Traveling with the Veterans Admin.

[rwj146]

Yesterday I got a call from someone in the VA wanting to know If I would participate in a survey. Skeptic that I am I asked him how he got my name. He told me that my files showed I had visited three different hospitals/clinics and he knew which ones.

He explained to me the VA is trying to streamline a Vets going to a clinic or hospital not his home base. It was about a 30 minute question and answer and he asked for suggestions.

He sent me a contact number here in Dallas if I knew where I was going and if I might need tests.

He was an RN/MN and his title is ; VHA Traveling Coordinator Lead.

I know there is a large group of Vets on this forum, I just thought I would pass this along. Seems the VA is doing something right.

[fpoole]

rwj146 wrote:
If you are using MyHealtheVet and are in the Premium (vetted) category, after log in click the Blue Button and look for the link to Medical records.

It gives you a choice of what information you can download or just view if you want. It will also give you a choice of dates, how long back you want to go.

It would fit on a Scandisk or some such.

On the top of the page you will see an option to 'refresh', use it . Then check both of the downloads and see which one you need.

If you want me to I will get you a screen shot of what it looks like.

Any questions or if there is any way I can help just ask.

Thanks much RWJ,
I'm familiar with the HealthVet, Prem, I was just trying to wean myself off the VA as while each individual unit/center may or may not be good, they are still pretty much independent and geared toward the Locals resident Vets.

I was looking/hoping for a nationwide network that could be use at various locations without going through all the paperwork etc...

There doens't appear to be anything, just local networks, maybe one or two states at best...

Still working on it.. heheh, just might have to pick up the Rx option on Medicare or AARP and let the VA go...

Of course as soon as I do that, I won't need the Rx anymore... heheh, sigh... does it never end??

But thanks for the offer RWJ, much appreciated...

I'm good on the MyHealthVet.. and that's even complicated... I see they're revising it, I missed the deadline in reviewing it... but look forward to it..

thanks..

[rwj146]

If you are using MyHealtheVet and are in the Premium (vetted) category, after log in click the Blue Button and look for the link to Medical records.

It gives you a choice of what information you can download or just view if you want. It will also give you a choice of dates, how long back you want to go.

It would fit on a Scandisk or some such.

On the top of the page you will see an option to 'refresh', use it . Then check both of the downloads and see which one you need.

If you want me to I will get you a screen shot of what it looks like.

Any questions or if there is any way I can help just ask.

[fpoole]

Hmmm.... Full time Vet, used Seattle, wA VA, was good, but?? long appt times.

Used their Traveling Nurse thing, excellent but limited. Went to pick up a Rx refill in Reno, NV, told just go in, pick up... 4.5 hrs later, they had to load up all my records, Mil & Med, then wait for a consultation for the Refill I have been taking for a year... 4.5 hrs just to get a refill. Travel Nurse couldn't do anything.

Now moving PCP to Bend, OR and so far has not been helpful at all and I haven't even had the first visit yet.

I have the Medicare of course, the AARP go anywhere plan and am currently looking for some sort of Nationwide network of Med facilities that I can go to without going through a full medial enrollment each time. Trying to avoid the VA to allow for those that really need it, but have to use for the Expensive $600mo Rx but it's not easy.

Some use a USB with med records and carry that with them, dunno...

(I searched the FAQ and word searched, not finding much on it, I know it's got to be around here somewhere, if anyone has a link, please let me know)

Also VA in Havasu, AZ is worthless, understaffed, mis-information and just not helpful at all. I don't get it, thought this was all resolved several years ago... sigh..)

thoughts?
thanks

[CWDoc115]

Hunter Holmes McGuire VAMC is one of the best in the nation.
West Palm Beach VAMC is a top notch facility.
As is their CBOC in Clewiston, FL. :C
Miami VAMC I would never set foot into again! Got the royal run around at every office I went to except the food court... :M
It's facilities like Miami that make our vets beg for the help they need.

[W4RLR]

The more I see what is going on with the VA, the more I am grateful that I have an alternative with Medicare and Tricare For Life. The experiences I have endured in getting VA to adequately handle conditions that led to my medical retirement from the Air Force have led me to believe that the VA is not the place to go for medical treatment.

[Irover]

I was in the DesMoines, Iowa area in 2010 and went to the VA Hospital there after a veteran who befriended me told me I qualified for healthcare. They did quite well, a complete physical and new eyeglasses. An EKG showed normal heasrt, but my Clorestrol was high and was told to watch my diet which I did. In March 2012 I had a severe heart attack, got three stents at a civilian hospital, which the VA paid after a bit of confusion! I have been with the VA in Murfreesboro TN since Oct 2012 and have had very good service with them, had to use the ED a few times and was treated well, even get new eyeglasses every year. If your traveling the VA In DesMoines and here are good. The Phoenix Az. VA told me I did not qualify!

[Old-Biscuit]

Traveled FT for 7 yrs.

Primary VA Care was VA Medical Hospital in Sioux Falls SD...........GREAT Service/Care and Doctor/Staff.
Can't say enough good about them

As we traveled I used VA in:
Bay Pines FL
Gainesville FL
Dublin GA
Alamogordo NM
Loma Linda CA
Sacramento CA
Rapid City SD


Only had 'slight' difficulty with the CBOC in Rapid City and the Hospital in Bay Pines FL ---but being stubborn I prevailed.
All other facilities were top notch.
Mathers in Sacramento was beyond top notch.....EXCELLENT

Now that we are back in a S&B I have VA thru CBOC in Cottonwood AZ
Worthless -----rude and in over their abilities receptionist, can't keep 2 doctors ---one position always empty so those of us 'assigned' to that Doctor can't get appointments (haven't been SEEN in almost 2 yrs ---but Rx keeps getting refilled)

Phone calls/Secure Messaging to 'Patient Advocate' useless.

Was sent a 'Med Card' for outside care---called number and was told that I wasn't eligible. Called VA and was told I was 'eligible' but hadn't been 'authorized'/ when is that going to take place? --- when I need it -----how about NOW? No need ---filled empty Doctor position at CBOC.
Called for appointment------which was cancelled before appointment date cause Doctor left! That was Jan 2015
Still nothing except call from outside care facility reminding me I wasn't eligible yet.

As long as Rx keeps getting refilled OK and will just show up at ER if needed.

[rwj146]

edbehnke wrote:
I am also a traveling veteran and the 'travel coordinator' position in the VA is just a lot of hype.
I am in grand rapids, mi for awhile and the VA in michigan doesn't really know what a 'traveling coordinator' is or does. the patience advocate never returned my call and it is just a waste. thank god i have private insurance.

the bottomline, in my opinon, is that the VA does well when you jut need to see a doc every 6 months or just need meds, but when you have health issues like me it is worthless in gtting to see a specialist.

the VA needs to give eligible veterans an insurance card like my wife has in her VA 'ChampVA card'.

This may well have been hype also, but he told me it was a new effort to streamline service. I wasn't going to write anything but by him contacting me I thought it might be promising.

I do agree with what you say but maybe change is in the works.

Travel Safe . Bob

[edbehnke]

I am also a traveling veteran and the 'travel coordinator' position in the VA is just a lot of hype.
I am in grand rapids, mi for awhile and the VA in michigan doesn't really know what a 'traveling coordinator' is or does. the patience advocate never returned my call and it is just a waste. thank god i have private insurance.

the bottomline, in my opinon, is that the VA does well when you jut need to see a doc every 6 months or just need meds, but when you have health issues like me it is worthless in gtting to see a specialist.

the VA needs to give eligible veterans an insurance card like my wife has in her VA 'ChampVA card'.

[NCWriter]

That's very encouraging! DH has his medical coverage through the VA (he had a very successful hip replacement by a non-VA surgeon and hospital a couple of years ago through their program for Vets who were waiting too long and lived too far from a VA hospital).

I've often wondered how it would work out when we are far from home in the RV.