Anyone have any experience with Veterans Choice? If so, would love to hear about it.

2016-06-15T22:49:30-04:00

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2016 10:56 PM

2016-06-15T22:56:10-04:00

No. Are there pros and cons to the program ?

I'm assuming this is the official website. http://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/
I see, according to this site, I'm not eligible. Your have to be a certain distance away from a VA. Now I remember this program.

I suggest replacing "TBI" with "Veterans Choice" tag if possible.

Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act | About the Program

Learn how to get started with the .

Response by MSG David Johnson made Jun 16 at 2016 12:45 AM

2016-06-16T00:45:15-04:00

I've used it a couple times when the VA can't get me in to an appointment soon enough.
So far it's worked good enough, the guys at the VA actually say to try to use the Veterans Advantage if we can. I live about 40 miles from the nearest AFB and about 25 from the VA so it's worth it to me, not sure how it would work for anyone else.

Response by SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT made Jun 16 at 2016 1:49 AM

2016-06-16T01:49:52-04:00

Col Val Finnell, MD, MPH They make it hard to use the program but it can work. I am 100% SC located in Central Texas and my supporting Choice office [login to see] is in California.

I had an appointment for OT at the Temple VA hospital which was over 30 days out. Choice contacted me asking if I wanted a sooner appointment at a civilian facility. I said yes and was told it would take 5 working days to process. When I heard nothing I call the number on my choice card. Naturally, nothing had been processed so I talked to a supervisor to find out we're the disconnect happened. A few days later I received an authorization letter which had my initial evaluation and authorized number of sessions.

In order to get reimbursed for traveling 20 plus miles I had to got to the nonVA referral office on my VA hospital compound to have the appointment imputed as an authorized appointments.

Response by LCpl Todd Houston made Jun 16 at 2016 4:53 AM

2016-06-16T04:53:36-04:00

I just got out of the hospital on may 11 from heart bypass surgery at a civilian hospital on 16 january!!! I am now under home care for two months. All of it being paid by the V.A. . i am rated at 70% but with IU. So i am paid at 100% sc. Total and permanate. However, one does not need a rating to use veterans choice!! The system is confusing and you have to push a lot of buttons, but well worth it. I can get into the ins and outs for you, but it would be too much here. If you like, email me and i can try and answer all your questions. Houstontodd@ hotmail.com

stontodd@ hotmail.com

Response by MSG Timothy Anklam made Jun 16 at 2016 10:51 AM

2016-06-16T10:51:36-04:00

Yes. The VA was unable to see me within 30 days for dermatology and an MRI. The choice program here in El Paso is managed by Triwest and I was seen by the dermatologist in the community within a week. MRI is scheduled for next week (10 day turnaround). Easy enough to use, very satisfied with my care.

Response by SGT Paul Mackay made Jun 16 at 2016 5:35 PM

2016-06-16T17:35:38-04:00

I use it all the time. you go to your own doctor they bill va. if you live over 40 miles from nearest va. or if va doesn't have emergency rm. you can go to local hospital after 5 pm and week-ends.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2016 10:23 PM

2016-06-16T22:23:48-04:00

I work at the VA in ortho and I call it BAD Choice... Our referrals are very specific in orthopedic subspecialties and they send it to whoever is listed. So a patient needing a tumor specialist will wind up at a hand surgeons office. It can take just as long either way.

Response by PO2 Levi Chambers made Jun 17 at 2016 4:35 PM

2016-06-17T16:35:37-04:00

The 30 plus day wait part is OK but I live somewhat near a Va outpatient clinic so I don't get the distance part of it. Although the nearest VA hospital is 4.5 hours away so if I need anything other than a blood draw I am out a whole day of work.

Response by SMSgt David Poulin made Jun 22 at 2016 1:28 AM

2016-06-22T01:28:16-04:00

Wonderful program.
The VA is the BEST healthcare I've ever received, period!

Response by MSgt Mike (Lobo VNV Original) Morrow made Jun 30 at 2016 12:25 PM

2016-06-30T12:25:36-04:00

Are you retired, if so then check with TriCare for life and get out of the VA.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Jul 2 at 2016 1:04 AM

2016-07-02T01:04:08-04:00

Col Val Finnell, MD, MPH You so do not want to hear my opinion of Veterans Chice (to Die) as I call it. I beat the odds last fall and survived but at great cost. And that cost is growing for me and Veterans Choice daily.