Hey all, as a 100% disabled veteran on the forum, i see several on here, i have a question about a new program called
Veterans Choice Card for medical care outside the VA system, i just received my card today and from what i can understand from reading qualifications for this program, meet a couple of the criteria to be eligible.
I live further than 40 miles from the nearest VA facility and to get to the George Wallen VA Hospital in Salt Lake have a pass to drive over, which during winter months here can be a bit treacherous.
My question i guess is, has anyone been activated into and used the new program and if so did you still have to call and get pre-approval before making an appointment to see a doctor or specialist. If so, can anyone tell me how different the program is from the way things are now since i had to call to get approval to go to the emergency room a couple months ago. Sounds like its basically the same care we already have........I know there was a pilot program called "project arch" but the pilot was shut down September 2014, arch stood for (access received closer to home) some type of healthcare provided through contracted non-VA care providers, which i can only assume were lowest bidders, so welfare clinics.....i probably shouldn't say that because i have no first hand knowledge of the program but my last C&P exam was farmed out and it was done at a facility that should have been condemed by a PA that was shady at best.
I don't want to sound like i dislike the VA healthcare system, i appreciate it very much and don't know what i would do without it, could it be improved?? Yes, but it is what it is, hasn't changed in the last 30 years so i doubt it will any time soon.
If any veteran has information on this new Veterans Choice program, please post what you know about it, as i can't be the only one here who got a new card.
Thanks to all veterans for your service.
Marcus
Veterans Choice Card for medical care outside the VA system, i just received my card today and from what i can understand from reading qualifications for this program, meet a couple of the criteria to be eligible.
I live further than 40 miles from the nearest VA facility and to get to the George Wallen VA Hospital in Salt Lake have a pass to drive over, which during winter months here can be a bit treacherous.
My question i guess is, has anyone been activated into and used the new program and if so did you still have to call and get pre-approval before making an appointment to see a doctor or specialist. If so, can anyone tell me how different the program is from the way things are now since i had to call to get approval to go to the emergency room a couple months ago. Sounds like its basically the same care we already have........I know there was a pilot program called "project arch" but the pilot was shut down September 2014, arch stood for (access received closer to home) some type of healthcare provided through contracted non-VA care providers, which i can only assume were lowest bidders, so welfare clinics.....i probably shouldn't say that because i have no first hand knowledge of the program but my last C&P exam was farmed out and it was done at a facility that should have been condemed by a PA that was shady at best.
I don't want to sound like i dislike the VA healthcare system, i appreciate it very much and don't know what i would do without it, could it be improved?? Yes, but it is what it is, hasn't changed in the last 30 years so i doubt it will any time soon.
If any veteran has information on this new Veterans Choice program, please post what you know about it, as i can't be the only one here who got a new card.
Thanks to all veterans for your service.
Marcus