Dealing with the VA (rant!)

Has anyone else here had the "joy" of navigating the VA healthcare system? I was medically retired from the military in May for Bipolar II. There was no, "Here is what you do when you get out to stay stable." There was no, "Here is how you make an appointment at the VA hospital to get meds." Nothing. So I'm pretty offended that I called today and was first snapped at by the operator, and then totally talked down to by the woman at the desk I was forwarded to.

It started with her asking questions I didn't know the answer to, so I said "I'm sorry, I don't know what I'm doing." Her response? Sarcastically, "HAH! Well me either, so awesome, we're on the same page!" After getting to the point of my call she asked, "You separated in May? Uhhh so you knew you had 6 months of dental and medical benefits and just..what? Didn't feel like doing something with them? So now you've lost them? -laughs derisively-" When I replied that I was med ret'd, she stopped laughing and said, "Oh. Well maybe not then."

I can't STAND being spoken down to. There is absolutely nothing that makes me angrier. I am not a child. I am a 23 year-old adult who is STRUGGLING. I just need some help, not sarcasm, not mocking, not condescending tones. I hate that some woman who doesn't know me from Adam can make me so mad I cry. I'm a tough person, but I'm so off right now that I can barely function. Making that call was hard. I didn't need her to make it worse.

Yes, I've had the "privilege" of navigating the VA... If I remember, it took me about two years to get set up with them.

Each VA (or VHA - Veterans Health Administration) facility should have a Patient Advocate. Find your local Patient Advocate and tell them what happened.

I cannot stress enough the value of working with a National Service Officer from one of the many Veterans Service Organizations. Their services are free.