What Do You Do?

[Lordblacknail]

I am an army vet, do not have a service connected disability, but I do take a couple of medications. My old VA office in Bellevue, WA said I have to come there if I want my medications reviewed and to get new prescriptions if necessary. I understand that you can't be seen in Manila at the VA if you don't have a service connected disability. But will they do prescriptions or not? I can't be the only person in this situation. What do you guys do about this? I have checked six different pharmacys here in Cebu, none of them carry my medications.

Has anyone dealt with the VA in Guam by phone or email?

Any known options to getting my prescriptions reviewed and refilled besides going to the states?

[i am bob]

I can't really give you any info on the VA but have you tried this?

Contact one of the hospitals or a specialist for your issue, show them a copy of your medical records (if you have one) and ask them if you can get a prescription to carry on your medications and/or any other recommendations they would have? And explain to them why you are talking to them as opposed to the VA. I am learning that a lot of the drugs I take for my heart are cheaper to buy straight out in the Philippines than it is for me to get in Canada with a 20/80 health plan.

[JJReyes]

I am learning that a lot of the drugs I take for my heart are cheaper to buy straight out in the Philippines than it is for me to get in Canada with a 20/80 health plan.

Drug companies practice "local market pricing," meaning they adjust prices for the same medication depending on the country's economic level. The highest prices are in the United States because the medicines are purchased by co-payment systems with Medicare, insurance company or military picking up most of the tab. Canada is cheaper, so Americans were crossing the border to buy their medication. The American drug companies panicked and they claimed the drugs sold in Canada are inferior. That really pissed the Canadian government, since the same drugs companies were sell to them.

My advise to Lordblacknail is to consult with a local doctor. Bring your prescription bottles. Drug companies might change the medication names to protect their US prices so the same medication might be known by a different brand name. He may also recommend a generic brand. These are medicines whose patent protection has run out. In Hawaii, state law requires pharmacists to offer generic brands. My wife and I also shop around using the Internet. I can get my prescription medication for as little as $4 at Walmart Pharmacy for a month's supply. The highest I am currently paying is $10 for a month's supply.

[Jollygoodfellow]

As JJR says, the medication might be known as another name. Perhaps google the name and see what it says as it might tell you of other names which it might be known by in the Philippines.

[Call me bubba]

I understand that you can't be seen in Manila at the VA if you don't have a service connected disability. But will they do prescriptions or not? I can't be the only person in this situation.

Have you thought about calling the VA office/clinic in manila and ask?

they even have a TOLL FREE # thats accessable from the RP

(its a RP toll free# not a USA toll free#)

United States Department of Veterans Affairs - Manila Regional Office

Seafront Compound, 1501 Roxas Boulevard, 1302 Pasay City(near Cuneta Astrodome) Contact Information:

Trunkline: (632) 550-3888 / Fax Number: (632) 550-3942

Toll Free: 1-800-1888-5252

E-mail inquiries: https://iris.va.gov

Website: http://www.va.gov

. The VA OPC, Manila consists of a stand alone ambulatory care leased facility, which is located about 2 miles south of the U.S. Embassy, where the VARO is located. The OPC offers health care services to eligible persons throughout the Philippines.

The OPC provides ambulatory care to service-connected U.S. military veterans for their service-connected and non service-connected disabilities and conducts compensation and pension examinations for eligibility purposes.

The criteria for care in the Philippines are different than what a veteran may receive in the United States. Veterans residing in the Philippines, veterans planning to travel to the Philippines, and VA Health Care providers should contact the Clinic Manager concerning specific eligibility criteria.

Health care services are provided at the OPC by primary care staff physicians utilizing the primary care concept and by contracted specialist consultants.

Most specialties are available in house or by contract Outpatient services which include general medicine; internal medicine with subspecialties in cardiology, pulmonary, renal and nephrology; psychiatry and mental health; neurology; dermatology; ENT; audiology; and orthopedics.

Ancillary services include nursing, radiology, social work, pharmacy, laboratory, prosthetics and a number of other professional and support services.

Inpatient care and fee basis services are limited to treatment of service-connected conditions.

Callers outside Manila but within the Philippines can reach the OPC via 1-800-1-888-5252. It is staffed by 2 Americans and 82 Filipinos.

All e-mail inquiries for the Manila VA Regional Office and the Manila VA Clinic can be sent via VA's main inquiry website at: https://iris.va.gov.

Use the “Ask a Question” section to ask questions or submit compliments, and suggestions.

It provides answers to 368 frequently asked questions. If the information you are seeking is not there you have the option of filling out an IRIS Customer Entry form which contains a section for you to type in your question.

All inquiries should be responded to within five business days. If you are experiencing a medical emergency or in need of immediate crisis counseling, go to your nearest medical facility Emergency Room or call 911. This web site is not intended to provide medical diagnosis or emergency care. [source: http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/facility.asp?ID=682 Sep 09 ++]

[jode]

Thanks bubba for doing the legwork, or net work that should help resolve Lordblacknails question. I meant to do it but too lazy and put it off.

I had an appointment there on March 30th and they loaded me down with drugs. Some not for service -connected conditions like clorestral, blood pressure meds, and pain meds for a sore knee. . Of course I am 100% service connected (actually about 180% if u added up everything). I did know of a vet that got help and drugs there for a heart condition not considered service related.

My guess would be that they would give you the medications you need, but just not treat you at clinic if condition was not service related. I guess you wont know for sure till you called and asked.

They do have the ability to access VA records in states now. 14 months earlier when I was there that ability was limited.

It seemed to me to be a good well run operation there, and they treated me great. From the philippines i have tried to call the numbers listed and had a hard time getting through. I went to RAO office in cebu and had them call and they were able to get through right away. Maybe they selectively answer calls? They ship my refills to RAO office.

Edited April 19, 2012 by jode

[Lordblacknail]

What is the RAO and where is it? Inquiring minds want to know.

[scott h]

https://raomanila.webs.com

Looks like they are in Paranaque, right around the corner from i will be living

[Lordblacknail]

cant get the link to work, bud

[volstateguy]

There is an office in Cebu also. Try this link. WWW.raocebu.org,,,, http://www.raocebu.org/

Added...apparently I can't post the web address as a link on my phone. You can try cut and pasting it into your web browser.

Admin note

added link to post, I'm just a jolly good Fellow.

Edited April 24, 2012 by Jollygoodfellow
added link