VA Gulf Coast Healthcare System

These folks saved my life. Or at least that I what I like to think. I live in New Orleans, and before they had finished the new VA, I wasn't sure what to do in case of emergency. I had come for an ear infection a few years ago, and they helped then. More recently, I had been having some issues with pain and digestion, came in, they ran a few tests, did a CT scan and next thing I knew, I was being admitted because of my gall bladder. They said if I had waited any longer, I would not have made it. So I am very grateful. My follow up care was very good. Please, take your health seriously everyone. You only get one life, make the most of it.

I tried all day Thursday, April 11, 2019 to get through to the patient advocate. The telephone number listed in the phone directory is incorrect. I had to go through the operator each time to be transferred. I kept getting a message that all representatives were busy, to select 1 to receive a call back, 2 to continue to hold. I left the message for a callback at 10:00 am. When I did not hear from anyone, I called again at about 1:00 pm and was put through by the operator. I was on hold for 2 hours, 13 minutes before I was disconnected. The message kept saying I was first in line. I called operator again and asked to speak to someone in Administration. The operator informed me that according to protocol I could only be transferred to the Patient Advocate. Then I decided to try a couple of other VA patient advocate telephone numbers, just to see if I could get anyone on the phone at the Mobile VA and the Jackson VA. The Mobile VA number rang for 5 minutes, 35 seconds. No one ever answered. I had a similar experience with the Jackson VA number. There was no option to leave a message. So it seems the whole patient advocate (aka ombudsman) program is a complete sham. And the veteran cannot even report the problem to anyone because the main operator would not transfer me to someone in Administration who is responsible for managing the program. Guess I will send a snail mail letter but do not expect to get a response. Since I live almost 100 miles from the VA, it is difficult to show up in person. And even if I did show up to the office, I have grave doubts that there is anyone there who can help me. Very, very poor service.

The VA owes me travel pay from 1 Oct 2018. I was told there’s a 2 week back log. I called again and they said it’s now a 6 week back log. I tried calling to get a status and for the remainder of 2018 until today, no one has picked up the phone. I finally reached the supervisor and my travel voucher miraculously disappeared. I was told I’m too far away to receive travel pay but I received travel pay prior to 1 Oct 2018. This has led me to believe either they’re liars or just plain shady. It’s simply pathetic how they can’t keep up with paperwork and don’t inform people on situations like this on how travel pay is “supposedly” only for certain areas.

Junk went in after 10 seizures in a 2 hr period. Did scans etc said and I quote I'm healthy as a horse. Get home look on my health vet and low and behold just about everything is either hi or low scans show noduals that have double in size never ever was mentioned to me. Nor that I am anaemic. Nodual on my lung and liver. I hate the va system and just about anyone who is affiliated with them. Let's go private health care

The mental health aspect(at least for me) has been outstanding. Everything else-terrible. At least it is for female veterans. I was a nurse for 22 yrs-in healthcare for 25 years. I literally (and I'm using this word correctly) almost died to a physician in their ER. He missed the following: pneumonia, a gallbladder that had been ruptured for approximately 2 months, I had peritonitis, going into sepsis. He sent me home with 3 ativans-0.25. I found out what he missed because he sent me home in a taxi with the diagnosis of "anxiety". I got home and knew something was still terribly wrong. Called 911 told them to get to the nearest hospital. The hospital in Bay St. Louis did their jobs correctly and SAVED MY LIFE! I later confronted this VA ER physician-his last name rhymes with Hilton. I gave him a chance to apologize. He didn't. My surgeon and attending told me later...after the emergency surgery)that I had maybe 2 hours left on my clock if that surgery and subsequent IV antibiotics had not taken place. Do not go to the VA ER and expect good or even just decent care. I reported all of this to the OIG- they did absolutely nothing. I just recently found out that you can use VA M.D.'S. But it's been over 2 yrs so I'm sol. As far as healthcare for females in the women's clinic I've asked that basic labs be done-its been over 2 yrs, I've asked at least twice to be entered into the smoking cessation program-again nothing has been done. I've complained of bilateral knee pain for well over 2 yrs-the PA sent me to physical therapy- that guy said "there's nothing wrong with your knees". I insisted that there was. He became very defensive and said "what do you expect us to do?". I said maybe an MRI a CT scan, something. He started yelling at me. He was AWFUL! I had an appointment with the PA a few weeks later. My knees were clearly swollen. The PA palates my knees and with a bit of surprise in her voice stated "you've got bursitis". I could go on about all of the terrible healthcare I have received at the BILOXI VA. I treat my pain myself with ibuprofen and the PA gets on me about the dosage I take. She's not doing anything. I requested a change of provider over 1 and 1/2 yrs ago and still nothing has been done. I cannot afford private sector healthcare- so I'm stuck. I don't know who is running that show but whoever it is needs to either make serious changes or get out of the way for someone who's even a little bit competent. My entire family of origin has served this country. In times of war and times of peace. We have a pilot who was held and tortured for 6 years- it wasn't just John McCain-there were 5 other pilots shot down and captured by VC. Another uncle was hit by a mortar round and spent 2 and 1/2 yrs at Fort Sam Houston having his burns scrubbed daily. We've done alot and sacrificed for our country. Thanks VA healthcare(if u can call it that) for less than nothing. My nephew was back from Iraq or Afghanistan and found my mother's picture in the Marine museum. I'll stop now. Sorry for carrying on. Julia