2006-11-12 06:16:48 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
A veteran does not have to go to a Veterans Hospital. It is an option available. If a veteran wants to have the coverage cared for, for an injury or condition that occurred while in the military, or if they reached retirement status, then they can go to a veterans hospital.
2006-11-12 06:20:04 · answer #1 · answered by jh 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
All those answering this question and saying that all veterans can get free medical care at VA hospitals is wrong. The only reason you can get free medical care at a VA hospital is if you were in OIF/OEF; you will get 2 free years of medical care at any VA in the country, or you are 100% service connected. Which means you had an injury or illness in the military that you are getting compensation for now.
I am a Veteran and I do not recieve free medical care at a VA hospital. I work at a VA hospital, so I know what is going on. VA hospitals bill just like any other hospital. Most vets go to the VA for their care, because they love the commraderie of being there. They can talk and relate to other Vets. Plus the healthcare they recieve is top notch.
2006-11-12 19:41:04 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My theory is that the veteran hospital is customed to taking care of soldiers. Another theory is that most militay/solders come up with mysterious illnesses and the government prefers it to be treated by trained staff that know how to keep this stuff a secret,,,even from the patient. My dad had agent orange and died. the regular civillian doctors said it was lukemia but it was not. Then the VA hospital tried to deny it was the Marines fault. So for years and with everyone comming out about this "agent orange" , we proved it was this chemical in vietnam. Since then, POW soldiers and others comming from Iraq are having mysterious illnesses and they are being ignored, some illnesses are not to be public so VA has their own records and keep them confidential only to VA and military staff.
2006-11-12 14:32:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ahhh...the VA. My best argument against a National Healthcare Plan. you can go to a civilian hospital, but you must pay. If you are retired and live too far from a military base or a VA, there are some facilities that work with the VA for payment.
2006-11-12 14:21:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
you get free care at a veteren's hospital. and it doesn't matter if you were injured while on duty. it doesn't matter when the illness or injury came about. you can go to a reg. one but you have to pay.
2006-11-12 14:25:56 · answer #5 · answered by naturegirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a veteran, Willy, and I can go to a veteran hospital if i wish, but i don't have to go to one. you sound like a veteran who doesn't have information about your benefits. of course, if you're not working and have no medical benefits, you, like non civilians, must pay out of pocket, or get the VA hospital benefits you don't have to pay for and others are not entitled to.
2006-11-12 14:22:21 · answer #6 · answered by heyrobo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Veterans don't have to go to VA hospitals. However, if they don't have any other medical coverage the VA hospitals will treat them free of charge.
2006-11-12 14:30:24 · answer #7 · answered by Daddy Big Dawg 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my husband is a veteran and he goes to our family doctor for care. you need to check with Tricare and see about why you can't use a civilian doctor like we do. Good Luck
2006-11-15 21:25:36 · answer #8 · answered by buddy95 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Join the Armed Forces of the USA and you, too, can have the priviledge of going to the VA.
2006-11-12 14:21:08 · answer #9 · answered by Vagabond5879 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
vetrans get free medical care for life as a perk of having been in the military. if you go to a civilian doctor you will have to pay out of pocket.
2006-11-12 14:20:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋