Who To Contact About Problems With VA Choice Program?

[Hawkeye99]

Does anyone know who I should contact about problems getting an appointment using the VA Choice Program?

About 3 months ago, VA Urology forwarded me to the VA Choice Program to get a semen analysis done since the VA doesn't do that procedure. Long story short, I've been going round and round with the Choice people trying to get this appointment.

Initially they scheduled me with someone that didn't perform that procedure and that med office told me that I would have to pay for the visit (didn't end up going there, obviously). After several phone calls with the Choice folks in the last 3 months and having my case supposedly escalated to a supervisor just recently, I am amazed how incompetent these people are. Everytime I call, they tell me I will get a call back and I never do. I have been recording these phone calls for documentation. I'm thinking about putting together a youtube video so people can see how difficult this is. lol

I was thinking about contacting my Senator, since I am already going thru his office for a AFBCMR claim, but I was wondering if there is someone within the VA or another federal agency I can contact to get this resolved. Any ideas?

 

[gsfowler]

Have you tried the patient advocate at the VA Medical Center? AFW2 may also be able to help. If you would like to PM me your location I can see what I can dig up.

 

[Hawkeye99]

Have you tried the patient advocate at the VA Medical Center? AFW2 may also be able to help. If you would like to PM me your location I can see what I can dig up.

Didn't think of trying a patient advocate. I'm in Denver, CO.
I'm not sure where the people are located for the Choice program. The phone messaging asks for my zip code, so I'm guessing they have people all over the country.

 

[gsfowler]

The choice program is administered by Triwest and the VA has appointment scheduling coordinators that help with the program.

Unfortunately the program did not work as well as anticipated and has gone through many growing pains.

The patient advocate should be able to link you up with one of the senior members (one of the eight bosses asking for TPS reports) in the hospital to assist you in getting the referral completed.

 

[Hawkeye99]

The choice program is administered by Triwest and the VA has appointment scheduling coordinators that help with the program.

Unfortunately the program did not work as well as anticipated and has gone through many growing pains.

The patient advocate should be able to link you up with one of the senior members (one of the eight bosses asking for TPS reports) in the hospital to assist you in getting the referral completed.

Awesome! Thank You! You think if I just call the main number to the hospital, they'll be able to forward me to a patient advocate?

 

[gsfowler]

You can call, however if you have time drop in and do a face to face. Bring everything you have to make their job easy. The patient advocate is the most respected and feared employee, the department chiefs do not like to cross swords with them. Try not to be too emotional, just ask them politely to help.

You can also try the OIF/OEF transition patient coordinators office, I'm not sure if you have met them but they are very nice in my hospital and always help me.