The Villages VA & Veterans Choice program
 

Anyone using the Veterans Choice program? :rant-rave:
Veterans Choice program just doesn't work. over 2 weeks, 6 hours on the phone, 6 different people, on hold over an hour, each person there, asked all the same questions, congress needs to repeal the Veterans Choice program, another level of bureaucracy indeed NOT needed for our veterans.:rant-rave:

I thought the Veterans Choice Program was to give vets the choice of using a physician in their own community IF they could not get an appointment within 30 days OR if they would have to travel more than 40 miles to a VA medical facility.

I know that DAV provides daily van service free to the VA Gainesville.

Maybe just go to The Villages VA clinic and speak in person with the Associate Director or some other person in charge to get everything in place.

Sounds as though the VA is trying to be helpful but veterans need to realize how many need service so it cannot be a perfect experience for everyone.

I also would check the VA Clinic at the North end of The Villages first. If they are not helpful, try the local state operated Veterans Services Office. The office in the Sumter County Building On Powell Rd near 466A was very helpful in assisting me in filing for VA benefits for my father. Phone number is (352) 689-4450.

i use the VA Clinic with no problems and I am totally satisfied.

Sorry this is not to do with this thread but I thought someone reading this might be able to help. I am looking for someone involved in building homes for veterans, I have a number of lights from a new house, that replaced and I would like to donate them to a worthy cause.

You have no Idea if you haven't attempted to call them.

thx, great advice, but You have no Idea if you haven't attempted to call them.

You have no Idea if you haven't attempted to call them.

Call Jack at the DAV (352) 250-4743

The emergency room at the VA Gainesville Hospital is just like any other ER at a regular hospital. I called my Villages VA doctor on the Friday after Thanksgiving in 2012 with a problem. She said come right in, and after I arrived and she saw me, she said you need to go straight to the ER in Gainesville. I drove the hour and 15 minutes to the hospital and was admitted and stayed 3 days. At the time that portion of the hospital was only a year old and the room was beautiful. It was a private room and even had a couch that made into a bed that my wife used to rest. So if you're not getting the proper service, I say go to the ER and maybe they can get this sorted out and have you see the proper specialist. They maybe can do things that your local VA doctors cannot, at least my doctor realized that and sent me to Gainesville.