Will the V.A. follow the lead of Medicare in attempting to limit prostheses?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 08:39:14 -0400

Medicare is attempting through a proposal to limit access to protheses by making the requirements to attain advanced prothetics more difficult and eliminating the universal billing codes. By doing away with billing codes facilities will simply not be able to bill insurance companies for the prothesis. This will limit the type and quality available to patients. It will also mean there is less incentive for research and development in the area of prothesis. http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/26/health/amputees-prosthetic-medicare-rule-change/index.html

Amputees fight Medicare proposal to limit prosthetics - CNN.com

Amputee groups and prosthetic makers are rallying against a Medicare proposal they say will limit access to some limbs.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 27 at 2015 8:41 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 08:41:15 -0400

It seems like the VA wants to say no not how can I help these days.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 27 at 2015 8:42 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 08:42:33 -0400

That's how the VA is conducting business and reducing claims these days is by denying!

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 27 at 2015 8:43 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 08:43:08 -0400

I'd be most concerned about driver safety. Who are you picking up? Also from the passenger side of things I'd be worried about the driver. Are the a good driver? Do they have some form of criminal intent?

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Aug 27 at 2015 8:44 AM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 08:44:45 -0400

What kind of shit is this anyways? The VA is suppose to help our veterans in need, not give them more grief and bull-shit hoops to jump through to get that help. What a bunch of bureaucracy garbage!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2015 8:54 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 08:54:47 -0400

The VA needs to understand that they are there solely for the veterans, not for collecting a paycheck. Our men and women put their lives on the line and are expecting the nation that they defended to take care of them in return. the same thing happened during WW2. Soldiers were promised free healthcare for life and got screwed in the long run.

Response by MSgt Michelle Mondia made Aug 27 at 2015 8:57 AM

MSgt Michelle Mondia — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 08:57:39 -0400

"Only Congress has the authority to designate which medical devices and services can be supplied through competitive bidding, and the Medicare program does not currently have the authority to subject this equipment to competitive bidding"-

But here's something they have no problem making readily available....
http://m.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/penis-pumps-cost-medicare-172-million-report-article-1.1578951

Response by CPO Joseph Grant made Aug 27 at 2015 9:00 AM

CPO Joseph Grant — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 09:00:51 -0400

This is bull shit. Our government gave us an unwritten promise we'd be cared for medically for life. The VA is great for declaring vets incompetent and denying claims, beyond that they're becoming our enemy b

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 27 at 2015 9:03 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 09:03:00 -0400

Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that my first concern would be the service branch medical staff. Before these people get out, they're the first line of offense and defense in the treatment of these wounds. They could also be the leverage needed to fight this IF the VA were to ever try to implement a bad policy like this. The service chiefs could also leverage the CJS who then moves onto the Defense Secretary and the VA Secretary. But the fight when concerning the troops has to come from the first line fighters; the MEDCOM CDR and CSM or branch equivalent. Once they're retired, then the fight comes to each of us, and the various VSO's to fight for their (OUR) benefits.

Response by SSG Keven Lahde made Aug 27 at 2015 9:03 AM

SSG Keven Lahde — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 09:03:16 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Ma'am I sure hope not. Medicare seems to be a waste of money for the people who do have it cause it seems to be getting expensive every year.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Aug 27 at 2015 12:26 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 12:26:55 -0400

Considering VA's particular population, I really hope that wouldn't be the case. Amputations are kind of normal in the VA system.