Sorry to hear you were laid off. I hope that if you want to find a new job, that you can. Good luck with the VA.
My sister in law is a surgeon. She did rotations through the VA. She said it was top to bottom inefficiency and incompetence. She would actually take her patients down and do her own XRays as otherwise it wouldn’t get done. She said this in the context of this is what’s coming for everyone.
I’ve been going to the VA for some time. Once you get an appointment keep it and be on time. The staff I’ve encountered are quite knowledgeable and have compassion. Don’t fret the insurance thing, they will still deal with you.
Big cities. Big liberal unions. Big problems.
That is my opinion and I have no link to provide to back it up.
If you can, avoid the large old metro facilities. It looks like there’s a VA clinic in Eugene. My VA clinic is located in a suburb of Melbourne, FL which has provided me the best medical care I’ve ever received. The nearest VA hospital is located in Tampa clear across the state which was built right after WWII. As others have stated, the newer clinics seem to be far superior to the large, old metro hospitals.
Someone should start a website for this...
It took me 6-7 months after applying to get an appointment at my local VA Clinic. I Kept the appointment I was given and went to the Clinic last week. It was basically a get to know me type of appointment lots of questions about my health and lifestyle. Told them about a right hip problem I have been having. They took basic blood pressure readings, heart rate reading, blood samples for testing, etc. typical first visit to any doctor. Then they sent me across the street to a private hospital to get an X-ray of my hips. The whole visit took two hours including the X-rays.
I got a 6 page letter in the mail early this week Detailing the results of all the blood panel work ups and X-rays of my hip. They are scheduling me for an MRI for my hip problem and also sent me some B-12 for a deficiency they said I have, said I needed a monthly shot of the B-12. I am to take the B-12 I received in the mail today to the clinic on Monday to receive a shot from a nurse. I was offered medication for my hip pain which turns out to be osteoarthritis but declined at that time. I will ask for it on my visit Monday.
So to recap after showing up for my appointment it took two hours for all the questioning, blood samples and a trip across the street to a local private hospital for the X-rays.
I am thinking not a bad first visit at all.
I have yet to been given a date for the MRI.
Good luck with you adventure with the VA!
The VA is a lot like the military, spending a lot of time waiting to wait. Its also like the military in that if you know the system it can work well for you.
Go in person to get signed up. Don't just call, have last years tax return or last pay stub showing year to date income.
Be able to document all medical expenses in the last year at least, I recommend 2 years if possible.
Once signed up they will usually call to set up an appointment, but if you don't hear anything call after a month or so. When you talk to them never hang up with out getting an appointment no matter how far out. You can always call later to see it there is a cancellation.
They will assign you a primary care provider. On you first visit be sure to sign up for a Premier myHealthVet account. That will enable to you contact your provider directly whenever you have a question.
They will give you an ID card that is supposed to work to check you in at the kiosks at the various clinics. Don't wait more than 10-15 minutes past your appointment time to check with the desk to see if it actually got you checked in.
Finally, and most importantly IMO is that if something comes up go to the VA emergency room, or a civilian emergency room if the VA is not close. The VA health care system is the same as when you were in, it's there, but if you need it you gotta take care of yourself, they ain't handing you anything.
As I said, the care I get is outstanding, you can get the same level as I do without a doubt, but be proactive...
I work for the VA, I transport patients to and from their appointments. I have heard both good and bad about the system. Each clinic is different. Some will get you in early, and some always be late.
At small of the smaller clinics they will outsource a lot of the treatment.
I don’t use them much, I have had bad experiences with them. I was born flat footed, and I made an appointment to get some new orthotics for my shoes. They Xrayed my feet and told me there was nothing wrong with them. I left the VA and and went to a private Dr.
I made an appointment to see why I had blood in my urine, the VA didn’t what to do anything about it, I left again and went to a private Dr. and was treated for an infected prostate.
Most of my experiences with the VA have not been good.
The surgery was done and a few days later she developed a terrible infection at the wound site and had to be rushed back in to surgery. Turns out that the VA had knowingly allowed surgeries to be conducted in an operating suite that was infected with MERSA virus. She found this our from her podiatrist who had operated on 4 patients that day - all elective surgeries. Two of his patients died as a result of the out of control infection and my sister ended up losing her leg below the knee due to gangrene from uncontrolled MERSA infection. She tried to sue, but could find no one who would take her case.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/3168651/posts
In 2013 I spent 9 days in the Phoenix VA Hospital on Indian Hills Rd. After 2 heart attacks and congestive heart failure. In 1968 I was 169 pounds. When I went in to the hospital I weighed 470. In 9 days they took over 100 pounds of water out of me.
There service was great, the food good and the staff and doctors 1st rate. If there were problems there, I didn't see any.
My whatever god you worship smile down on you and your entire family.
I will say a rosary for you tonight.