VA clinics in cities such as Billings - any experience? (Helena: store, moving) - Montana (MT) - City-Data Forum

pccasab · 03-27-2010, 09:00 PM

We are considering a move there. Hubby is likely about to be laid off and a possibility in Billings, MT with another company has come up for him.

Any veterans here who could tell me about the VA clinic in Billings or in other cities which have an Outpatient Clinic but no VA hospital? From what I understand, the only VA hospital in the state is in Helena.

Hubby is a disabled vet and gets services from the VA from not only primary care but also pulmonary and neurology. Does anyone know if the outpatient clinics in the various cities (such as Billings) provides specialist care like this, or only primary care? It looks as if Helena is about 4 hours from Billings (not good, if he has to get off work to go take care of this every couple of months)

I realize I could call them Monday morning, but he'd like to answer the prospective employer's e-mail this weekend about his interest in the job, if possible.

Thanks in advance, and I may have more questions in the future. Appreciate it!

eta: We are looking into other matters regarding moving there, not just this. This is just the only question I have at the moment. I am fully aware it gets cold there. We like winter, so shouldn't be a major problem for us - in case anyone is wondering.

Walter Greenspan · 03-27-2010, 09:38 PM

It's my experience that the Clinics only provide primary care.

The DAV runs a van service from Billings (and other locales) to the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center.

Mt-7 · 03-27-2010, 09:53 PM

Look at #4
Vet Looking Anywhere in MT to Rent while Finishing Book
EH was helping another vet with these questions, good luck and thank your husband for his service.

pccasab · 03-27-2010, 10:31 PM

Thanks to you both. As far as having to go to the hospital to see the specialist, unfortunately for us it's less about transportation than having to take time off from a (new) job to go see the doctor so far away.

I plan to call the clinic Monday morning and see what they can do. Perhaps their primary care physicians can work more in tandem with the specialists so that he doesn't have to see the specialists as often to get his meds refilled.

ElkHunter · 03-27-2010, 11:24 PM

First of all. Thank him for his service.

I'm an old crusty vet and I've worked with a lot of other vets. Some just going through town headed North. I was lucky enough to meet the director of the Billings Clinic and he was a wonderful individual. Don't even know if he's still there. But his whole attitude was that he felt bad because he just couldn't do enough for our fighting force.

Billings has a clinic, but the only VA hospital is in Helena. But, you might think about running down to Sheridan Wyoming. It's only 127 miles so a short 2 hour trip. Here in Wyoming we have two VA hospitals. Sheridan and Cheyenne. Sheridan is a great VA. I know, I've been hospitalized 16 times in the last 3 years. Most of the doctors are top notch and you couldn't ask for more.

Besides. You'll want to get out of ole stinky Montana occasionally.

pccasab · 03-27-2010, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

First of all. Thank him for his service.

I'm an old crusty vet and I've worked with a lot of other vets. Some just going through town headed North. I was lucky enough to meet the director of the Billings Clinic and he was a wonderful individual. Don't even know if he's still there. But his whole attitude was that he felt bad because he just couldn't do enough for our fighting force.

Billings has a clinic, but the only VA hospital is in Helena. But, you might think about running down to Sheridan Wyoming. It's only 127 miles so a short 2 hour trip. Here in Wyoming we have two VA hospitals. Sheridan and Cheyenne. Sheridan is a great VA. I know, I've been hospitalized 16 times in the last 3 years. Most of the doctors are top notch and you couldn't ask for more.

Besides. You'll want to get out of ole stinky Montana occasionally.

LOL - about that last comment.

I get what you're saying about another hospital being only 127 miles. The only thing is that I think they "assign" you to a certain area, so to be honest, I'm not sure there's much of a choice. I'm definitely going to give the clinic a call first thing Monday morning, though. I think it's worth calling to see if maybe they have specialists come and hold short clinics there from time to time. I mean, he only needs to see the specialist, not be hospitalized, so if the local clinic has say, a pulmonologist come once a month, for example, that would be good. Could be a deal breaker for us moving there, unless the new job is eager enough to get him to move there to make some accommodation to where they expect him to need to take off for this.

ElkHunter · 03-27-2010, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pccasab

LOL - about that last comment.

I get what you're saying about another hospital being only 127 miles. The only thing is that I think they "assign" you to a certain area, so to be honest, I'm not sure there's much of a choice. I'm definitely going to give the clinic a call first thing Monday morning, though. I think it's worth calling to see if maybe they have specialists come and hold short clinics there from time to time. I mean, he only needs to see the specialist, not be hospitalized, so if the local clinic has say, a pulmonologist come once a month, for example, that would be good. Could be a deal breaker for us moving there, unless the new job is eager enough to get him to move there to make some accommodation to where they expect him to need to take off for this.

They somewhat want a particular clinic/hospital. However, they will comply if you insist. Sheridan is a well rounded VA hospital and has a great staff. You can get them to agree based on distance.

pccasab · 03-28-2010, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

They somewhat want a particular clinic/hospital. However, they will comply if you insist. Sheridan is a well rounded VA hospital and has a great staff. You can get them to agree based on distance.

I see. Will definitely check into that then. Thanks!

ElkHunter · 03-28-2010, 12:07 AM

A Veterans care is a Veterans care. They are welcome at ANY VA.

pccasab · 03-28-2010, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

A Veterans care is a Veterans care. They are welcome at ANY VA.

I realize that....it's the bureaucracy you have to deal with to make sure that they store your records at the right place, and make your appointments at the right place, etc., etc., that might be a hassle.