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sofldan -> RE: Another Tribute to Veterans (11/17/2010 4:13:58 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: kalikshama
When I joined the USAF as a teenager, I wasn't thinking about war or really stupid wars, I was thinking about tuition and travel benefits. Teenagers aren't known for thinking things through. The older wiser me wouldn't enlist, but is glad the younger me did.
VA medical benefits: everything is free; nothing is available
In August, I asked my primary care provider for a referral to the GYN so I could get an ultrasound for a chronic condition.
In September, the GYN put in a referral to the closest facility that does this, which is 58 miles away from me. 58 miles is a LONG way in South Florida traffic.
In October, having received a letter with directions to the West Palm Beach facility but no appointment, I called Radiology. The woman said she saw the referral but not the order, and that I needed to speak to Denise. I left a message for Denise, who did not return my call.
Later in October, I sent a fax to my primary care provider, explaining that I had not received an appointment and would she please help. She did not reply.
Monday, I saw my PCP. She looked up the referral and said it was stuck in Fee-Based Services. She left a message at Miami. I said that my referral was to WPB, would Miami be able to help? She said yes, they are connected.
Yesterday, Miami called me and said I needed to speak to WPB, they are not connected. She did not have the extension.
I called WPB and the system told me that I was # 27 to reach the operator. I stayed on hold for a while and when the system told me I was # 22, I left a call back number. The operator called me back and I got the extension for Fee-Based Services. This went into a loop - no person or machine picked up - I kept going back to the main recording. Sighing, I pressed 0 for the operator. When I finally got someone, I explained that the extension was not working, that it was in a loop and no one picked up and I did not get voice mail. He asked me if I would like him to send a tech for the (something). I said, "No, I would like to speak to someone at extension XXXX. So he transferred me, back into the loop!
It was around noon, and I figured the person at extension XXXX was taking a lunch break - clever scheduling as this is the time her customers are also taking their breaks. I finally got a person at 3 PM. Pilar said that I did not need Fee-Based Services, I needed Fee-Based Services GYN and that she would leave them a message and to call Suzanne if I did not get a response by Friday. I am not holding my breath.
Good thing my need for an ultrasound is not related to pregnancy!
Oh god dont get me started on the VA. I call to make an appt and they tell me I already have one for xx date. I tell them I am in need of seeing the doc before that they say too bad youll have to call in for a same day and your doc wont be available. And there's the issue I have with acid reflux that the VA couldnt figure out after tests blood more blood and more test and sent me to my local ER. I was telling the VA doc that it was acid reflux she even did an aids test to make sure it wasn't that and then she couldn't figure out what it was. Went to the ER was told I had acid reflux got a scrip and was out in 30 mins. Time with VA doc to not diagnose the problem 3 weeks.
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