[sbm]

We will be closing on our new home in TV end of this month. Won't be moving full time until summer of 2009 though. I am a veteran on a partial disability and wondering if there is easy access and good care at the VA center in the area. I understand they are building a clinic close to the TV soon. My hope is that I will be able to use the VA as my primary care. Does that sound feasible?
Thanks,
Steve

[mokey]

I use the VA facility as a primary care. They do blood work and basic things, but any major test you have to go to Gainesville to the VA Hospital. They say the new facility on CR 42 will be partly ready 2010 early I believe. I am going to also get me a back up doctor here in the Village until then. Good luck on your move, great to have you here.

[Shirleevee]

My husband, Sailor was told that to be treated at TV VA facility, he must first register at the VA Hospital either in Gainsville or Tampa. This is in order to access his medical records.


Shirleevee

[kb8tpw]

Any update on the new VA facility. I close next week and will be moving full time in the next few months and had hoped that I could rely on the local facility for most things and not have to frequent Gainesville all that often. I currently live near a major VA hospital and get quite a bit of care there though I rely primarily on a large USAF medical hospital, which I'll miss I'm sure. Had hoped the new local VA facility would fill the gap for the most part. I am rertired USAF and 70% SC in VA system. Thanks.

[784caroline]

Im certain I read an article this week in the Village SUN that the new VA CLinic was expected to open in August of this year.

[otherbruddaDarrell]

The tentative opening is scheduled for August. Our clinic here at TV only does simple things like shots/bloodwork etc.
I have to go to Gainsville for most other things at the present. When the new center opens in August I will be able to see the lung Dr. here instead.
Some of the Veterans from Leesburg are trying to transfer to the TV's now and are being told that they will be placed on a waiting list 'till August.
My understanding is that the Vets from Leesburg now have to go to Tampa (we go to Gainsville) and once the new center is opened it will save them a lot of travel.
When I first moved here from N.W. Indiana all I had to do was go to TV clinic to transfer my records......not to Gainsville or Tampa.
An interesting thing I found was that the General Contractor (Hamstra Builders ) is from the same small town area I came from...Wheatfield/Demotte

[handieman]

I cannot say enough nice comments about the folks at the Laurel Manor VA clinic and the folks at Gainesville. The transfer from my "up north VA" to here was painless and they got right at making sure I was still healthy with blood work and typical testing. With healthcare so much in limbo I thank God every day for the VA medical centers
Handie

[784caroline]

Question: How does someone who spends 6 months here and 6 months up north handle the transfer of health records with the VA! If your records are up north can you get treatment here without transferring records!

[glgene]

Originally Posted by handieman

I cannot say enough nice comments about the folks at the Laurel Manor VA clinic and the folks at Gainesville. The transfer from my "up north VA" to here was painless and they got right at making sure I was still healthy with blood work and typical testing. With healthcare so much in limbo I thank God every day for the VA medical centers
Handie

Handie,

Is the new VA center in The Villages available only to retirement servicemen, or any former serviceman (I served in the USAF 4 years)?

Any other details you can provide would be appreciated.

Gene

[Bryan]

The VA Clinic in TV (currently at Laurel Manor, soon to be at Mulberry Grove) treats all vets who qualify. You can go to the clinic, get paperwork, and get qualified.

Another great resource for all vets is the Vets Service Office in the Sumter County Government Annex Building on CR 466 near Morse Boulevard. Stop by to see them - great folks who will help you a lot.

For retired vets, if you have Medicare as primary and Tricare For Life (TFL) as secondary, you will find all kinds of places in and around TV to treat you. With Medicare and TFL, you will seldom pay anything at all.

Last item, for all vets needing to go to the hospital in Gainesville, the DAV runs a daily (free) van from TV to Gainesville VA and return. Call the DAV Dispatcher at the VA Clinic in TV to schedule a ride. You have to be at Spanish Springs at 0645 hours for pickup and return time is based on time of last persons appointment. They won't take your reservation if your appointment time in Gainesville is after noon so make morning appointments. You can make an 8 AM appointment but you may be a few minutes late for it as the van typically arrives in Gainesville around 8:10 - 8:20.

[handieman]

I served 4 years in the USAF also and enjoy excellent benefits from the local VA. By all means, I encourage all veterans to use this wonderful new facility come August and in the meantime, the Laurel Manor clinic is great. It just gets better and better, living here in The Villages
Handie

[otherbruddaDarrell]

I agree with you handieman. My father, brother and myself have used the V.A. and have nothing but praise for them.
Before dad passed away he had both knees replaced and also open heart surgery as well as being treated for his war time injuries. My brother and I both have service related disabilities and am very thankfull for having such caring people at the V.A.

[Sgt Mac]

The VA health clinic has 8 category of Veterans and they do not take all, as most of the hospitals in Florida are full take a look at the web site

http://www4.va.gov/healtheligibility/

Sgt

[Donna]

Does any one know how to contact the new VA facility for employment?

[Joramy]

Start with

http://www.northflorida.va.gov/careers/index.asp

Then go to US Jobs (link is provided). This should tell you what you need to know.