Is it practical for me to move to a community that doesn’t have a VA clinic?

SSgt Catherine Segovia — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 01:10:23 -0400

California is getting too expensive for me. With a VA loan I can get a 2-3 bedroom residence in Cody, Powell or Worland In Wyoming. My payments would be less than half of what I’m paying now. I receive full medical benefit with the VA. Would I lose out on my benefits like eye exams, dental and orthopedics?

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Apr 16 at 2020 1:54 AM

SGT Robert Pryor — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 01:54:54 -0400

Of course, it is. If there is not a community Based Outpatient Clinic or VA hospital nearby, they will pay for you to see civilian practitioners at their expense. They will also give you travel pay at $0.415 per mile if you have to go to a facility more than seven+ miles away -- subject to a $6.00 deductible.

Response by SGT Gabriel Bustamante made Apr 16 at 2020 2:06 AM

SGT Gabriel Bustamante — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 02:06:14 -0400

If you are rated at 100% and you're not within 40 miles from a V. A. medical center you can use non-V.A. facilities. I live in Denver and have been considering moving to Wyoming myself. Houses are less expensive and they have less than 1 million people in the entire state!

Response by CPT John Toledo made Apr 16 at 2020 5:09 AM

CPT John Toledo — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 05:09:07 -0400

Ms. Segovia sourcing medical care thru local providers is do able . The VA also provides clinics in less densely populated areas . Check with the VA where you now get your care . Good Luck Sgt. Segovia

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2020 5:47 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 05:47:11 -0400

That's a decision only you can make. Are you willing to travel to another clinic for care?
Would you travel during the winter through snow?
You can get a cheap home lots of places that do have VA clinics as well.
Personally I would love to move to WY.

Response by SFC Michael D. made Apr 16 at 2020 10:04 AM

SFC Michael D. — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 10:04:49 -0400

The VA does pay you for your travel to your appointments just in case you didn't know.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 16 at 2020 3:39 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 15:39:49 -0400

Visited Cody, WY, a couple of years ago and my wife needed medical care. We went to a urgent care clinic near our hotel. The Nurse Practitioners there provide excellent medical care and went way over and beyond what we expected. Since I'm retired, Medicare and Tricare for Life picked up the bill. There is a Regional Medical Center in Cody. It isn't a giant hospital, but it's bigger than you might otherwise find in a small town (Cody has a resident population less than 10,000). People needing the next higher level of care probably go to Billings, Montana. A quick web search doesn't show any VA facilities in Cody. Cody is a really nice town with friendly people. It's main business appears to be tourists visiting Yellowstone National Park. We were there in September and enjoyed it. We would seriously consider moving there if it weren't for the altitude (over 5,000 feet) and my wife having COPD--not a good situation.

I can't address the other towns you mentioned. I've never used the VA medical system.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Apr 16 at 2020 6:15 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 18:15:45 -0400

Something probably even more important, does where you are considering moving have healthcare that meets your needs? Hips or knees going and a three hour drive for replacement depending on your support network could be a lot. I will need an advance level of a specialty as I get old and keep that in mind for where I am retiring to. Currently I live in a town of 750,000+ and many would be surprised the level of medical care unavailable. Just my two cents from working in healthcare over 20yrs.

Response by SGT Gabriel Bustamante made Apr 16 at 2020 8:35 PM

SGT Gabriel Bustamante — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 20:35:43 -0400

I should have included that you need to get approval from the V.A. first, a simple phone call to them first will save you headaches not to mention money, you don't want them to charge you for medical care because you didn't call them first! I hope this helps you!

Response by PV2 Tom Allen, III made Apr 16 at 2020 8:52 PM

PV2 Tom Allen, III — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 20:52:18 -0400

Yes, especially if the community has a local Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC).

Response by PO2 Charles Tweddell made Apr 16 at 2020 9:46 PM

PO2 Charles Tweddell — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 21:46:59 -0400

/SGT Pryor is correct in what he said! The VA is now allowing you to go where you need to go to treatment when there is no close VA hospital!