# Finding a doctor who accepts VA **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 13, 2023, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-doctor-who-accepts-va/982604 "2023-04-13T03:20:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2023, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-doctor-who-accepts-va/982604/1 "2023-04-13T03:20:09Z")
My wife’s only insurance is the Veterans Administration. She asked me if I was still taking a medication. I asked her if she was still taking the same medication. She said no, ‘That’s why I bought the Omega-3.’ She’d taken it for about six months, then her doctor went on sabbatical for like six months. Even though she is an RN with a four-year degree, he doesn’t seem to take her seriously. She says her doctor is the only docotr in Bellingham who accepts VA. The nearest VA facility is in Mount Vernon, WA, fifty miles away… and they’re booked up. She says that the VA thinks that anyone asking for medications – _any_ medications – is only looking for opioids. (She doesn’t use opioids.) We live in Whatcom County, WA, and the 'big city" is Bellingham. How can my wife find a doctor who A) accepts VA; and B) will understand that she’s an RN who knows what she’s talking about, and not a drug-addicted vet looking for drugs? ---
**Author:** ![dummygladhands71](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c0e974/32.png) [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2023, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-doctor-who-accepts-va/982604/2 "2023-04-13T04:16:05Z")
She needs to make a trip to the VA and express her concerns to the Advocate, ask for a new primary and start over. Her thoughts on the VA are not correct. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.E](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.e/32/8932_2.png) [@Mr.E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.E)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2023, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-doctor-who-accepts-va/982604/3 "2023-04-13T04:31:18Z")
I’m a disabled veteran that has been using the VA for years. I live in a military town where there’s plenty of VA support so my situation is a bit different but I’ve never encountered a doctor or anyone in the VA that stigmatizes asking for medications. I agree with dummygladhands, you need to get in touch with the VA and get them to find someone who can help you. The VA is pretty good about virtual visits, and often works in “care teams” so if one doctor is absent another one can take up the slack and make sure you’re getting your prescriptions. I can even go to a site ([https://www.myhealth.va.gov/](https://www.myhealth.va.gov/)) and get most of my medications refilled and shipped to me without even having to talk to a doctor. The VA doesn’t always make it easy but I assure you it’s not as bad as your wife seems to believe. People do fall through the cracks and get neglected, so it is often necessary to strongly advocate for yourself. It seems like that’s something your wife is prepared to do, so she needs to go to the VA and demand the care she deserves. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2023, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finding-a-doctor-who-accepts-va/982604/4 "2023-04-13T06:37:10Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > her doctor […] doesn’t seem to take her seriously […] is the only docotr in Bellingham who accepts VA. The nearest VA facility is in Mount Vernon, WA, fifty miles away… and they’re booked up. > [@dummygladhands71](#): > > She needs to make a trip to the VA and express her concerns to the Advocate, ask for a new primary and start over. She can try calling or emailing before making the trek. Each patient advocate’s phone number is published on this webpage, as is a shared email address, and they are paid to help with this sort of situation: > **[Patient advocates | Veterans Affairs](https://www.va.gov/puget-sound-health-care/health-services/patient-advocates/)** > > The patient advocates at VA Puget Sound health care are specially trained to help you resolve issues with your care. If you've experienced any problems that you haven't been able to resolve by talking with your care team, please reach out to one of... ~Max