Medical Malpractice

When I went to the VA I told the nurse I have VA coverage. How can she look up what VA hospital I go to.?

I thought my records were supposed to be confidential. I didnt get no doctors bill, but I got a bill from the hospital. Billing from the hospital said the doctors at the ER dont work for the hospital and they have a separte billing system, and they send bills separately. I am so confused I think the va might have paid the doctors bill but how can they do that, arnt my records supposed to be confidential. How can a private civilian ER know what VA I go too. How can they look that up. Isnt that breaking confidentiality rules. How cam the ambulance billing lady was not very happy when I told her to bill the VA. Can the VA get the civilian medical records with my permission

Public Comments

1. A nurse can't "look up what VA hospital you go to" but a unit secretary might be able to. And this has nothing to do with patient confidentiality. It has everything to do with getting paid. If the ER is separate from the VA system, you should have been aware of this. You're confused?? I'm totally confused! I have no idea what it is you're asking.
2. If you have VA coverage for healthcare you must be at least 50% disabled. Less than that the VA will only cover those items for which you have a rated disability. If you went to a non-VA ER for treatment, you must submit the bills for treatment to the VA facility where you are seen on a regualr basis. IF the VA is responsible they will pay the bills but they are slow, taking up to 90 days to pay a claim. You need to stay on top of the VA for this and every time you get another bill for this you need to take it to the VA for payment. Should the VA determine that your treatment does not fall within your coverage, you will be responsible for the bill. If you are confused about this or need more information, please email me.
3. The VA will only cover payment for non-VA treatment if and only if it is an emergency. If they conclude that it would have been reasonable to seek treatment from a VA facility the claim will be denied. As they define what is reasonable it should be expected that it will be denied. Keep in mind that the VA provides medical care, not medical insurance.
4. Private hospitals do not belong to the VA system and can't get paid by the VA. The second answer is wrong from the beginning. If you have a disability, regardless of the percentage, you are covered for that at a VA hospital come hell or high water. Also, if you were in the military and not disabled, but have no money, they give you what is called a "means" test and if it indicates that you don't have the capacity to pay, your treatment is free. Any VA hospital or clinic can tell very quickly if you are qualified for their service, it is all int he computer - along with your picture. I had a medic at the VA in Atlanta come out and walk up to me and call me by name even though there were 25 people in the room. There is not much that is confidential in the VA system - as a matter of fact, a year or so ago, they lost 5 million files for a period which were on a removable hard drive or a lap top and in January of this year they lost 500,000 which they have never found. That means taht your name, birth date, SSA # and your medical treatments might be floating in anyone's computer.
5. Are you a veteran? If not, I don't know how active duty personnel are covered under non military hospitals. If you are a vet, in order for you to be covered by the VA you must go to the nearest VA hospital/clinic and register. You must have your DD form 214 and fill out some questions. The only way you can go to a non VA hospital and have the VA cover the cost is to be registered with the VA and your VA primary care doctor writes up a consult for outside the VA. Call the VA hot line and ask where your nearest VA hospital is, they can help you. The number is 1-800-827-1000.