After military service members retire, they have to carry out everyday activities and care for their health just like any other person. Unfortunately, for some, it can be difficult to visit doctors after retiring from the military since many VA medical offices are overwhelmed and understaffed.
To make your experience a little less stressful the next time you visit the VA office, considered the 5 tips our South Carolina veterans disability lawyers have listed below:
1. Schedule Your Appointment After a Lunch Hour or Early in the Morning.
It may be wise to schedule an appointment first thing in the morning or directly after a lunch hour. Because the physicians at VA offices are not required to abide by a daily quota, the physicians are able to take time for each appointment when they’re free. By scheduling an appointment at the beginning of the day or after lunch, you can be sure that your doctor takes their time to examine all of your medical needs and answers any questions you may have.
2. If You Need to See a Specialty Clinic, Contact the Clinic (Yourself) to Schedule an Appointment.
If you are advised to visit a specialty clinic, it is crucial that you contact the clinic yourself. In many cases, veterans will wait until the specialty clinic contacts them first. However, it can take weeks for a specialty clinic to contact a person in need. For this reason, if you are referred to a physician, contact that office yourself and schedule an appointment at a suitable time.
3. Request an Appointment for the Next Day
Most of the time, a person will set a doctor’s appointment days or weeks in advance, However, sources state that requesting an appointment the next day is possible and highly recommended. You may be surprised to find that many VA offices will have openings the next day.
4. Visit the Emergency Room if You Need to Be Seen Right Away.
If you are unable to make an appointment in a suitable amount of time and you feel as though you need to be seen right away, walk into a VA emergency room. At the very least, the doctor who sees you may be able to put in a referral so that you can be seen at the hospital.
5. Make a List of Issues You Want to Discuss During Your Appointment
Before your appointment, make a list of health-related issues you would like to address. During the appointment, use this list to bring up key points you would like to discuss, and make any notes about specialty physicians or offices you should visit based on your needs and the doctor’s advice. In addition, have your physician verify the details you have recorded to ensure you visit the correct specialty offices in the future.
George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers Cares About Your Rights and Future
If you are a veteran and would like to discuss veterans’ benefits, contact our veterans’ disability attorneys right away. We can examine your case and determine which strategies can help you receive the care and medical attention you need. Contact our firm today and let us be your voice!
To discuss your case, contact George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers today, or fill out a free consultation form online. We are available 24/7!
*Source: http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/26400/how-i-hack-the-va-healthcare-system-for-a-great-experience/