VA clinics, are they worth the wait if the civilian clinics don't meet your needs?

After getting jerked around for 2 years by my private health insurance trying to get back surgery, I started going to the VA. The Mpls VAMC gives me the best care I've ever had and I never have to wait long for appointments. I get all my health care there now.

I visit s VA clinic in Palm Desert, CA and receive outstanding care there. If I need to be referred I am sent to a VA hospital that is part of Loma Linda hospital which is very good. When you are due a check up the send you an appointment time. I also see a psychiatrist once a month and have a civilian local doctor all under TriCare. I have prescription medication sent to my home under Express Scripts which is Tricare. This is usually free. I have my wife under this program also. Some medication can not be automatically that are controlled require your doctor to send scripts a refill order. I believe this is now mandatory that you must use express scripts. Of course in California we have many fine VA hospitals. Hope this helps.

I've had good luck with the San Diego and the Topeka, KS VAs. SD, with help from DAV, got the ball rolling before I retired from the Navy and has been following seas ever since. Once retired, I was called in for paperwork follow-up and issued a VA ID card. Is there a wait? Sure, sometimes. But those of us who have more then a week of military service are used to, "hurry up and wait" and don't whine about it. I take a book, go to the cafeteria for a large cup of bad coffee (like the ones the CPO messcranks used to make) and go to the waiting room. I can read my book or have a good conversation with a fellow Sailors or one of the other services. I've had the same doctor for the last three years, something you normally don't have while active, and she and her team take good care of me.