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I see it every time I go there. I see young people taking their paw paws and also middle age folks taking their older parents there. The wait is very long and is certainly the worst part. Although not following “their rules” is a close second.

When you check in for an appointment at the front desk, is where you begin your long twisted journey and find discourteous VA employees. Even the new faces at the front desk don’t help. I experience the skin color rule EVERY time I go.

I had to cancel and reschedule an appointment a few months back. I received a 2 day notice via automated phone for my appointment. We had planned a trip to Phoenix (sister-in-law surgery on her carotid artery) and we were leaving the next day.

I called to cancel my appointment and reschedule a new one. While in Phoenix my heartbeat went to 146 and I ended up in the emergency room. When I returned home, I tried to call the clinic and see when my appointment was. They never scheduled a new one. All of my meds were expired.

I left 5 voice messages over 5 days. No one called me back. The pharmacy understood my problem and did all they could. They finally transferred me to some lady. I did not know who she was, but I spoke with her on a Friday and she asked if I could come in Monday. I think they may call it “Patient Advocates”. I believe the advocates are there to cut down the number of congressional inquires.

I have noticed a change in my doctor and his nurse. The nurse gave me a very cold shoulder. The doctor explained to me if I had a problem, I should call. Now when I call, the doctor himself calls me back.

I don’t know that it would help someone not in the system .

Do you guys receive disability compensation?

I go mostly for the meds. The meds that are for my service-connected disability are free. My other meds, I have to pay an $8 co pay. What’s really funny (not really), are the dosages they come up with. I have diabetes and I’m supposed to check my blood sugar 3 times a day. I can get the test strips, but the VA only allows 1 test strip every other day!!

One of the best and most prescribed drugs for cholesterol is Liptor. I have been taking it for years. The VA doesn’t have it. A couple of months back it went generic and I thought for sure they would finally get it. Nope!!

The really new and good drugs aren’t in their formulary. The doctor always says, “too expensive”. I remember a time when he sat me down and showed me how much a particular drug I was taking cost “because the government buys so much”. It was 6 cents as opposed to 8 cents a piece. He gave me the larger dose and said to cut it in half. The math works, but when you try to cut a pill that is not meant to be cut, the outcomes vary.

Is it just me or does the VA clinics leave a lot to be desired?

I often think “the system” (if you can call it that) is designed to discourage you from participating or receiving treatment for a service connected disability.

Prescriptions always run out BEFORE your next appointment. Prescriptions can also expire without you having a clue as to when that occurs. That means yet another call to the overworked pharmacy where, in my experiences, may be the only department of the clinic, that does actually care.

I always apologize first thing when I call the pharmacy, because they receive these unnecessary phone calls everyday, all day long.

The pharmacy has to send a request to the doctor each time you run into a problem with refills. You never know how long that will take. You can call the doctors team, but no one will answer the phone, you will be forced to leave a message, and absolutely no one will call you back.

My blood pressure is usually off the charts when the nurse checks it before I see the doctor. She often tells me that I will have to return everyday (a 35 mile trip one way) to monitor it. I told her I do monitor it myself and it is normal. I asked if she ever considered that the high level may be related to the 3-4 hour wait to see the doctor.

I do realize this happens with private doctors and pharmacies, but they are most always resolved the same day.

In the past, after you saw the doctor, you made another appointment at the desk. Now they will make an appointment after you leave and you will not know what date it is.