Trying to Get a VA Appointment

[gooseberry]

Call the als clinic coordinator, and call, and call. That is what got us results. If that doesnt work you could go over to the hospital and see someone in social work. Then email Bob Mcdonald if still no appointment.

Our group was wonderful....attentive, proactive, etc. The problem is being overburdened by all the spinal chord and als patients. The numbers at our va are very large. Money is allocated based on # of vets, not the complexity of the vets being seen

 

[jmnn78]

In our experience, everything went really fast. It's like they bumped us to the head of the line. However, my husband and I do not even bother with the clinics as it takes forever to get into them. We go directly to the VA hospital which is about a 5 hour drive. So far, the VA staff is wonderful and we have appointments every three months. The ALS clinic is in Minneapolis which is even farther. We get to have some appointments via webcam. Since my husbands diagnosis, we have had excellent care with VA. Then again, we don't even bother with the local clinic. I feel it is worth is to drive the distance than wait 6 months for an appointment.

 

[SKlocinski]

MUSC must have made good on their promise to get us expedited with the VA ALS clinic. VA called today and wanted us to come to clinic tomorrow. They only have it once a month and Tom is getting his PEG tube put in tomorrow so we won't get there until June. The VA lady wanted to know if he had a motorized wheelchair and if he was on bi-pap so it sounds like they are going to be easier to deal with than Medicare. When I explained that Medicare wouldn't pay for the bi-pap she said "Come on over! We'll get you one!" Actually the MUSC clinic and the VA clinic are within a block of each other. Both are about a 30 to 45 minute drive from our house if we don't have to go during rush hour. Neither is great for parking but they do provide free valet parking if you choose to use it. They said we are only required to see the primary care doctor every two years so that's cool. Don't really want or need another doctor in our lives....

 

[BK2011]

Sorry you are having so much trouble. I go to the Bay Pines VA in St. Petersburg, Fl; haven't experienced any of the problems ya'll are talking about. I spent 24 years active duty, retired and used Tricare as my primary insurance and went to private practice doctors for 16 years before being diagnosed with ALS. I didn't get any better care nor could I get in any quicker than what I have experienced in the VA system. As a matter of fact, my wife still uses Tricare and has experienced longer wait periods for care than I have at Bay Pines. Biggest difference is I'm paying for her care and I'm not paying for mine. I have noted that the VA obviously has a problem with VETs keeping their appointments; I get a card a month before regularly scheduled appointments and a phone call a week before the appointment reminding me of the appointment. When you're as busy as the VA hospitals are; it doesn't help everyone being seen in a timely manner if folks have appointments and don't show up. That eliminates a spot for someone that could have used it and it often means another slot will be used up again at a later date for the the patient that missed.

IMHO a VA Primary Care Doctor is a really good thing. Mine noted several problems I'd had before coming under the VA and scheduled me for appointments with those specialties. Cardiologist she sent me to didn't like my EKG and scheduled me to be scoped. Doctor that did that got me in within a couple weeks (delayed at my request) for a new heart valve. Doctor at VA in Miami that did the valve job said that without the heart surgery I'd have died from heart problems long before the ALS would get me. Recently, had a sore throat and walked in the the VA clinic and asked to see my Primary Care doc. She made room for me and shipped my butt off to VA in Tampa to see a Ear, Nose and Throat specialist who did surgery that night to take care of the problem. Yeah, she's worth more than her weight in gold.

Hope things get better for you and you experience the kind of care I've gotten from the VA down here.

Bill

 

[gooseberry]

Bill this was our experience also. Steve went to James Haley in Tampa. It is amazing how different the sites are.

 

[Colawoman]

Hi S!
We go to Charleston VA too, also live in Summerville, we have found that the VA here is very slow to get equipment but have found all the people very nice and they seem to want to help, it's just that everything takes so long. We have not had a good relationship with the PVA in Columbia; Tampa, FL in our opinion is the best!

 

[MyNexus2U]

Chally,

Unfortunately you are correct, Choice sucks! With that being said though any and all resources can eventually help. If it had not been for choice I would not have gotten into the MDA ALS clinic to finally get the right diagnosis. I am so very sorry that Colaworman is having such a difficult time. I know how frustrating it can trying to be patient drove me off the deep end more than once. I eventually asked them to direct me to the euthanasia chamber and they would be rid of me. My poor wife about flipped out but it must have worked because in two weeks I had at least five appointments. It seems that at least half of my VA providers here really do not know how to handle this disease. I may be wrong it is just a gut feeling. You are probably already there but make sure that you get to a regional office as they are different from those at a center or clinic. At least that is how they are set up here. I originally applied for benefits at an outpatient clinic but had to go to the regional office to see about getting champva for my wife. He asked if I had filled out a power of attorney for them so that they could monitor our situation and to make sure our appointments were scheduled timely and efficiently. We know the system better today than we did a few months ago and are still learning. Our system here is fragmented and most times the head does not know what the tail is doing let alone the arms and legs.

Bryan

 

[SKlocinski]

Chally,

Unfortunately you are correct, Choice sucks! With that being said though any and all resources can eventually help. If it had not been for choice I would not have gotten into the MDA ALS clinic to finally get the right diagnosis. I am so very sorry that Colaworman is having such a difficult time. I know how frustrating it can trying to be patient drove me off the deep end more than once. I eventually asked them to direct me to the euthanasia chamber and they would be rid of me. My poor wife about flipped out but it must have worked because in two weeks I had at least five appointments. It seems that at least half of my VA providers here really do not know how to handle this disease. I may be wrong it is just a gut feeling. You are probably already there but make sure that you get to a regional office as they are different from those at a center or clinic. At least that is how they are set up here. I originally applied for benefits at an outpatient clinic but had to go to the regional office to see about getting champva for my wife. He asked if I had filled out a power of attorney for them so that they could monitor our situation and to make sure our appointments were scheduled timely and efficiently. We know the system better today than we did a few months ago and are still learning. Our system here is fragmented and most times the head does not know what the tail is doing let alone the arms and legs.

Bryan

I emailed my ChampVA application in to the regional office and was approved withing a couple of weeks. The VA lady I spoke with is in agreement that even though Tom doesn't really need the power wheel chair yet he should get one. She said it takes about 2 1/2 months to get. BUT...Medicare won't want to pay for one until you have already needed it for a year. Get it in advance...forgedda about it! So I do believe VA will be the better choice