[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.

[rubicon]

It would seem that the only focus should be on securing the needed treatment. It would seem that the medical providers ought to be able to assist this cancer patient wih info on potential modes of travel?

[redwitch]

I believe there is a shuttle from the VA Clinic here to the Gainesville VA. Call the clinic and ask. An emergency, I would think, would be treated at nearest facility rather waiting for a transport to go to Gainesville.

[borjo]

The local VA clinic at Mulberry does not handle emergencies but sends you to Gainesville. We were seen immediately in Gainesville at the ER. It was a one hour drive. How long would you have to wait in our local ER? Yes, the van goes up there but I think only once a day.

[VT2TV]

I think the VA clinic closes at 4:30 or so. The best bet is to talk to the PCP and ask them about transport options. The area we were from had actual ambulance services who did transports to other hospitals. The local EMS cannot leave the area to go that far. I agree if it is an actual emergency, then the person should seek treatment in a local Emergenct Department

[Nightengale212]

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.

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.

[GeoGeo]

Thank you so much for the information. It brings piece of mind knowing that there is an option if something happens and nobody is home to transport him.

By the way, would you know if the VA would pay for both transportation charges....to take him to the local hospital and then to transport him to the VA, if he needed to be admitted?

[Nightengale212]

Originally Posted by GeoGeo

Thank you so much for the information. It brings piece of mind knowing that there is an option if something happens and nobody is home to transport him.

By the way, would you know if the VA would pay for both transportation charges....to take him to the local hospital and then to transport him to the VA, if he needed to be admitted?

I am at work and just got off the phone with my friend who was a former Travel Coordinator and he said the VA should pay all transport bills as long as the patient notifies the Non VA Dept. as soon as possible after the travel is rendered.

Also, your friend may be eligible for travel pay if he is below a certain income threshold or he is a 30% or above service connected disabled Vet. What this means is if a friend drives him from TV to Gainsville for an appointment, or he drives himself he will get reinbursed about 55 cents a mile. The Travel Coordinator can tell your friend if he is eligible for this.

[John_W]

I had to make six trips to the Gainesville VA in August for cataract surgery. They paid $47 for each trip from the south end of TV. They only make direct deposit into your checking account now, no more check in the mail. When you turn in your first request, include the second form with your account info.

Two years ago I had an emergency, I went to my doctor at the Mulberry VA and as soon as she saw me, she said go straight up to Gainesville. I'll call and let them know you're on the way. I drove myself and when I got to the ER, I waited from noon until 9:30 that night. It was right after the Thanksgiving 4 day weekend, they apologized because they said normally it's only about a 2 hour wait.