VA Emergency Room Eligibility- ?? New Info.
Made a couple phone calls to the VA (Mountain Home, Johnson City, TN.)
Explained my situation. "Lost my job last week, no healthcare, no income," Honorably discharged, vallid DD-214 in my possesion. Fell and badly hurt my knee yesterday. Can I come in to the Emergency Room and be seen?
Was told "No, You either had to be injured on Active Duty or be 65 years of age or older. "
I asked him "So you are telling me the only way I can be seen at the VA is to have been hurt on Active Duty, or be 65+ years old? "
Yes, that is correct. I told him "That did not sound right, are you sure?" Started stuttering, then started to read something that had nothing to do with the situation I was describing. Sounded like he did not know what he was talking about.
Hung up, and called our local VSO (Veterans Service Officer.) Explained the situation. They also agreed "That does not sound right, let me take some info. and make some calls."
Thats where it was left.
Does this sound right to you??
Explained my situation. "Lost my job last week, no healthcare, no income," Honorably discharged, vallid DD-214 in my possesion. Fell and badly hurt my knee yesterday. Can I come in to the Emergency Room and be seen?
Was told "No, You either had to be injured on Active Duty or be 65 years of age or older. "
I asked him "So you are telling me the only way I can be seen at the VA is to have been hurt on Active Duty, or be 65+ years old? "
Yes, that is correct. I told him "That did not sound right, are you sure?" Started stuttering, then started to read something that had nothing to do with the situation I was describing. Sounded like he did not know what he was talking about.
Hung up, and called our local VSO (Veterans Service Officer.) Explained the situation. They also agreed "That does not sound right, let me take some info. and make some calls."
Thats where it was left.
Does this sound right to you??
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I got out of the Army back in 67 and used the VA for a housing loan and some home study classes and never used the VA since I had healthcare thru my employer .
The company I worked for 38 years was bought out several times and I started looking at the VA about 6 years ago and was told I made to much money????????
I was told Senator Sessions had made the statement after the Iraq was we couldn't afford all those returning Vets so they passed a bill saying it went on your Means (income) and to me that's BS.
I could have joined many years before but didn't want to take any benefits for other Vets and after checking I found out I could have deducted all my medical bills , my insurance payments and several other expenses and was below the means level.
Every time I called the VA before I was told I made to much and they never explained the deductions I could use,
Pure BS in my opinion so if you run into this problem check out what deductions you can deduct from the Means clause.
I now go once a year for a VA physical to keep my VA incase I need it.0 -
TooBig wrote:I got out of the Army back in 67 and used the VA for a housing loan and some home study classes and never used the VA since I had healthcare thru my employer .
The company I worked for 38 years was bought out several times and I started looking at the VA about 6 years ago and was told I made to much money????????
I was told Senator Sessions had made the statement after the Iraq was we couldn't afford all those returning Vets so they passed a bill saying it went on your Means (income) and to me that's BS.
I could have joined many years before but didn't want to take any benefits for other Vets and after checking I found out I could have deducted all my medical bills , my insurance payments and several other expenses and was below the means level.
Every time I called the VA before I was told I made to much and they never explained the deductions I could use,
Pure BS in my opinion so if you run into this problem check out what deductions you can deduct from the Means clause.
I now go once a year for a VA physical to keep my VA incase I need it.
I hear you Brother. I pretty much never went to the VA for Anything, (For the same reason.) There were other Veterans who truly needed it. I did not at the time. I do now, and seem to be paying for it.0 -
one of the reasons I stuck with the VA even though I had outside insurance was for same reason, knowing my insurance would reimburse the VA, I figured it was putting the money back in the kitty for a vet who didn't have insurance, so if you do get in Ken, as long as you like your doctor, stay even if you get outside coverage later, they will just pay the VA instead of some outside hospital..... 0 -
hillbille wrote:one of the reasons I stuck with the VA even though I had outside insurance was for same reason, knowing my insurance would reimburse the VA, I figured it was putting the money back in the kitty for a vet who didn't have insurance, so if you do get in Ken, as long as you like your doctor, stay even if you get outside coverage later, they will just pay the VA instead of some outside hospital.....
Wish I had known that. I would have been doing the same. That Hospital (VA) was excellent in every respect, as I have been hearing forever. Downside is it is about 1 1/2 hrs away.
Hindsight being 20/20, apparently I am a DA.
I quite honestly up until about 5-6 years ago, never knew I was eligible to go to the VA. I thought you had to have "Retired with 20." There was absolutely ZERO discussion or paperwork about VA Health benefits when I Out Processed. I do not believe that was an accident. I have heard numerous Vets, tell me the same thing.
Thanks So Much. :roll:0 -
Just to give you something else to worry about....
What kind of doctor works for the VA?
Very few GQB's* (maybe none) will work for a government agency at greatly reduced salary simply to do their duty.
The ones I am aware of, from the newspapers, have had their malpractice insurance canceled for incompentence or drug problems, etc.
I don't have to go to the VA to find CRAPPY doctors. I'm surrounded by 'em. One will refer me to another (and bill me) then refer me to another (and bill me) then refer me to another (and bill me) then refer me to another (and bill me) then refer me to another (and bill me) then I give up.
*Greedy Quack Bastard
If I sound bitter, its only because I am.0 -
The VA has the same motto as many other government offices.
You play ball with us and we'll...stick the bat up your ass!0 -
Smitty500mag wrote:The VA has the same motto as many other government offices.
You play ball with us and we'll...stick the bat up your ass!
Are you a Veteran?
You do not sound Bitter, at all. :?
Sought Benefits, and been denied?0 -
Been following your various predicaments lately, Ken.
Hope all turns out.
It was probably 10-11 years ago, I was working in the Omaha VA hospital, I?m a low voltage monkey, electrician, on job for a contractor I worked for.
We reported to a couple IT guys, for them.
Granted, I am a veteran of a foreign war, with boots on the ground there, but in talking with those two, they talked me into bringing in my DD214 and signing up for coverage.
I have full coverage from the VA, with only co-pays I believe. I went in for two different yearly wellness checks the first couple years, but haven?t been back since. I was active duty for five years, 3 yrs inactive. I still have my card, expires 8/23/24.
From reading your tales of woe, I should probably get back in for another wellness check to keep myself up to date.
They tried talking me into signing up for disability, and at the time, for my MOS, I was guaranteed 15% for just having that job, whether I was in a theater or war, or not.
A different dept handled disability, and I still haven?t signed up. I probably should try, as the list of things keeps getting longer, but I?m too proud/ ie, stupid.
Hopefully Buddy is keeping you entertained, and out of trouble. Kinda distracting you from doing anything else, to awful stupid. Because when it rains on us in life, surely it pours.
Mabye you should consider a little hobby, like Ms Kasey or Mr Ricky have.
That might keep you out of trouble.
Hang in there, and remember, keep your stick on the ice, and we?re pulling for you.0 -
Thanks diver-rig, I appreciate the good words.
I tried a couple times this am to get in touch with either one of the two head HR people in my former Co.
One was "Not in today," the other was "in a Traning Class." All I could do was leave a message. I inquired about not having received any COBRA info. In a "timely manner." Relayed that I fell and badly hurt my knee 6 days after termination. "If I had received COBRA paperwork in a timely manner, I could have been covered." Relayed that it was now 10 days after seperation, and I had not received anything from you. Why is that? Asked them to call me back and explain the situation.
We'll see where this goes.0 -
I don't know if this helps or not,.....
https://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Programs-and-Initiatives/Other-Insurance-Protections/cobra_qna0 -
Good News! (Actually Excellent News.)
As I had indicated in a previous comment to this thread, I had called and left a message to the head of our HR Dept. as to why I had not received any COBRA paperwork from them? (And) Relayed what had happened with my knee, and when it happened.
I was assured (I confirmed this multiple times.) That "There would be NO lapse in coverage, from the date I left, until I complete my COBRA paperwork and turn it in with payment."
This is VERY good news for me, as the entire Emergency room visit at the VA was going to be "Out of Pocket." I was anticipating a bill of around $2k+.
I am estatic as to this turn of events. This will save me a lot of $$.
I am pretty much positive that by the tone of my voice, and what I had to say on my message - They knew they were looking at a lawsuit as to non-timely delivery of COBRA paperwork. I do not know if that is the case, but the Head of HR, fell all over himself apologizing for my not having received any COBRA paper work in a "Timely Manner." Assuring me multiple times, "there would be no lapse in Coverage."0 -
The HR guy was betting you are just another dumbass worker and he could save his company a few bucks by blowing you off.
Remember HR is not there to help you, they are there to protect the company.
Glad this is working out for you. You need to sell the chainsaw and buy a dress
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Quote: "Glad this is working out for you. You need to sell the chainsaw and buy a dress"
Very glad to hear your good news Ken!
Instead of buying a dress, I think a pair of high heel's would keep you out of those woods for a while!0 -
Great news! 0 -
I can still use the chainsaw and cut wood, in a dress.
If I were to use "High Heels," I would more than likely re-injure myself.
Wait. :shock:
What??0 -
I think most of us and yourself smelled the BS in that "your coverage ends the day we fire you"
Eligibility is monthly and runs in a 28 day cycle - they take money out of your paycheck as part of the cost...
I don't see how you using insurance in the period remaining hurts them in any way.
The back pedaling and self effacing apology about the cobra stuff after you used the right attitude and buzz words proves they were despicable lying thieves and bastardy.
Good work - that's a win even if it's just what you were owed.
Mike0 -
mrmike08075 wrote:I think most of us and yourself smelled the BS in that "your coverage ends the day we fire you"
Eligibility is monthly and runs in a 28 day cycle - they take money out of your paycheck as part of the cost...
I don't see how you using insurance in the period remaining hurts them in any way.
The back pedaling and self effacing apology about the cobra stuff after you used the right attitude and buzz words proves they were despicable lying thieves and bastardy.
Good work - that's a win even if it's just what you were owed.
Mike
Thanks Mike.
I felt pretty good after my interaction with the "Head of the HR Dept." about my Insurance (or lack of same.) and my subsequent Injury in the interim of my receiving any type/kind of COBRA paperwork.
Win/Win for Ken.0 -
Having just signed up for COBRA It is correct that you have 60 days after your separation date to sign up for coverage. You would be covered for anything happening between the separation date and your sign up date. as long as you sign u within 60 days. 0 -
My father recently had to be hospitalized for emergency surgery - I called 911 and I rode in the bus to the hospital - I sat with him in the ER - and waited outside of recovery while he was operated on - they took him from the ER direct to surgery...
Than I sat in the ICU till he woke up...
13 hours.
Based on your experience I am having a copy of his DD214 sent to the hospital - to see if any of his out of pocket might get covered...
They say maybe.
Relieved to hear you are not much worse off or in dire financial circumstances...
I cannot afford to lose many more friends - there aren't many left.
Mike0 -
You and Ken both have plenty of friends here Mike. 0
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