At 09:29 PM 1/4/99 -0800, you wrote:
> Does being a veteran mean
>someone who has been in the service regardless of when, or is a veteran
>someone who was in the service during a war period. Anybody know the
>answer to that question?
Anyone who has served one day in the US Armed Forces is eligible for care
at the VA.
Those that are being comphensated for a service connected injury receive
first priority and access to the most services.
Others, receive care as space is available.
The Annual Means test determines if there is a copay or not for
prescriptions. Ordinarily those with medicare supplement policies have the
$45.80 paid by them.
In reality, care at the VA for many is care of the last resort...because
insurance is not a requirement for care and there is never a deductable for
those with no means.
Now the quality of care is another matter because many VA centers have
contracts with medical schools to train student specialists and
inexperienced doctors. The outcomes are generally good but there are
mistakes made and the patient has no recourse. Neurolgists are few and far
between and the number of vets at the age of needing them is increasing.
Yes you can travel to another center for appts but...elderly vets can't
travel very far and don't have the resources to do so.
The formulary at the VA is rather limited so the latest drugs are not
available but are generally those drugs that have generic counterparts.
Some good drugs are replaced with drugs of questionable value when it comes
time for the VA to tighten its belt.
Hope this answers your questions.
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John Cottingham
