Healthcare VA Certified Doctors in Dumaguete

HAHAHA

Thanks!

WOW!

Looks like I CAN get VA care in Duma already!

How ironic I will have better, closer access to VA care in the Philippines than in the USA.

Now, for those in the know on this, how does this work in Duma?

Does my FIRST TIME appointment with the VA need to be done in Manila before I am authorized local VA care in Duma?

Do I pay upfront and then wait for VA reimbursement or what?

I already have my VA ID Card. Need anything else?

Thanks again Good Man Wrye83!

V/R,
nwlivewire

 

This is the question I am currently stuck on. DAV in Manila isn't exactly being snappy with answers. I have seen many statements about contacting Manila VA through MyHealthVet, which I have had for years, however only Saint Louis (my primary) and Anchorage (the last VA I used) are listed in the secure messaging 'send to' address drop-down menu.

I don't know why "How do I get in the Manila system" is so hard of a question to get answered. I don't really like the idea of flying up there to make an appointment and have to fly up again, especially if they aren't paying travel anymore.

 

Dear Always Rt:

When I recently relocated (temporarily) from Oregon to Northern California, my VA med records were up at the Portland, Oregon Regional Office. So I requested that my medical records be transferred to the Redding, California Regional Office (that's only 125 miles away from where I'm at today).

All travel reimbursement, VA appointments, and other clerical work -- plus my medical files - are now coming from and under the control of the VA Regional in Redding, CA.

Have you transferred your medical records to Manila from the States? Wonder if this will make any difference.

As an aside, I will get copies of all my VA med records BEFORE I request transfer of files to Manila. That way, at least I'll have a hard copy in case something goes wrong with the transfer and they "lose" my file.

I asked my Portland VA case worker to transfer my records to Redding, so not sure what paperwork he did to make that happen.

V/R,
nwlivewire

 

Everyone has unique circumstances, mine is I am kind of open ended traveling. By that I mean I have not decided to stay here, but haven't decided to look for somewhere else to go either. I may be in the Phils another month or two, or a decade or two. I sold everything in the States last year so I have nothing pulling me in any direction except the wind when I wake up in the morning. Enough of my long-winded lead into -

I'm not ready to "permanently" move my records from St Louis regional VA. I just want to know the Manila procedure to clear local eligibility (you have to re-apply to eligibility in each state you go to) as I had done in Arizona and Alaska. Once that happens I know I need a primary care appointment so my meds can be put in the local system and order refills online after that.

I would like to avoid 1)fly to Manila to set an appointment with eligibility, come back 2)fly to Manila to clear eligibility and set a primary care appointment, come back 3)fly to Manila so primary care can look at the meds I have been getting for years, copy them down, and I finally get refills. With no longer getting travel reimbursement I don't know how many years of refills it would take to break even - although I could look at the travel as healthcare insurance premium i suppose.

 

Dear AlwaysRt:

OK. I'm tracking with what you're saying. And I envy your foot-loose and care free days. Mine are coming Brother, mine are coming.

Perhaps someone else here will know the answers to what you are asking about and chime in. I'd be interested in what they say, too.

One of the reasons I'll transfer my records to the Philippines is that I'll be in this area -- and also be out and about around SE Asia -- for three years.

My thought is that should I need to have something medically done to me beyond the standard and customary health care stuff (and it's not Super-Duper Serious), I can always "plug in" to the VA system in the Philippines as an option, as opposed to HAVING to return to the States. If I'm in another country in SE Asia, and I have a problem that can wait, then when I get back to the Philippines, I'll be able to get it "VA fixed" (especially if what needs to be done revolves around a service-connected injury). This covers any issues that could arise on the VA rating side of that issue as I will have been treated by a "VA authorized" Doctor/"VA authorized" procedure. And that is medical evidence they generally MUST accept as valid and as a primary source of evidence. In other words, it's much harder for the VA to disagree with any claim you have if your hard evidence that substantiates your claim comes from their own VA authorized doctor opinions and treatments rendered.

Anyway, that was my thought as to WHY I will be transferring my primary records to Manila and to getting assigned a Primary Care Physician in the Philippines. Just wanting to keep the VA water calm and smooth for them and for me, and have access to care in this part of the world when I might have need for it.

I'll be getting that PhilHealth thing that Dave D wrote about, too.

I can always get my VA files transferred back to the States when I return - whenever that will be.

V/R,
nwlivewire

 

Not trying to nit pick but you do realize there is a difference between Tricare (through International SOS overseas) and VARO/OPC Manila. The link is to International SOS for Tricare not VA. Please correct me if I am mistaken.

 

Yes, that is all accurate except for the FMP (Foreign Medical Program) that has yet to be implemented as of yet. Although it is in the works. We just do not know when this is going to happen.

I am on the email lists for American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans all from Angeles City, Pampanga. All the service organizations in Angeles and Subic have a very good working relationship with VA Manila and are kept abreast of all upcoming changes and have a monthly online call to address any/all issues brought up by the service organization members. I will post here as soon as I know any updates. (That's where I got the info I posted yesterday)

As of now (to the best of my knowledge) You can still get LOA's (letter of approval) to see local physicians for service connected injuries if you are enrolled in Fee based care at VARO Manila as I am. Problem is not too many Doctors want to work with the VA or Tricare anymore as they are both notorious for late payments to service providers.

 

Because they are the only VA outside of the United States. They were originally here as per their special/unique charter to assist Filipino scouts who fought with the American forces against the Japanese in WWII and their families (spouse, children etc.). They assist Americans here because they can, but they are limited as they are only a clinic/pharmacy and not a full VA Hospital. IMPO in the near future the VA will eventually be phased out and we will be handed over to the FMP (Foreign Medical Program) but because there are so many Americans here who are being serviced by VARO/OPC Manila they are doing it in phases. There are approx 6000 disabled veterans enrolled in VA just in the Angeles/Subic areas and somewhere in the neighborhood of approx 10,000 in the PI according to VARO.