Veteran's Medical

[sv459]

My question involves insurance law for the state of: FL

I hope that this is the appropriate place to post this.

My husband went to the Miami VA emergency room earlier this year. He was in great pain and mistakenly gave his income from 2006 instead of 2007. When he updated the means test information, he was told that he do not meet the requirements for treatment. He has no other insurance and does not make enough to afford private care. He is willing to make the co-pay, but they still refused to continue treatment for a herniated disk. He started urinating blood two days ago and cannot afford to go to the doctor for tests and treatment. Is there anything he can do to get treatment at the VA? I've looked at the requirements and all I can think of is that maybe he's not a "new" patient since he was treated in 1980 at the Dallas VA after a serious car accident.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

[ashman165]

My question involves insurance law for the state of: FL

I hope that this is the appropriate place to post this.

My husband went to the Miami VA emergency room earlier this year. He was in great pain and mistakenly gave his income from 2006 instead of 2007. When he updated the means test information, he was told that he do not meet the requirements for treatment. He has no other insurance and does not make enough to afford private care. He is willing to make the co-pay, but they still refused to continue treatment for a herniated disk. He started urinating blood two days ago and cannot afford to go to the doctor for tests and treatment. Is there anything he can do to get treatment at the VA? I've looked at the requirements and all I can think of is that maybe he's not a "new" patient since he was treated in 1980 at the Dallas VA after a serious car accident.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Does he have a DD FM 214 which lists his honorable discharge? If so, he's eligible for care at the VA provided he spent 2 years on active duty or meets one of the exceptions found here, and as based on the priority groups (including the freeze) which can be found here.

There may also be a state law which prohibits any hospital from refusing medicare care for any life-threatening illness/injury. Perhaps that he's bleeding somewhere internally will qualify him. It's best to talk with the VA people again.

[sv459]

Yes, in fact he has two honerable discharges from where he reenlisted after a year away. Unfortunately, his priority group is 8. However, as I stated earlier, he was hospitalized in 1980, but didn't re-enroll since. We're trying to find a way back in. After all, their Fact Sheet 164-1, October 2008 uses the words "...you MAY no longer be able to receive VA medical care, even if you agree to make copays" instead of the more concrete "shall not.."

Thanks for your help.