Posted on 05/27/2014 3:31:17 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232
I am a Vietnam era vet and will be visiting my local Veterans Out Patient clinic on Thursday morning for my initial evaluation. The out patient clinic contacted me last week to set up this first visit after having applied for it over seven month ago. I have a couple of health Issues; one is my right hip is giving me some serious problems and the other is a dental problem.
My question is what can I expect from this initial visit? They have me in their computer system and all the info I submitted. Do I need to bring extra info? DD214 etc?
I need all the info I may need to make this evaluation go smoothly.
I am also insured by my wife’s employer’s insurance policy and Medicare.
Just wondering if anyone has some constructive advice?
If you are a career vet (lifer) what may be available to you may be different than what is available to me.
As a Vet who was not a lifer, in my case I can only get Dental for emergency dental work which means if I am in great pain due to a dental issue, and then there is a minimum co-pay, for me, of about $348 (if memory serves me right).
For a non-lifer with a non-service related issue there are co-pays which may depend on income level & whether or not the person has any health insurance coverage, independently or as a spouse &/or currently with Medicare - I think.
oh8eleven’s comment, rather question, is correct. There IS a distinction between “VietNam vet” and “VietNam era” vet. Obviously, the former means you served in country for a full tour or even part of a tour, while the latter (”era vet”) means you were in one of the military service branches during the time the VietNam war was in progress but DID NOT serve in country.
The VA does not cover dental except for vets with service connected disabilities at a relatively high percentage of disability(Not sure exactly what it is but mine is 30% and I do not get dental) or a Purple Heart.
Bring whatever service dental records you have. Otherwise don’t expect any help there.
Since you have a computer I can only assume you have a phone........call them
To all who replied, Thanks. I was just looking for constructive advice and info. Not a flame war on my service as a U.S. Marine during the Vietnam War.
?
Bring any and all paperwork you have. Any records. Any insurance. You can be expected to produce anything so it’s better to have it and get it done now.
They have all your infomration anyway so it’s not like you are giving anything up they don’t know and you will slow the process if you don’t have what you need.
The people are cordial and respectful for the most part.
God bless!
Having just read the above, why are you using the VA if you already have coverage?
I will predict this, due to your current coverage and your attempt to utilize the VA's, you are going to encounter problems regarding coordination of benefits between the VA, your current coverage and medicare...........
sometimes having access to too much results in too many problems........
God bless you, and thank you for your service.
BTW , if you do have a service related issue, you will need and advocate. VFW, American Legion and DAV are three that I know of. VA is means tested, but I have no idea what the criteria is for that. We pay for all meds that are not service related. But the rate on those is really good.
They did back in the 70s, got a couple of bridges and a couple root canals after separation from the Army
Thanks for the link, looks like a better deal than the delta dental plan through tricare
“Having just read the above, why are you using the VA if you already have coverage?”
Hey! My wife insists.
Life in prison without parole is the very least that she deserves.
Thanks for your positive advice!
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