Veteran has both prosthetic legs repossessed by the VA

[AshG]

Army veteran has prosthetic legs repossessed after VA refuses to pay for them: "Medicare did not send me to Vietnam"

Yeah, this pisses me off.

First and foremost: if you served our country as a member of our Armed Services, you shouldn't have to worry about crap like this. Period.

Second: for those of you who don't know or understand, have a chronic illness or disease is a full time job. Navigating the requirements and avoiding the red flags found in insurance, public or private, is traumatic. Our veterans don't deserve that. No one deserves that.

Last: Prosthetics are custom made for each individual. Once an amputee takes possession of a prosthetic, only a few certain parts can be reused. So whoever came took them away to let them sit and collect dust in a closet.

 

[AshG]

Hanger Prosthetics, the company involved in the story, is the provider for my prosthetic. I know the process required for getting a prosthetic while still in managed care; they would not have been left with him in the first place unless there had been an agreement in place already to pay for them.

This is fishy.

 

[37L1]

Hanger Prosthetics, the company involved in the story, is the provider for my prosthetic. I know the process required for getting a prosthetic while still in managed care; they would not have been left with him in the first place unless there had been an agreement in place already to pay for them.

This is fishy.

I read the article (most of it) I stopped when it became apparent he was trying to make a point about having the VA rather than Medicare handle his case. He said something about a copay and that he needed to sign "a paper" but wouldn't so the prosthetics were taken from him. He doesn't sound blameless in this matter, it's still sad though.

 

[AshG]

I read the article (most of it) I stopped when it became apparent he was trying to make a point about having the VA rather than Medicare handle his case. He said something about a copay and that he needed to sign "a paper" but wouldn't so the prosthetics were taken from him. He doesn't sound blameless in this matter, it's still sad though.

The process is a mess, and there is significant evidence that institutionalization - including rehab hospital and skilled nursing care centers - leads to cognitive decline that increases the longer one stays.

At the same time, this happened in Mississippi. Everyone involved in the story should have had the brakes on to prevent something like this from happening, but that state is so ass-backwards that I'm surprised there haven't been more stories like this one.

 

[volbeast33]

The process is a mess, and there is significant evidence that institutionalization - including rehab hospital and skilled nursing care centers - leads to cognitive decline that increases the longer one stays.

At the same time, this happened in Mississippi. Everyone involved in the story should have had the brakes on to prevent something like this from happening, but that state is so ass-backwards that I'm surprised there haven't been more stories like this one.

Staying in a skilled nursing center does not lead to cognitive decline and also I have had zero issues working with hangar.... They are typically one of the better prosthetic companies to deal with. I would like to hear the whole story of what happened in this instance.

 

[AshG]

Staying in a skilled nursing center does not lead to cognitive decline and also I have had zero issues working with hangar.... They are typically one of the better prosthetic companies to deal with. I would like to hear the whole story of what happened in this instance.

I'll have to do some digging on my source material for the first part, but I have no qualms standing beside my claim that long term residential care is accompanied by cognitive decline in many patients.

Edit: Found it. Functional decline in nursing home residents: A prognostic study

And I love Hanger. I've been a patient now in three states. My latest leg is bad-ass. That's what I'm saying; they wouldn't do this, something is off.

 

[volbeast33]

I'll have to do some digging on my source material for the first part, but I have no qualms standing beside my claim that long term residential care is accompanied by cognitive decline in many patients.

And I love Hanger. I've been a patient now in three states. My latest leg is bad-ass. That's what I'm saying; they wouldn't do this, something is off.

Most skilled rehab facilities treat patients that are already on a cognitive downswing.... it always gets worse but it’s not bc of the facility. Typically if a rehab patient comes there and stays active then they show marked improvement.... if they just lay in the bed then they will show a decline.... it is all what the individual gets out of it.

As for the prosthetic issue..... I do a lot of ordering with hangar and typically Medicare B is used for reimbursement.... it sounds like he should of went to VA prescribed dealer and the VA would have covered his prosthetics.

 

[tennvols77]

ALL military veterans deserve more than they get.

They should never pay for anything health care wise. Ever.

They should be given more than the politicians are currently getting and taking.

 

[hog88]

ALL military veterans deserve more than they get.

They should never pay for anything health care wise. Ever.

They should be given more than the politicians are currently getting and taking.

While I agree with you about politicians, why should veterans get free healthcare for life?

 

[tennvols77]

While I agree with you about politicians, why should veterans get free healthcare for life?

Perk for their duty. If politicians and government workers get what they do, military deserve more.

It is the most important of civic duties in this country, and they should be given something that is deserving of that.

I have no other reason than that I feel it is just the right thing to do.

 

[hog88]

Perk for their duty. If politicians and government workers get what they do, military deserve more.

It is the most important of civic duties in this country, and they should be given something that is deserving of that.

I have no other reason than that I feel it is just the right thing to do.

I disagree but ok.

 

[FLVOL_79]

Perk for their duty. If politicians and government workers get what they do, military deserve more.

It is the most important of civic duties in this country, and they should be given something that is deserving of that.

I have no other reason than that I feel it is just the right thing to do.

As an 8 year vet I can say I disagree with this. I know people who never deployed during a 20 year career who joined in the 90's..They went through Afghanistan and Iraq wars and never left their CONUS base. Their biggest sacrifice? Having to not get fat, get a terrible haircut, and shave everyday.

 

[Rickyvol77]

I read the article (most of it) I stopped when it became apparent he was trying to make a point about having the VA rather than Medicare handle his case. He said something about a copay and that he needed to sign "a paper" but wouldn't so the prosthetics were taken from him. He doesn't sound blameless in this matter, it's still sad though.

they asked him to pay like $400 over a 2 year period and to sign the paperwork saying he agreed to take the legs home and he refused and left AMA, which means he doesnt get the legs OR get any further assistance with them....He wanted to be stubborn and make a point, and his diabetes that caused his issues didnt come from military service

 

[DancingOutlaw]

While I agree with you about politicians, why should veterans get free healthcare for life?

I would submit our government has a lengthy track record lying about what troops are really being exposed to and then denying everything when they start getting sick. So I don’t think free medical is a big deal if you were involuntarily exposed to something dangerous 20 years ago.

 

[tennvols77]

As an 8 year vet I can say I disagree with this. I know people who never deployed during a 20 year career who joined in the 90's..They went through Afghanistan and Iraq wars and never left their CONUS base. Their biggest sacrifice? Having to not get fat, get a terrible haircut, and shave everyday.

I didn't read the article.........and seeing Rickyvol77's post makes me not want to.

I guess my belief is just more altruistic than maybe sensible. Regardless of physical harm or psychiatric or emotional trauma, they still signed up and served, even the ones who sang in choir or worked in a cubicle in acquisitions and mergers here domestically should still receive something close to free for life. There is no greater duty to this country, even in cleaning dishes or latrines. They are all part of what keeps us free.

But, this is more of a "feels" thing to me than logical. I guess I just don't want any vet to have to worry or be put in any situation of personal strain monetarily, physically, or mentally. Ease and convenience and as care free of an existence with the best health care possible should be a priority.

 

[FLVOL_79]

I didn't read the article.........and seeing Rickyvol77's post makes me not want to.

I guess my belief is just more altruistic than maybe sensible. Regardless of physical harm or psychiatric or emotional trauma, they still signed up and served, even the ones who sang in choir or worked in a cubicle in acquisitions and mergers here domestically should still receive something close to free for life. There is no greater duty to this country, even in cleaning dishes or latrines. They are all part of what keeps us free.

But, this is more of a "feels" thing to me than logical. I guess I just don't want any vet to have to worry or be put in any situation of personal strain monetarily, physically, or mentally. Ease and convenience and as care free of an existence with the best health care possible should be a priority.

We get a lot benefits. Most vets can get free healthcare for life from the VA. Some of us make too much money to get it free.

 

[happy-go_vol]

While I agree with you about politicians, why should veterans get free healthcare for life?

Why should illegals?

 

[hog88]

I would submit our government has a lengthy track record lying about what troops are really being exposed to and then denying everything when they start getting sick. So I don’t think free medical is a big deal if you were involuntarily exposed to something dangerous 20 years ago.

This is true and veterans who have been injured on duty should receive all benefits and care they deserve.

 

[hog88]

Why should illegals?

Because they are more valuable to the country.

 

[tennvols77]

We get a lot benefits. Most vets can get free healthcare for life from the VA. Some of us make too much money to get it free.

That should have no influence or part in any determination of any benefit, one benefit for all, same and standard and all should be upper echelon and static for everyone, shouldn't reduce or limit because of economic situation.

 

[utvolpj]

I would submit our government has a lengthy track record lying about what troops are really being exposed to and then denying everything when they start getting sick. So I don’t think free medical is a big deal if you were involuntarily exposed to something dangerous 20 years ago.

When proven they are getting care and extra money because of exposure. My FIL gets money for camp lejune water and agent orange exposure in Vietnam. Of course that likely caused some genetic issues with his kids that don't affect them unless they choose to reproduce. It made it very difficult and my boys are also affected/carriers.

However I'm not sure I can agree with lifetime free care for those who hung out in an office for years

 

[0nelilreb]

While I agree with you about politicians, why should veterans get free healthcare for life?

In my opinion , this is one area I don’t mind being a socialist in . Yes this makes me a hypocrite I accept that . If we as a society want to be the best we can be I believe that involves taking care of our Vets , our elderly and our babies . Again , I am a hypocrite in this area and every argument you can make against would be correct .

 

[hog88]

In my opinion , this is one area I don’t mind being a socialist in . Yes this makes me a hypocrite I accept that . If we as a society want to be the best we can be I believe that involves taking care of our Vets , our elderly and our babies . Again , I am a hypocrite in this area and every argument you can make against would be correct .

I think any vet disabled on duty and of course those that do their 20 should get healthcare for life. After 6 years with multiple deployments I came out relatively healthy and somewhat sane I don't deserve anything more than what my contracts guaranteed.

 

[tennvols77]

In my opinion , this is one area I don’t mind being a socialist in . Yes this makes me a hypocrite I accept that . If we as a society want to be the best we can be I believe that involves taking care of our Vets , our elderly and our babies . Again , I am a hypocrite in this area and every argument you can make against would be correct .

Agree. Health care is the one thing that deserves to be "socialized", but, in a more philanthropic capitalistic manner with the government and bureaucracy left out so that it actually will work and be solvent, and most importantly, achievable.

 

[hog88]

Agree. Health care is the one thing that deserves to be "socialized", but, in a more philanthropic capitalistic manner with the government and bureaucracy left out so that it actually will work and be solvent, and most importantly, achievable.

Ok, you're going to have to unpack that one for me. How do we socialize healthcare in a "philanthropic capitalistic" way? I don't even know what that means.