Guest guest Posted October 13, 2009 Report Share Posted October 13, 2009 Hi DD! Stan and I both see VA providers. Dennis is working on getting signed up. First you have to enroll at www.va.gov simply send in the 2 page form with the supporting documents and select a treatment facility. You need to establish with a primary care provider. Depending on your location, you can always go to a community based clinic, you do not need to go to a large hospital if it is a drive for you. After establishing care and seeing your primary, you will ask for a referral to a rheumatologist. You will then get an appt at a larger medical center. Once you get rolling you can get drug refills in the mail. It's marvelous. ________________________________ From: " dgd301@... " <dgd301@...> Sent: Tue, October 13, 2009 12:25:18 PM Subject: [ ] OT VA I know that Stan signed up for VA benefits and I remember someone else here knowing a lot about doing that. Can someone tell me who you call to ask questions about what VA covers and how it coordinates with Medicare and private insurance, please? Thanks, dd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2009 Report Share Posted October 13, 2009 sorry DD I got cut off by a phone call and my own clumsy fingers. The VA does bill private insurance if you have it. They ask for other coverage and then will try to recoup any costs that are eligible for coverage from your private plan. However they won't charge you the difference. I never ran into extra fees when they billed BCBS for my visit. Also keep in mind that having a good primary makes your life a lot easier. Don't be shy about asking for a different " team " or provider if the first person you see is a dud. I saw a guy at the Danville, IL VA who was fine at first and wrote me a year's worth of Enbrel. Although he did freak out that I was pregnant on Enbrel and even said that I was *obese*. Give a girl a break! I was pg and on pred! Anyway, in the second year he wanted me to have monthly labs and I'm an hour from his medical center. Things deteriorated and I decided I didn't want to work with him anymore. I transferred my care to the Decatur, IL community clinic and I see a great doc who is also a USA reservist. He wrote me another year worth of Enbrel and has even changed other meds over the phone when I have called or faxed. I can't speak to whether the VA bills Medicare. My guess is no since they're both Federal programs it would be taking from to pay , but I could be wrong. Definitely sign up for the VA. Meds for non service connected conditions only have an $8 copay, so the pharm benefit alone is worth the paperwork. I believe you can also walk the enrollment forms to your closest medical center if you're trying to speed the process. Best, Kate F ________________________________ From: Fair <kalfoley@...> Sent: Tue, October 13, 2009 12:29:29 PM Subject: Re: [ ] OT VA Hi DD! Stan and I both see VA providers. Dennis is working on getting signed up. First you have to enroll at www.va.gov simply send in the 2 page form with the supporting documents and select a treatment facility. You need to establish with a primary care provider. Depending on your location, you can always go to a community based clinic, you do not need to go to a large hospital if it is a drive for you. After establishing care and seeing your primary, you will ask for a referral to a rheumatologist. You will then get an appt at a larger medical center. Once you get rolling you can get drug refills in the mail. It's marvelous. ____________ _________ _________ __ From: " dgd301@... " <dgd301@...> @gro ups.com Sent: Tue, October 13, 2009 12:25:18 PM Subject: [ ] OT VA I know that Stan signed up for VA benefits and I remember someone else here knowing a lot about doing that. Can someone tell me who you call to ask questions about what VA covers and how it coordinates with Medicare and private insurance, please? Thanks, dd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2009 Report Share Posted October 13, 2009 Hello, When I joined the VA years ago, I went to the local VA Hospital with my discharge paper. This may not be easy to do if you are a long way from a VA facility. I highly advise getting your card though. These RA medicines are expensive and all insurance companies do not provide them. All VA facilities are federal, but different states operate differently. Sincerely, Patsy ________________________________ From: " dgd301@... " <dgd301@...> Sent: Tue, October 13, 2009 10:25:18 AM Subject: [ ] OT VA I know that Stan signed up for VA benefits and I remember someone else here knowing a lot about doing that. Can someone tell me who you call to ask questions about what VA covers and how it coordinates with Medicare and private insurance, please? Thanks, dd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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