On March 31st I had been scheduled to see a Doc for Pharmacy and take labs. I had been sick and did not feel to swift and could not find someone to go with me. I called VA Telecare and was number 53 in line. After 45 minutes I was number 27 and sometimes loosing ground instead of gaining. I finally gave up.

Today I received in the mail a notice that I was a NO SHOW and that as a No Shower I woud not be able to renew prescriptions nor do anything at VA till I saw my primary Doc.

I called today and after 35 minutes I was able to make an appointment with my primary care Doc they had canceled one I already had for next week. Now its May 11th and I am wondering since I did not get my April 4th Prescription if they canceled that?

Although I have my share of MedicaL pROBLEMS i WONDER HOW SOMEONE WHO CANNOT MANAGE DEALS WITH THESE BASTARDS?

Bottom line they are vindictive SOB's who are completely irresponsible and I am fixing to opt out of VA system and just use my Medicare and Supplement.

Pete, you can write a letter to the director of the VA and ask them to reinstate your meds and explain that you attempted to call.
Then tell them your intentions to go outside of the VA for care if this is not fixed ASAP.

J

Get in touch with the patient advocate. That is what they are there for. Also don't cut off your nose to spite your face. The VA could care less if you opted out of the system but you have the right to be in the system. Make them make the system work.

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It's definately THEM. I am so sorry you have to deal with this crap! There must be another way! You have been struggling with these TURDS for-ever; if you CAN use another medical system, I would do just that. You also have the option of using Medicare while you file a "1151 Claim". The fact that the VA Pharmacies are not getting meds to the veterans on time, is cause for damages. Veterans are HURT by these actions; and in some cases their disabilities are surely aggravated. In some cases, the veteran can die without their medications. Again, I'm sorry, they are mistreating a you veterans. ~Wings

I was late 15 minutes for an appointment one time & they made me make the 300 mile trip at a later date. I turned around & went home.

Talk with your team social worker & see if they can help. I wouldn't let them run me out of the health care if your entitled to it.

They also have their ways of making it worse.

Right now, I'm getting as good of care with my VA PCP as I am with my civilian Dr.

Good luck Pete. Don't give up.

Thanks I have decided that I am not a door mat and I am going to fight. I appreciate all who replied I was pretty upset so I took a short vacation and just watched TV with my wife and dogs.

Tomorrow I will get ready to deal with them and this time everything is going to be on paper. I am going after them on their unresponsive telephone system

Pete53
Sorry to hear that you're being put thru all of this. I know my reaction would be similar to yours if it were me. My wife worked in a hospital for several years so I asked her what action she'd recommend and she agreed with Sharon, go thru the hospital's customer service/patient advocate or patient representative first. Your VAMC's website should have their direct numbers if they haven't provided you with a list.

Best of luck with all of this.

If you call the tele-nurse program, they are supposed to log the call details in your treatment records.

I went through the same bs two years ago here in Bham. They refused to refill my medication, so I talked to the tele-nurse's boss. I quoted this and they quickly refilled my meds and scheduled me an annual primary care appt for a couple of weeks later:

http://www.patientadvocate.va.gov/rights.asp

III. Participation in Treatment Decisions

• You have the right to have your pain assessed and to receive treatment to manage your pain. You and your treatment team will develop a pain management plan together. You are expected to help the treatment team by telling them if you have pain and if the treatment is working.
• As an inpatient or nursing home resident, you will be provided any transportation necessary for your treatment plan.
  You have the right to choose whether you will participate in any research project. Any research will be clearly identified. Potential risks of the research will be identified and there will be no pressure on you to participate.
  You will be included in resolving any ethical issues about your care. You may consult with the Medical Center's Ethics Consultation Service and/or other staff knowledgeable about healthcare ethics.
• If you or the Medical Center believes that you have been neglected, abused or exploited, you will receive help.

IV. Complaints

• You are encouraged and expected to seek help from your treatment team or a patient advocate if you have problems or complaints. You will be given understandable information about the complaint process. You may complain verbally or in writing, without fear of retaliation.

This is a very old post last year to be exact and everything got fixed.

Thanks to all who responded.