CAN YOU HEAR ME!!!

Just like the young lady above, this is how I feel when I’m trying to get the Atlanta VA Medical Center to hear me.  It boggles my mind that the people there just don’t seem to want to take the time to do their jobs – which is to help veterans.  Now, let me make it clear that I don’t get this kind of behavior from all of the departments at the VA, just one in particular, okay maybe two.

Just to give you some back story on what I’m about to share with you, in January I injured my ankle.  I went to the emergency room and the doctor didn’t want to do x-rays.  For some reason he felt that I should just take his expert opinion.  I did explain to him that the reason I wanted the x-rays is because in 2011, I had broken the same ankle.  He told me, and I quote, “America is the only country where a patient can tell a doctor what they want”. Really?  Needless to say I did write him up.

Now fast forward to July.  I went to Podiatry because my ankle is still giving me problems.  They gave me a couple of ankle braces and told me to do the ice and heat thing.  Didn’t work.  Now it’s November and I sent them three emails through the secured messaging system.  Can anyone guess how many they have replied to?  Yep, you got it – none.  I even called and left a couple of messages on their voicemail and they still haven’t replied. 

This is what’s on their website in regards to what to do if you have an issue contacting them:

            “To all our Customers, we've taken steps to improve our phone system but we need your help to continue the process.  Whenever you call an Atlanta VAMC phone number and experience trouble getting through, please post on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/AtlantaVAMC the specific issue you encountered - unanswered calls, full voice mail box, dropped and missed calls - along with the phone number and the day and time of your call.  This feedback will help us take immediate corrective action.  Thank you for your support.”

So here’s the kicker.  YOU CAN’T POST on their Facebook site.  You can comment on a post that’s already there but you can’t post yourself.

Oh yeah, we also have a Patient Advocacy number to call.  It should be called the “Patience Advocacy” line because you truly have to have patience to hang on and wait for someone to answer.  I waited a little over an hour and no one ever picked up.

So then I tried a third method.  This is the Inquiry Routing & Information System (IRIS).  Here is the link - https://iris.custhelp.com/.  I just did this so I don’t know if it’s going to work but they are supposed to route your complaints to the VA center you choose and you should get an answer within 5 business days.  I’ll be sure to keep you posted.

I don’t know if any of you are also experiencing these types of delays but there has to be a way to make things better.  I for one am open to your suggestions.  Unlike the VA, I do hear you.

As always, thank you for your support.

TTYL – Be blessed.