. Three days and only the computer answers tells me to call back later. (the option #5 to have the front desk answer just switches to another computer that tells the phone # of the clinic already called and around and around it goes) Anyone have problems getting through to the clinics?
Problem is not worthy of 911 but sure needs to be addressed soon.
 
This problem is not only in the VA in PA but out West as Well. As a Paramedic with my community Volunteer Ambulance we frequently transport Veterans to the Ft. Harrison VA Hospital (Helena Montana) and we are required to call ahead for permission to transport to the VA. This is always a problem as they have a menu and even if you do get a Human being they usually put us on hold. If we have already started transport The Cell Phone coverage is so bad in Western Montana that you are sure to loose signal before anyone comes to the phone. Any serious condition or trauma and we are always diverted to a civilian ER. The problem is that the VA is still suffering from DECADES of staff and budget cuts. I've listened to the MT Senators and Congressman tell the public about all the improvements to the VA system but you don't need the guy from "Lie to Me" to spot the deception.
 
Veteran's Hospitals

I'm a Vet and I drive for a Veteran who needs rides to our "local" VA Hospital about 2 hours away. The Vermont VA Hospital is fairly good, but we have the same problems with phone contact most of the time. When we were in the military is was hurry up and wait. I never expect that to change, it's the nature of the beast.
 
I managed to get into the VA system in Denver after jumping through all the hoops, paperwork, etc. I'm rated at 40%, pri 2. Two months and a couple phone calls later finally learned I was never scheduled for an appointment. Just "slipped through the cracks" somehow. Finally got the appointment (another month) and decided to cancel it, because by then I really just did't feel comforable trusting my health care to them. The guy I talked to warned me I would have to go back on the waiting list to reschedule. I responded, don't worry, no problem, thanks, bye.
 
44WCF said:
I'm a Vet and I drive for a Veteran who needs rides to our "local" VA Hospital about 2 hours away. The Vermont VA Hospital is fairly good, but we have the same problems with phone contact most of the time. When we were in the military is was hurry up and wait. I never expect that to change, it's the nature of the beast.
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I would be ok if there was an option to leave a message and they will contact you when someone was available. (this is my view of hurry up and wait) No option to get a human being to help should never be acceptable.
 
KathleenElsie said:
I would be ok if there was an option to leave a message and they will contact you when someone was available. (this is my view of hurry up and wait) No option to get a human being to help should never be acceptable.
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Agreed.... I just retired from the VA...

Contact the regional call center at 1-800-827-1000.... ask for a supervisor, and tell 'em what's goin' on. Hopefully, they'll be able to assist.
 
KathleenElsie said:
I would be ok if there was an option to leave a message and they will contact you when someone was available. (this is my view of hurry up and wait) No option to get a human being to help should never be acceptable.
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We have that option here in SC. The problem is they may take two to three days to call you back if ever. First you have to talk to a nurse and wait for them to call back then they send an email to the Dr and you have to wait for their nurse to call you back. By then your problem has either gone away or you're dead.

Now appointments are my pet peeve! It takes a minimum of one month to get an appointment. My last four month primary care appointment took six months to get one. They send a card in the mail for me to make an appointment. It's usually sent two weeks prior to the time you need to see the Dr. They sent me my card and when I called they only had an opening available two months later.

General care is not too bad but any major problems I go to an outside Dr. I have Tricare for Life and Medicare so I'm pretty well covered. The problem with major care with the VA is they are a teaching facility. When you have surgery you are a guinea pig! Residents do the surgeries and problems do arise. My first hand experience has taught me not to go that route again.
 
DAV-VA medical coverage. Private won't take me and now that my husband is on Medicare we don't have company medical any longer. Till I am 65 in two years this is my only choice LOL. Wish there was an add on that those of us with service connected care could purchase something like the Medicare advantage. My only choice is the VA-ER or ergi-care at $119 a visit, then a 40 mile round trip to get prescriptions filled in Oakland.
 
Jay said:
Agreed.... I just retired from the VA...

Contact the regional call center at 1-800-827-1000.... ask for a supervisor, and tell 'em what's goin' on. Hopefully, they'll be able to assist.
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Thank you. Called this moring and funny how they could get to the front desk and the clinic found an opening tomorrow at 3:15.
 
KathleenElsie said:
Thank you. Called this moring and funny how they could get to the front desk and the clinic found an opening tomorrow at 3:15.
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Glad things worked out, and happy I could be of assistance.

Not that you need to be led by the hand, but permit me a suggestion......

When you go tomorrow, and you're standing in front of the check-in desk, the person sitting there will have an ID badge on. Ask to see it, and write their name down, (you have a right to see that badge if that person has access to your personal medical information) then ask for their telephone extension. If you meet any resistance (hopefully not) then tell them that another VA employee (ME) told you remind that person that Veterans are why they have a job at the VA. Also ask for the name and number of the patient advocate. That is another person that's paid to be on your side.

With those names and phone numbers you can bypass virtually all the computer-generated phone menus.

The vast majority of VA employees will do whatever they can for a Veteran, but alas, some just "have a job". The many years I worked there, I ruffled lots of management feathers, but I took care of the Veterans, as best I could.

Thanks for your service....
 
Jay said:
Glad things worked out, and happy I could be of assistance.

Not that you need to be led by the hand, but permit me a suggestion......

When you go tomorrow, and you're standing in front of the check-in desk, the person sitting there will have an ID badge on. Ask to see it, and write their name down, (you have a right to see that badge if that person has access to your personal medical information) then ask for their telephone extension. If you meet any resistance (hopefully not) then tell them that another VA employee (ME) told you remind that person that Veterans are why they have a job at the VA. Also ask for the name and number of the patient advocate. That is another person that's paid to be on your side.

With those names and phone numbers you can bypass virtually all the computer-generated phone menus.

The vast majority of VA employees will do whatever they can for a Veteran, but alas, some just "have a job". The many years I worked there, I ruffled lots of management feathers, but I took care of the Veterans, as best I could.

Thanks for your service....
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LOL lead me. I'll take any help I can get and pass it on to others. I also understand that our clinic is way understaffed. What with all of us that are eligible for the care and the lack of other health services for many of us it has overwhelmed them in many ways. When people tell me they are all for the public option in healthcare I tell them to "watch what you wish for you just might get it".
 
KathleenElsie said:
LOL lead me. I'll take any help I can get and pass it on to others. I also understand that our clinic is way understaffed. What with all of us that are eligible for the care and the lack of other health services for many of us it has overwhelmed them in many ways. When people tell me they are all for the public option in healthcare I tell them to "watch what you wish for you just might get it".
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Exactly.... what many folks don't realize is that 20 years ago, the VA was staffed to handle the number of Veterans who needed care. Since the Gulf War started, the Veterans have been told to register with the VA, but the VA has not been staffed to handle the increased number of Veterans, nor has funding for the VA increased enough to handle the patient load.

Glad you got in, stay well
 
I have been in the VA system for 55 years. I have had, at least, 7 major in-patient surgeries, including both knees replaced and later revision of both knees. The care, at all levels, has been outstanding. There is a VA hosputal about 40 miles away and a VA Clinic about 10 miles away. The Clinic handles my primary care and all of my prescriptions.
Having said that, I also have Medicare abd AARP, and all emergencies and non-service connected issues are done in civilian facilities. Primarily as a matter of convienence and as stated by another poster, no residents
 
Yea, and this is what all the kool-aid drinkers seem to want and voted for when they put these people in office. Medical field overhaul, ok, but a recreation? Thats what the government did and I don't like it. I don't like the VA because it is what our private system is going to turn into - if it isn't there already.:mad:
 
bionicskip said:
I have been in the VA system for 55 years. I have had, at least, 7 major in-patient surgeries, including both knees replaced and later revision of both knees. The care, at all levels, has been outstanding. There is a VA hosputal about 40 miles away and a VA Clinic about 10 miles away. The Clinic handles my primary care and all of my prescriptions.
Having said that, I also have Medicare abd AARP, and all emergencies and non-service connected issues are done in civilian facilities. Primarily as a matter of convienence and as stated by another poster, no residents
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Well, then count your lucky stars. Around here it is not very will rated.
 
handgonnetoter said:
Well, then count your lucky stars. Around here it is not very will rated.
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Have you taken the time to speak with, or otherwise contact the local VA Director? Those folks have an open door policy. If you're a Veteran eligible for VA health care, you may make an appointment to speak with the folks in charge of that facility and address your concerns.

If yer car breaks down, your mechanic can't begin to fix it until he knows it's broke.

On the other hand, I'm not a VA rep of any sort, but I still have some connections. If you would care to PM me, I may be able to make a suggestion or two.

Regards, Jay
 
handgonnetoter said:
Yea, and this is what all the kool-aid drinkers seem to want and voted for when they put these people in office. Medical field overhaul, ok, but a recreation? Thats what the government did and I don't like it. I don't like the VA because it is what our private system is going to turn into - if it isn't there already.:mad:
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I guess the only questions I have, Are you a veteran and have you ever used a VA facility???
 
Had my appointment today. Am now being referred to a specialist. So they will notify me when that appointment is. I am being put on priority.
Given three more meds. Not much advice, but I did not expect much as I am already doing everything to help myself now. They really are understaffed. Sadly the facility is four times larger then the number of people assigned there. They are all nice and work with you once you get in to see someone.
 
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