Quote:
Originally Posted by GeoGeo
Are there any things offered that might help a veteran who gets sick and needs to go the emergency room at the VA Hospital in Gainesville, but can't get in touch with anyone who can take him? Situation where a veteran had cancer and whose doctors are all up there. But sometimes they get sick and have to go back up, but family and friends are not always home when they need to go. Are there transportation options or options to be seen some place locally? I know the person always goes to Gainesville and doesn't want to go to the clinic in The Village.
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Hi, I am a Primary Care R.N. at a VA Hospital in R.I. and travel issues are a frequent concern for Vets. What usually happens in situations of acute illness is a Vet is advised to call 911 and they will be taken to the nearest hospital for evaluation. On arrival to a community hospital inform them that you are a VA patient and request transfer to a VA Hospital if admission is indicated. The community hospital ER doctor will contact the ER doctor at Gainsville and arrange for transfer. If no beds are available at Gainsville the doctor there will authorize you to be admitted to the community hospital for necessary care for the time needed and you may be transfered following admission when a bed becomes available.
If you are treated and discharged home from the community hospital, be sure to contact the Non VA Care Dept. formerly called the Fee Basis Dept. at Gainsville to inform them you were treated at a non VA facility and they will instruct you on what to do with any bills you may receive from the community hospital you were treated at.
Also, there is a program called Special Mode travel. There are Vets that have disabilities such as being wheelchair bound or oxygen dependent that need travel via chair car or sometimes ambulance to clinic appointments becaue the travel vans are not equipt to transport them. You can find out more about this program by contacting the Travel Coordinator at Gainsville. Also contact the DAV as they provide some travel assistance for Vets.
Hope this helped.