Posted on 08/18/2019 10:43:57 AM PDT by rktman
I'm 100 %, live 200 miles from the nearest VA medical center and for years have had to pay out of pocket for balance that Medicare won't pay and VA cannot or won't treat or pay. Must be good to be a king as I feel more like a vassal myself.
Been saying that for 30 years. The VA ic huge waste of money.
He is a 20 year retired so Tricare is what we have.
First off, the VA is very good most of the time. From where I sit, they often do better then a regular hospital.
One thing I did learn is the next time an ambulance gives me a ride to the emergency room I will pay the near thousand dollars to have them bypass the local hospitals and have them take me to the VA. It will be cheaper.
thank you very much for the info
There isn't any program called CHAMPAVA that I know of. TriCare for Life is for active duty and retired service members. For retired, like myself, Tricare is a "supplement" (not a secondary payer) to Medicare.
In my opinion, anyone who relies on the VA that is not in the disabled category is taking a chance with their health care.
CHAMPVA — Civilian Health and Medical Program
https://nvf.org/champva-civilian-health-and-medical-program/
thx...
The VA has problem and because it does not matter what part of the healthcare system the problems are in all the problems are VA problems.
Outside the VA each and every part of the healthcare system has problems, but since they are not listed as one unit the numbers do not add up to the problems known about the VA. Gather all the problems outside the VA and you will see the problems are much the same.
You have to complain about the problems of ten different healthcare agencies instead of one complaint about all the healthcare systems in the VA.
“How about we abolish The VA and use the money to pay for vouchers for Veterans to see civilian doctors?”
President Trump has made some headway on this by signing The VA Mission Act in 2018:
Join your local VFW or volunteer there and be an advocate for Veterans! :)
I got my last Mammogram for $30 and a biopsy that I needed for $50, both performed off-site. I don’t carry any other insurance other than my VA medical benefits.
I have stellar care at my local VA Hospital, but I know every Vet is not that lucky. :(
If you’re 200 miles from the nearest VA, you should still schedule all care through the VA.
You’re Category One and they will pay every dime. They will also provide transportation.
And they will schedule your care at civilian facilities, you never seeing the bill.
“However, acquaintances who have done so have nothing but horror stories to tell.”
Do your acquaintances have a VA certified disability that’s service connected? At any disability level, the service connected portion is always free.
Once they cross the 50% threshold all care is free. And it’s very good care.
As validated by every DISABLED vet I encounter and at several different VA facilities on the West Coast.
Most folks who bitch about VA care have a 10% rating for tinnitus and want the VA to schedule them for a hip replacement. In 2 weeks. Or, can’t get in at all because they have no disability rating whatsoever.
The VA was never intended to reach that far down on the disability scale. That’s all “space available”.
Totally agree with everything He just posted. Have to know how the system works, follow it and no problems. Prencentage of Disability will effect it.
I was entitled to ChampVa because my husband was 100% Disabled. We were Married when He was drafted in 1966. Do to Viet Nam we were forever Married to the VA. He Went to be with the Lord 2017, and I still receive benefits.
“…know how the system works, …”
And you only need to know how one system works, not one for each doctor plus one for eachof the companies they use to collect your bill. Then there is the different place to go for each lab, and their billing people. Etc etc etc
But everyone retiring from the military these days are “disabled.” It’s quite the scam. Even sleep apnea is in play.
How about we put VA enployees, top to bottom, under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, with military prison the punishment prescribed for willful negligence or disobedience to orders.
And of course, if death results *imprisonment for any term or years or for life, or may be sentenced to death.*
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