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Need some advice from the been there done that crowd


nana25k

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Let me say upfront that as a former nurse and Navy Family Ombudsman I'm pretty good at solving problems. I am also a proactive person feeling that presenting a solution is often easier than waiting for someone to screw something up.

However I may be hitting a road block

Following certain tests it is highly likely that Ron will be on a daily self injectable for his Osteoporosis.

Generally we do not use the VA for his regular care, finding TFL easier.

But alas this situation is different

So here's the conundrum

 

We have never used VA for meds, instead using Express Scripts. We find it simple and easy to change our temp address at will

I spoke at length to the pharmacy, Traveling Nurse Assistant and the supervisor of the medical records staff at the Pittsburgh VA about how to change our temporary address every 3 months ( its an over night shipped refrigerated drug) and assure proper delivery. Their only solution was our calling them 30 days in advance to assure they had it on hand.Then order. Well heck. Darned if we will Always know that far in advance where well be. Also we are told that this address change will actually change his address across the system including his permanent one

(Does anyone see a potential for disaster here ??)

Contacting Express Scripts of course requires no checking to see if its in stock

 

So of course I messaged the Dr, told her to fax the script to Express Scripts. The drug does requires an initial preapproval and I even gave her the number for her nurse to call to do this. Lord its not ROCKET SCIENCE!!!

 

Nope she'll print him a script, doesn't think she's allowed to contact Express Scripts for the pre approval etc

 

Lord I want to scream!!!! Yes in reality it would be simpler to use a private specialist. However we have very specific reasons for this care being in his VA record, diagnosed by the VA

So who's solved this problem

Ron & Linda

Class of 2007
2000 Monaco Diplomat

2005 Honda Element

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" Theodore Roosevelt

"We can't control the wind, but we can adjust our sail"

"When man gave up his freedom to roam the earth, he gave up his soul for a conditioned ego that is bound by time and the fear of losing its attachments."

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I suppose just leaving Ron at the VA wouldn't be an option ? :D

 

If you simply want the diagnoses and original prescription on VA record , why can't you stay close for the while that that takes . Then switch to the private sector .

Or is there something I'm missing ?

Goes around , comes around .

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I suppose just leaving Ron at the VA wouldn't be an option ? :D

 

If you simply want the diagnoses and original prescription on VA record , why can't you stay close for the while that that takes . Then switch to the private sector .

Or is there something I'm missing ?

I tried leaving him! He ran down the hall screaming so they made bring him home!!!

We have a commitment this fall that we can't change ( other health related issue being treated by a private Dr elsewhere in the country).

 

We need to get him on this drug ASAP as his Osteo is very bad.

Ron & Linda

Class of 2007
2000 Monaco Diplomat

2005 Honda Element

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" Theodore Roosevelt

"We can't control the wind, but we can adjust our sail"

"When man gave up his freedom to roam the earth, he gave up his soul for a conditioned ego that is bound by time and the fear of losing its attachments."

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Express Scripts fills VA meds. IN the mean time,, Doc put me on Eliqus and not rat poison following a PE. Pre Approval required --- Took 3 weeks.

 

I UNDERSTAND - be patient

Oh I Can be patient. Express Scripts manager actually told me that by phoning they can get it approved before the nurse hangs up. Its frustrating that I have literally put the process in the Dr hands and she seems reluctant to just do it.

Ron & Linda

Class of 2007
2000 Monaco Diplomat

2005 Honda Element

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" Theodore Roosevelt

"We can't control the wind, but we can adjust our sail"

"When man gave up his freedom to roam the earth, he gave up his soul for a conditioned ego that is bound by time and the fear of losing its attachments."

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Doctors time is money. Have a friendly conversation with the Dr., and ask if she/he can call while you are there for an office visit. This way Dr. is getting paid for time spent. All they can do is turn your proposal down, or make the call.

 

2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.  John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961

 

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I've had great success using the secure messaging function on myHealtheVet. My doctors can call in a prescription to the pharmacy of my choosing if needed.

 

I haven't even tried to get a doctor on the phone, but for me it is just easier to just leave a message and get a response - and all the interactions get nicely swept up into my health record so it is all documented.

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I have changed my shiiping address with the VA a couple of times, but I was usually staying put for a couple of months when I did. It wasn't a problem. I also use the secure messaging to contact my VA Dr. and it has worked very well. Good luck with getting your hubby the care he needs and deserves.

Gary & Penny

2015 Lance 1172

2005 Chevy 3500

2013 Bass Tracker 190 Pro Team

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Nana

 

I get all my med's from the VA. My PC Doc is in HI and they put in temp address changes for me all the time. I have never got my med's from the VA via Express Script. My wife deals with Express Script all the time and I want no part of them. I use my vet msg's all the time and have never had a problem getting temp address change with my Doc's

 

Dennis

USA Master Sergeant Ret.

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Is the Dr your civilian TFL doc or a VA doc? In my experience, the civilian docs I use (PCM and specialists) are MUCH more responsive than any VA doc I have dealt with. So I stopped dealing with the VA docs.

The Dr is a VA specialist.

 

I have changed my shiiping address with the VA a couple of times, but I was usually staying put for a couple of months when I did. It wasn't a problem. I also use the secure messaging to contact my VA Dr. and it has worked very well. Good luck with getting your hubby the care he needs and deserves.

Did you experience them changing your address across the board or just with the pharmacy ?

Ron & Linda

Class of 2007
2000 Monaco Diplomat

2005 Honda Element

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" Theodore Roosevelt

"We can't control the wind, but we can adjust our sail"

"When man gave up his freedom to roam the earth, he gave up his soul for a conditioned ego that is bound by time and the fear of losing its attachments."

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I told them that it was just a temporary change and they didn't have any issues with it. I also went to a VA hospital while traveling for care and they took care of me with no issues even though they were not my primary VA care giver. The only difference I saw was that the bill I received for my copay and meds was from a different source than my primary clinic in Fla.

Gary & Penny

2015 Lance 1172

2005 Chevy 3500

2013 Bass Tracker 190 Pro Team

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