# Can one with MediCare go to the VA for special expensive testing.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-with-medicare-go-to-the-va-for-special-expensive-testing/507239>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 21, 2009, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-with-medicare-go-to-the-va-for-special-expensive-testing/507239 "2009-08-21T20:39:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2009, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-with-medicare-go-to-the-va-for-special-expensive-testing/507239/1 "2009-08-21T20:39:51Z")

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Complicate story but my MD may try \*again \*to coerce me into getting a battery of expensive neurological tests.

When I was employed and had spectacular insurance this was no problem - and the neurological test showed nothing. There is no other local MD within about two hours drive.

Now money is a consideration and I am concerned the local MD may want me to have the unnecessary, expensive tests again.

I’ve never had any experience with the VA

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**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\
**Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-with-medicare-go-to-the-va-for-special-expensive-testing/507239/2 "2009-09-13T16:21:19Z")

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I should have thought with the economy being all in shambles that alternative routes to conventional medicine would be a subject for discussion.

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**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\
**Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-with-medicare-go-to-the-va-for-special-expensive-testing/507239/3 "2009-09-13T16:27:01Z")

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Is he a veteran who is registered to receive care from the VA?

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**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\
**Post date:** [September 19, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-with-medicare-go-to-the-va-for-special-expensive-testing/507239/4 "2009-09-19T20:55:58Z")

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The patient is qualified for VA care.

The question(s) now are how much does it cost? Can one get unnecessary expensive tests at the VA and use MediCare for routine stuff?