Medicare clinic or VA clinic?

[ripvanwinkle]

Just a question. Which to use? 10 miles away is my VA clinic (I have no service disability). I have part A & B medicare. 1 mile away is a Providence clinic. Can I use both? If I'm really sick I'll go to the VA clinic.

Has anyone done this? What are the pros and cons? Can I do this?

[Blonde Granny]

Are you eligible for and registered with your VA clinic?
VA will bill your Medicare supplement, good part is that the money goes directly back to the VA clinic, not some place in Washington DC
Without any service connected disabilities, you will have a copay for care and RXs.
VA: If you are sick, you must go to the VA emergency room, getting into a VA clinic as a walk in is very difficult
VA & Medicare, yes you can use both, the VA doesn't care. However, it does complicate things and you have 2 sets of records and the Drs. may not agree on your treatments.
VA will NOT accept RXs from an outside Dr. Your VA primary care DR. must agree with the RX and then his/her own for the pharmacy to fill it.

Anymore questions, just ask.

[kadee79]

BG covered it pretty well.


Yes, you can use both.  My DH is contemplating doing that right now if he doesn't get what he thinks he should to fix his right shoulder.  VA keeps wanting to just give him shots instead of operating & fixing it.  He has gone to a good ortho outside the VA in the past...full knee replacement, partial knee replacement & left shoulder repaired.  Even with the choice program, the VA is balking on him going to this surgeon....so he may just use his Medicare for that.


And if you aren't registered with the VA clinic, do it!  That way if you ever need them, you'll have easier access.  DH used to get 'means' tested to determine the amount of his copays at the VA.  Their scripts were cheaper than getting them out in regular retail stores.