Is It Just Me Or !

Troutmaster13

Troutmaster13

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I'm wondering if it is just me, or is veteran's health care going down hill. When I signed up for the VA over 6 years ago, my health care was really good. In the last 2 years it has gone south fast. Rarely, do I get to see a specialist, they almost
always cancel my appointments. I hurt my knee on Nov. 7th 2022, Could not schedule an MRI until Dec. 27th 2022, 2 days later I received a call saying that I had a fracture and a torn meniscus, and we are sending you to community care because
this is urgent. I guess the two months earlier was not that urgent. I do receive great care at my primary care, however, getting to see a specialist is another story. Any thoughts, or comments.
 
if i remember my news, 8 years ago there was a scandal about the poor health care system at the VA was, and the nation was outraged. they cleaned it up and things were okay. but that was 3 presidents ago... and there hasn't been a new scandal recently.
 
Chuckman said:
Government, single-payer healthcare at its finest.

I qualify for VA HC, but as long as I have a job with HC, I won't use it.
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Same here, but I'm not in HC.
Primary Care was always pretty good, but my PC doc's son and mine were in the same Boy Scout troop.
 
Tim said:
I donā€™t think this is limited to the VA.
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No. My imaging is routinely 4-8 weeks out from when it's ordered. Since I used to work in radiology, when I was in the early stages of cancer and wanted results quickly I would just walk over and have them squeeze me in between patients, but now that I am not in a hurry to know the results I am OK with waiting.
 
I think anymore doctors are like nursing homes. They all suck, just some are worse than others.

I haven't had a good PC since about 1995 or so when he retired. I just stopped going unless I was sick or hurt and then it's an urgent care if I can get in one. I got the WuFlu in Oct of 21. That's the last time I've seen a doctor. Before that was July '18 when I tore up my ankle.
 
1075tech said:
I think anymore doctors are like nursing homes. They all suck, just some are worse than others.

I haven't had a good PC since about 1995 or so when he retired. I just stopped going unless I was sick or hurt and then it's an urgent care if I can get in one. I got the WuFlu in Oct of 21. That's the last time I've seen a doctor. Before that was July '18 when I tore up my ankle.
Click to expand...

I have a great doc, but he is retiring. But I also don't go to him if I am sick, I go to urgent care. Next guy up I like, too...he's in my workout group.
 
Chuckman said:
But I also don't go to him if I am sick, I go to urgent care
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And the urgent care is just as familiar with you and your history as your PC provider, right?

I think you've just shown a light on one of the bigger problems we have with the medical industry today.
 
noway2 said:
And the urgent care is just as familiar with you and your history as your PC provider, right?

I think you've just shown a light on one of the bigger problems we have with the medical industry today.
Click to expand...

I see my PC doc once a year: physical/maintenance. If you are using UC (or ED) for what it is intended, they don't need to know the level of detail about your HC history as your provider. If you are using it (UC) as a PC provider, that's not the use because they are not going to 'follow you,' but with so many PCPs not accepting new patients, this is happening.

I will add, patient education is also helpful: if you need 'a', make an appointment with your PCP. If it's 'b', make appointment or go to UC. If it's 'c', go to UC or ED. If it's 'd', go to ED.

It does help if they are part of the same system; my PCP sees the records from UC, UC sees the notes from oncology, oncology can see my crap from ortho, etc. In disconnected systems or disconnected providers, this is a HUGE issue and leads to a higher probability of patient harm.

You are right; for people without options the disconnection between multiple providers is a very big problem, with few good answers. They have tried, and are tying: pumping out more PCPs, using more APPs (PAs and NPs), telemedicine, etc., but the gap is growing faster than they can pump out resources.
 
Chuckman said:
No. My imaging is routinely 4-8 weeks out from when it's ordered. Since I used to work in radiology, when I was in the early stages of cancer and wanted results quickly I would just walk over and have them squeeze me in between patients, but now that I am not in a hurry to know the results I am OK with waiting.
Click to expand...
I understand that, but can someone explain my appointment time was 10:30 on 12/27/22, I checked in an hour early, and they took me right away. I then asked the tech's if someone cancelled, and they replied no. Don't figure
 
Tim said:
I donā€™t think this is limited to the VA.
Click to expand...
Your right, I have stories to tell about the private sector, but really, not enough time. I think I can sum it all up by saying their right hand does not know what their left hand is doing.
 
1075tech said:
I think anymore doctors are like nursing homes. They all suck, just some are worse than others.

I haven't had a good PC since about 1995 or so when he retired. I just stopped going unless I was sick or hurt and then it's an urgent care if I can get in one. I got the WuFlu in Oct of 21. That's the last time I've seen a doctor. Before that was July '18 when I tore up my ankle.
Click to expand...
I am not laughing at your misfortune, your top line was very funny, Trout
 
Chuckman said:
Government, single-payer healthcare at its finest.

I qualify for VA HC, but as long as I have a job with HC, I won't use it.
Click to expand...
I use the VA for extras like hearing aids and glasses. I have no wait coverage on the civilian side through my medicare advantage plan.
 
Troutmaster13 said:
I'm wondering if it is just me, or is veteran's health care going down hill. When I signed up for the VA over 6 years ago, my health care was really good. In the last 2 years it has gone south fast. Rarely, do I get to see a specialist, they almost
always cancel my appointments. I hurt my knee on Nov. 7th 2022, Could not schedule an MRI until Dec. 27th 2022, 2 days later I received a call saying that I had a fracture and a torn meniscus, and we are sending you to community care because
this is urgent. I guess the two months earlier was not that urgent. I do receive great care at my primary care, however, getting to see a specialist is another story. Any thoughts, or comments.
Click to expand...
Not just you I know lots of people that echo your sentiment.
 
I've been getting my healthcare from the Salisbury VA for several years now and @Ilm before that.
I hafta say my experience has been majority positive from the providers. Where it gets to be a pain on occasion is with the admin.
The VA, like any other .gov entity, is somewhat of a "jobs program" and they have a "promote from within" policy. This makes it entirely possible that the person who was moppin floors yesterday is scheduling your appointments today. But even with that it's been mostly positive. MyHealthEvet is your friend and is a record of your efforts at communications with them. This is key.. Much better than calling.

@Troutmaster13 - Are you going to the Fayettenam VA?
 
HawgBonz said:
I've been getting my healthcare from the Salisbury VA for several years now and @Ilm before that.
I hafta say my experience has been majority positive from the providers. Where it gets to be a pain on occasion is with the admin.
The VA, like any other .gov entity, is somewhat of a "jobs program" and they have a "promote from within" policy. This makes it entirely possible that the person who was moppin floors yesterday is scheduling your appointments today. But even with that it's been mostly positive. MyHealthEvet is your friend and is a record of your efforts at communications with them. This is key.. Much better than calling.

@Troutmaster13 - Are you going to the Fayettenam VA?
Click to expand...
I do use MyHealthVA to send secure messages, order med's, claim travel pay, etc. I go to Sanford for PC, and Fayettenam (like that name) for all other.
 
At least the VA is moving past its' peers in one area:

www.va.gov

VA.gov | Veterans Affairs

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services youā€™ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family memberā€”like health care, disability, education, and more.
www.va.gov www.va.gov

Duke is still masking in every clinical area, regardless of risk. I understand pre-COVID masking in onc/chemo, transplant, etc. They've always masked in those areas.
 
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