Alafoto wrote:
I got free transportation to Vietnam on a luxurious troopship and free helicopter taxi service to almost every Godforsaken place they sent us once in country. The VA does pay mileage for those who have to travel more than a certain distance to receive treatment. Not sure how much or how far since I live only a couple of miles from the local hospital. I have medicare and very good supplemental insurance thanks to my wife's employment with the state so only use the Va twice a year for followup visits because I don't want them to think that if I am too healthy to need medical care, then I might be too wealthy for my little 30% disability pension check.
I got free transportation to Vietnam on a luxuriou... (
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I know Veterans who never use the VA hospital services. Not because the services are bad, but because like you, they have Medicare with supplemental insurance. Working or retirement medical insurance from their jobs. Some say the VA locations are too far away. And the hassles sometimes just aren't worth it. But, they would use it, if they did not have medical coverage already.
ole sarg wrote:
Do you use the VA system and if not who cares what you think?
I use the VA and it is great and much better than most civilian hospitals. One reason is computerized record system which is universal.
I, being a Vietnam Veteran with 12 years service, started using the VA health system back in the 80's. It was hurry and wait then and still is now. About 10 years ago for about a year I was being seen by the Palo Alto Hospital and although quite beautiful and able to get seen rather quickly I did spend a one night stay there with a heart condition that they were unable to diagnose. Watching them try to figure it out was weird. The Fresno VA saw me and they also didn't know what was happening. After about 2 years I finally diagnosed myself with the help of Google of all things and I went to my primary and suggested that I was having bijeminy. They confirmed such and spent the next year seeing drs in cardio regularly. They were unable to stop it. That whole year I tried to figure out the trigger and finally I stopped taking the albuteral they gave me to control COPD. I had trouble breathing but the bijeminy stopped. Restarted the albuteral and the bijeminy came back. Went to my primary and she found a replacement for the albuteral and after over 3 years of heart pain my COPD is under control and the bijeminy is gone. So, my take is if you are good at watching your own health and keeping a close watchfull eye on the VA it might be good for you. But if you let them be in control you just might not get the best care. Their computerized system doesn't seem to help them care for their patients. Google just might be better. Just saying.
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