Veterans Choice Program

[quedz]

Seemed like a good idea until I tried to use it for the first time...

Any of you Vets out there have any experience and or input concerning this program?

[DaveTN]

What kind of problems did you have with it? What did they say when you called them?

[buck1032]

What is it? Never heard of it.

 

(Never mind, I Googled it. Cant help as I have zero to do with the VA)

Edited April 14, 2016 by buck1032

[Ugly]

I've got a little experience.

Transferred to the VA in TN, it took them 11 months to add me to the system. I needed medical help for my back and an eye exam.

The VA was able to get me to a physician assistant for my back 2 months later.

The eye clinic was over a year wAit so they sent me to the choice program. Said they'd sent the info and in 14 or 21 days (I don't remember) to call a # and make an appointment.

I did, they took my info and told me I was in the system but didn't have a referral.

5 phone calls and 3 weeks later I was able to get an appt for an eye exam.

Then the eye clinic said to bring them the prescription to have them make the glasses. Very convenient (not). They have limited hours on certain days.

But I did that and they made me glasses.
Worse pair I have ever had. The bifocals are not symmetrical and make me see double if what I'm looking at is closer than arms length.

That's all I can offer.
I think the program is a bandaid to pease the public that dumps money in to some politicians buddy's pocket.

Good luck and i wouldn't recommend to anyone to join the military (not anymore)

[Tncobra]

Here's a good story that rattles me up.

So I live about 1.5 hours from Johnson City Mtn Home hospital. But they won't send me there because they say I'm an employee there, (I'm not.) So they make my appointments in Nashville, 4 hrs away.

While fighting the VA over me not working there. I asked them if I could get a choice card since YOU, the VA are sending me 4 hrs away. Well nope, can't get a choice card because I live 1.5 hours away from a full hospital.

WTF is wrong with these people. Edited April 14, 2016 by Tncobra

[Dolomite_supafly]

I am enrolled in the program. I needed to be seen by a specialist but the soonest I could be seen at the VA was 3+ months. The VA tried to find a doctor on the economy but we could not find a single doctor in Knoxville who was willing to see me. By the time my VA appointment rolled around the issue had resolved itself.

It is a great program but it is useless if civilian doctors are unwilling to see the veteran.

I suspect the reason why no civilian doctors want to is because they are probably being paid well below the average.

[Ugly]

Here's a good story that rattles me up.

So I live about 1.5 hours from Johnson City Mtn Home hospital. But they won't send me there because they say I'm an employee there, (I'm not.) So they make my appointments in Nashville, 4 hrs away.

While fighting the VA over me not working there. I asked them if I could get a choice card since YOU, the VA are sending me 4 hrs away. Well nope, can't get a choice card because I live 1.5 hours away from a full hospital.

WTF is wrong with these people.

This could be the cream of the crop! I hope you at least get a paycheck from there Hahahaha

I have learned that I would be better off on welfare Thani am for wasting 20 years in the service.

Pathetic!

[R1100R]

I guess I'm lucky but I have had no issues with the VA in Murfreesboro. I have heard of plenty of complaints about others in TN. especially Nashville.

[Dolomite_supafly]

I have no complaints about the Knoxville Outpatient Clinic now. In the past they have had issues but the last time I was in, a few weeks ago, it was a lot better. Also, my wait has never been longer than a few days for regular appointments but specialists tend to run a lot longer.

[quedz]

What kind of problems did you have with it? What did they say when you called them?

This cluster is still in the early stages. I'll try to remember to post the details if and when it's resolved.

[Just2Honor]

Choice program was forced upon VA to blunt the blows about wait times to see a VA doctor. From what I've read the number of doctors has diwdled due to the rate they pay and long, long payment time.    Made for good PR but seems to be just another half-assed VA plan

[DaveTN]

Instead of speculation I would be curious to see if there are stories of Doctors speaking out with facts on why they don’t want to be a part of this program. Is it limits on pricing, paperwork involved, or other government limitations/restrictions? Edited April 16, 2016 by DaveTN

[Grunt67]

This program is a "feel good " program dreamed up by our VA, to get he monkey off their back due to the lengthy wait times

for an appointment. It's as useless as tits on a boar hog. By the time you jump thru all the qualifying hoops, you're dead in the water.

I have a card my self, does fairly well to pick your teeth with.