Anyone in here a veteran who uses the the VA for healthcare in the Denver/Front Range area?

I was previously in Colorado Springs but didn’t use VA until just before I left. I only had one or two appointments after I lost my job and private healthcare.

I’m currently in Little Rock, AR and use VA here for all my healthcare. I’m considering a move from Arkansas back to Colorado but to the Denver area this time. The VA here has been great with only minor delays in well used areas of care. I’ve used primary care mostly but they’ll send me off to speciality clinics for exams and other care occassionally. Every interaction here has been better than any civilian or military care I’ve had before.

How is the VA on the Front Range?

  • Is it overcrowded with tons of delays for any care or is is reasonable to get timely care if you aren’t a grumpy old curmudgeon who lives to complain?
  • Will the providers spend time with you and work with you to get your needs met or is care more like a drive through where you only get a few minutes with a provider at each appointment?
  • How are things like imaging, gastrointestinal? eye clinic? mail order pharmacy? physical therapy?
  • How often do you have to rely on community care?

Any other general advice or thoughts?

  • 667@lemmy.radioEnglish
    3·
    2 months ago

    There’s all sorts. Not all of them are old curmudgeons, either. A buddy of mine proclaimed that he let the poor person on the end of a VA line have it and I scolded him for it.

    I’ve always tried to be calm and courteous, and I feel I’ve always received respect in return. I always try to be an advocate in my own care, so I spend some time studying my issues and try to use the same language with the doctors and nurses; they seem to appreciate that because medical terminology is so precise, it helps them to understand what I mean without them having to figure it out and provide care.

    You seem like a good one. Keep it up.