Click image for a Washington Post article.
My DH got a confusing letter (dated March 1, 2013) and fact sheet from the VA this week about Non-VA Emergency Care. This is something all veterans need to know about because there are quite a few gotchas in the rules.
From the letter comes this broad statement,
“The VA defines an emergency as a condition that needs immediate attention or it could become hazardous to life or health.”
Veterans must be already enrolled in the VA (Aren’t all veterans automatically enrolled upon discharge now?) and then the clock starts ticking. The veteran has 72 hours (3 days) to contact the VA. (That’s fine only if the veteran is physically able to call or has a family member who can help him.) And then the veteran must file a timely claim.
The fact sheet states that the emergency has to be severe and interestingly cites the veteran’s “belief” about his emergency.
“Your situation is an emergency if you believe that your health is in danger.”
Hmmm, what if a veteran experiences heart palpitations, is dizzy, and believes that he is dying–but it turns out to be a full-blown panic attack? Is that a medical emergency the VA will cover?
The American College of Emergency Physicians recommends that anyone with these symptoms seek immediate medical attention:
- Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath
- Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure
- Unusual abdominal pain
- Fainting, dizziness, weakness
- Changes in vision
- Confusion or changes in mental status
- Sudden or severe pain
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- Coughing or vomiting blood
- Suicidal feelings
- Difficulty speaking
In my view, if a veteran’s condition results in a call to 911, the paramedics are more qualified than most veterans to decide if a trip to the ER is needed. And if the paramedics say that the veteran needs to been seen by an ER doc, that’s all the “proof” the VA needs to pay for non-VA emergency care. (On the other hand, there is a lot of fraud surrounding ambulance services, as one fired Texas whistle-blower found out.)
Maybe medical ID bracelets could be imprinted with “Take me to the nearest VA ER” because you do NOT want to be stuck with the private ER and ambulance bill. You might choose to take a cab to a cheaper hospital-based urgent care center instead to save thousands of dollars. If you are in need of an ambulance, the veteran will most likely be taken to the nearest facility by the local ambulance service. Ambulance bills can be extremely high. The City of Chicago fees begin at $900 for residents plus $17.00 per mile.
This Medicare booklet is worth looking through for hints on how to handle a VA denial for private ambulance transportation. Medicare pays 80% of the bill after deductibles.
It might be a good idea to find out the ambulance’s policies regarding if a veteran doesn’t have or plan to buy private insurance under ACA. Does the VA offer ambulance services at their hospitals? If so, that could be an option for some people.
Don’t have a medical ID but would like one? Well, the VA has a directive that states that you can be issued one! The dog tag IDs are pretty neat.
Some have memory stick storage
If you’ve been thinking about getting one, mention it to your VA doc and let us know if he/she orders one for you. Some may not even know about the program. You have to be your own best friend when it comes to the VA. Thanks!
asknod
Bethanie Spangenberg
kcraveiro
robinhoodesqvetsatty
Wesley McCauley
Veterans Claims Help 
I am on Social Security Disability and kept Medicare part A just in case the VA delays payment as I’ve heard that they often do, because they know that a Vet will avoid having their credit ruined or a judgment if at all possible. As for the rest of us that are too poor to pay, well “let them eat cake” is the guvurnmint’s mantra now.Since SCOTUS chickened out and left medicaid expansion for the states to decide; 24 states opted out of expanding medicaid. My state is one of them….so I am stuck with VA healthcare or none at all which could be worse I suppose.
BTW: The distance of an ambulance ride is directly proportional to the survival of the emergency. In my case it’s either 10 miles to the nearest ER or 30 miles to the VA ER.
So true–for a suspected heart attack or stroke, nearest ER wins. I think that it’s in everyone’s best interest to see the VA step up their game with higher standards across the board.
I think the problem is that Congress ignores the elephant in the room. Rep. Miller called for Hickey’s resignation but the VA wants to keep her on. Congress can’t ask for a resignation of a federal employee who was not appointed DOH! I’m sure the majority of Miller’s constituents don’t know that. And so the beat goes on. The media has been bought and paid for a long time ago.
Shortly after the President’s EO for Vet Jobs, he came out with an EO to raise the funding fee for VA home loans…..brilliant! And disabled Vets are dying before they get their SA housing grants. I suppose I should be thankful for what I have received and I am to a certain degree. However, it eats at my craw to know the VA has turned into a bunch of procrastinating liars and thieves! I think this is why blogs like yours are so important to Vets.
I have one of those tags its hanging around my neck, but I payed for mine, did not know the Va pays for it.
One of those secret benefits. If you ever need to add a condition, or just want a spare, I would ask for one and see what happens. Report back!