Any military veterans use VA health care ?

[Spirit]

Hi,
Just wondering if there were other members, that were diagnosed by the VA hospital, whom I can correspond with, concerning VA health care ?

[GumbyCT]

yes

[Spirit]

Hi Gumby,
Thanks for reply. VA hospital has thier own way of treating patients, providing equpiment etc..... They provide fantastic health care for me, but slower then a turtle crawl, Lol !!! It only took 2.5 years to diagnose apnea, and probably another 2.5 for equpment adjustment.

Hope you don't mind, I pm you, concerning VA.

[GumbyCT]

No, not at all. And I thought I had problems. lmao

[Bearcat42]

Hey Spirit,
Yes, there are vets here using the VA for healthcare related to sleep apnea. I have hhad my machine since April of this year and everything is taken care of through the VA.

[Spirit]

HI Bearcat,
Hope VA is treating you & Gumby well. I have no gripes about the VA, other then thier turtle speed of taking care of business, Lol !!!! They do provide outstanding care for me, have a fantastic pcp, very caring doctor. Would like to correspond with Vets, cause Military & Civilian hospitals procedures are different, concerning treatment & equipment, but I'm learning from lots of wonderful people at the forum as well.

When I went to pick up my equpiment, I was given a 15 minute, "how to operate" lecture, then sent to pick up mask, then sent home. Thank goodness for this forum. Cause I had no idea, what I was doing my first night.

[GumbyCT]

I got my 1st cpap from a UPS driver but that was from Apria. I never got 1 min from Apria - how do they get away with bs like that? Oh of course it was a useless Remstar Plus model. Plus w/no f'n data, so why call it a Plus? oh to fool us newbies. My 1st doc told me I had a cadillac, ha. It didn't even a compliance card reader, lmao. That doc is history.

When I switched to the VA they sent an RT to my house. I guess each VA is just a bit diff depending on the state and the area they have to cover.

If the U.S. goes to socialized medicine I hope it is modeled after the VA system. The VA has it's quirks but has come a long way too. I esp. like the VA prescription medicine program.

[Bearcat42]

I got my 1st cpap from a UPS driver but that was from Apria. I never got 1 min from Apria - how do they get away with bs like that? Oh of course it was a useless Remstar Plus model. Plus w/no f'n data, so why call it a Plus? oh to fool us newbies. My 1st doc told me I had a cadillac, ha. It didn't even a compliance card reader, lmao. That doc is history.

When I switched to the VA they sent an RT to my house. I guess each VA is just a bit diff depending on the state and the area they have to cover.

If the U.S. goes to socialized medicine I hope it is modeled after the VA system. The VA has it's quirks but has come a long way too. I esp. like the VA prescription medicine program.

I agree Gumby. The VA has come a long way and the prescription medicine program is great. I went to the VA hospital to meet with my RT and she would'nt let me leave until I understood everything related to my machine and its use. I am very happy so far with their service and help. When my FFM just would'nt work for me I called them and they sent out a nasal mask that I asked for that same day. I was surprised at how easy it is to work with them, at least at this particular hospital.

[Goofproof]

I use the v.a. but not for sleep apnea. Jim

[Eric_M]

good post to read. I will be using VA soon. I will have tricare prime (post retirement) but from what I understand, their are fees (20%'ish) associated with tricare and sleep apnea. But with the VA, totally free. The good thing for me is, I am already diagnosed for CPAP usage and the only thing (hopefully) I should have to worry about is replacement supplies (still knocking on wood).

[OldLincoln]

Not to intrude, but...

Would any of you happen to have filed with the VA for a hearing aid? I did recently and they told me to expect an answer in about 18 months. If you have aids from them, what brand and quality are they?

[Guest]

I have about 5 grand worth of VA hearing aids in my drawer. They use the best stuff. Mine hurt my ears but I just haven't had time to go back in. The Doc sets you all up then they have a "repair" area that is walk in for minor repairs. Great service.

[bearcatx16]

I'm with Goofproof except I do have a UMFF that I got from them. They took the machine back as I told them it was sitting in the box as I couldn't get daily data of the M LCD and I was not going to buy the reader and sw as I already had invested in Resmed.

HAs, have two Starkey Destiny 1600 "CIC" completely in canal. They are digital, I have nothing to compare them to, but they work very good for me, granddaughter likes them also, she doesn't have to yell at me when we go bike riding. Service is through the VA, "ILLIANA", it is very good, but it is almost 2 hours from me, hope the new clinic 20 minutes away has an audiology dept. However, I did find a local vendor who is very good to Vets, and he services, cleans, and will send in for repair if need be. The 1600 has a 2 yr. guarantee/replacement if lost. After the 2 years is up I don't know what VA will do, guess I will find out shortly. If you want more info PM and I'll provide an email addy.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blessings,

Fred

Edit: Add, ILLIANA appeared to have very limited selections on masks I had 2 choices and 1 machine.

[Spirit]

the only thing (hopefully) I should have to worry about is replacement supplies (still knocking on wood).

Hi Eric,
My experiences with VA equpiment & supplies, are outstanding. They provide the best equpiment/supplies on the market. Patient can go in and pick up supplies, or call and supplies will be sent to them, as needed. The only requirement concerning cpap from the facility I use is, a mask has to be used, for at least 2 months min, before requesting a different one. Although, I recieved a new mask in a month, have chronic allergy/sinus issues, clinic tech got me in pretty quick.

And the facility I use, will not write a prescription to purchase mask/equipment outside the VA, due to legal purposes. And they only have 3 masks, a Liberty hybrid has to be special ordered.

Good luck ! Sleep well !

[Handgunner45]

My experience with the VA has been outstanding. Only problem was the wait for a sleep study, had to wait about 3 months, but went home the morning after the study with my machine and all supplies. Got chewed out by the RT at the VA hospital closest to me yesterday. Called to get a new mask and she looked at my record and was upset that it had been 2 years since I requested a mask. Got a new UMFF on the way, with instructions to request one every 6 months or I will be in the "dog house" with her.