Comments on: Attention Zoners…

By: bowser

bowser — Sun, 26 May 2013 21:11:54 +0000

Every VA hospital has volunteers with a American Legion supplied vehicle for these things. Every big city has as a part of public transit system special vehicles who do this for free. Every VA hospital has social workers who solve these problems.

Completely nonsense. And, by the way, none of our business.

By: Jody

Jody — Sat, 25 May 2013 04:16:57 +0000

P.S….I am staying out of it next time.

By: Jody

Jody — Sat, 25 May 2013 04:15:32 +0000

Well thanks everyone! The vet was going to drive his motorized wheelchair home from the hospital, because he wasn’t going to pay for non emergency transport. Apparently he and his wife feel that the hospital are taking advantage of their misfortune. *shaking head*. I believe they feel that because he suffers from Gulf War Syndrome, and has suffered severe osteoporosis as a result of medications administered over the years…the government owes them.

I am completely lost with this mindset.

However…the vet held tight, and the social worker capitulated. He has a ride home…and it is free.

By: Jody

Jody — Sat, 25 May 2013 04:02:13 +0000

ER….this whole thing has me scratching my head.

I think she meant medicaid?

By: ER

ER — Sat, 25 May 2013 03:06:38 +0000

You mentioned this patient’s medicare did not cover transport, but Medicare kicks in at 65, which means during the Gulf War he must have been in his mid 40′s. Not impossible, but it suggests he was a career man, or had at least served more than one hitch in the military. Men in their 40s don’t normally enlist.

One of the reasons I left the VA when I became eligible for Medicare was that elective surgeries are done at the big VA hospital in Miami, about 30 miles away in the middle of busy city. (Emergency surgery is covered anywhere by the VA). I preferred paying extra for Medicare supplementary insurance to have access to a local hospital if I needed elective surgery, preferably one where my doctor could have access to me if necessary, and so my wife wouldn’t have to drive to a third world country if she wanted to visit me.

However, once you’ve got the VA card and are in the system, you’re in for life, even if you stop going to them or make other arrangements as I have. All combat vets have full access to VA services even if they weren’t career servicemen. I know this because even though I never saw any action, I did serve in a combat zone and earned combat pay, and if I need services I can get them, although there is a reasonable co-pay. This is my Plan B if Congress ever pulls the plug on Medicare.

And the behavior you describe, about expecting full reimbursemnt for non-emergency transport, is totally baffling.

Maybe I’m missing something…

By: alcaray

alcaray — Sat, 25 May 2013 00:24:40 +0000

Oh hey you might ask the Salvation Army. They do all sorts of volunteer stuff you never hear about.

By: Jody

Jody — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:04:40 +0000

LOL! Well…found a non emergency transport service…they charge 60.00 plus 3.00/mile. About three miles away.

I was excited to tell them because I was thinking much higher numbers. I was going to surprise them and pay for it .

The wife called me and told me they felt they shouldn’t have to pay anything.

I am at a loss for words here.

By: TB

TB — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:17:33 +0000

Hard to believe the rehab center has no ideas.

And here I sit with a van in the driveway with a hydraulic wheelchair lift in the back.

There are transportation services for wheelchair people that are cheaper than ambulances.

By: Jody

Jody — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:34:55 +0000

Going to ask Red Cross tomorrow. VA won’t help. Stopped by a fire station to see if they had any ideas…nope.

By: Jody

Jody — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:46:51 +0000

My neighbor. 100% disability. Collateral damage from medications for Gulf War Syndrome .

The wife is worthless…she just stands there and panics.

Hospital three miles away…did not use VA this time.