VA Healthcare

To apply,  click this link VA HEALTHCARE. The form is relatively easy and you probably won’t need any help. You will need a PDF of your DD214 (you can fax, but it could end in a black hole and will definitely delay the  process). 

Requirements:  Served in a war zone, be retired from the military or have a VA Disability award. No other requirements. However, just because you served in one of the branches doesn’t mean that you qualify. You don’t need to be disabled to qualify for this benefit, but if you have a VA Disability rating, you automatically qualify.  Don’t wait until you are in desperate need. Even though this is a yes/no decision, it can take several months.  Once approved, you will get an appointment for a physical (normally a  week or two after approval) and the meds you are on will be converted to the VA pharmacy. 

Once accepted, you can just walk in to see your Primary Doctor (emergency) or send them an e-mail for an appointment, usually the next day, but can be longer if a non-emergency (Primary Doctors are required to respond within 72  hours to e-mails - but if an emergency, my experience is the response was within a few minutes). 

Your Primary will automatically see you yearly for a  physical.  Specialists, in my experience, are 7 to 10 days, unless an  emergency. Cost? If you are not retired military or disabled by at least 30%, you will  have a co-pay of $15 for your Primary (physical is usually about 45  minutes), $50 for specialists and $8 for a month’s supply of any medication.  Surgery,  hospital admissions, x-rays, labs and virtually anything else are FREE. 

This is a really good deal.  I have been in the system for over 15 years and it’s been amazing.  Great Doctors, nurses, facilities…basically everything. Meds are mailed  to my home. ER services, too, up in Denver and you can now go to any private ER at any hospital, show your VA Helath Card and walk in for FREE.  Where do you get your Primary care? The Colorado Springs clinic is at 3141 Centennial Boulevard, Colorado  Springs, CO 80907. The VA Hospital/Medical Center is at 1700 N Wheeling  ST, Aurora CO 80045. If you need directions, a Google search works. They are both reasonably close. 

If you need transportation, the VA will typically supply that at no cost. Additionally, Congress passed a law specifying that if you can’t receive care within 30 days of request (after acceptance), then you are automatically sent to a private Doctor. Given an option, I always choose VA Health Services – even if I need to wait.   Private Doctors can take months to see.

Keep in mind that the negative TV segments on a bad VA clinic or hospital somewhere in another state are NOT the norm.  For whatever reason, bad news is interesting - good news isn't.  Can you imagine a lead TV story that covers "great care at local VA clinic"?  The US has 1200 VA clinics and hospitals.  One of them is always the worst (yes, it gets fixed).  Colorado VA clinics and our Denver hospital offer great care.  Additionally, the VA Hospital is associated with the University of Colorado School of Medicine and their Doctors and Residents add to the knowledge and care that you receive.