Two or three weeks ago, husband noticed that his chronic condition had flared up. He called the VA clinic to see if they saw walk-ins. Yep, but they are pretty busy today.
Have you heard about the VA Mission Act? No? Yeah, it was signed into law in 2018 by He Who Thinks He Must Be Obeyed. The VA allows visits to Urgent or Immediate Care clinics. The first three visits are free, after that each visit is 30 bucks.
The MISSION Act also authorizes VA providers to use telehealth technologies to deliver care over state lines and into Veteran's home, allowing VA to enhance the accessibility, capacity, and quality of VA health care.
Oh my. The Intermediate Care clinic in Coos Bay is open seven days a week 8 to 10 hours. Let's go!
We drove over to the North Bend Medical Center on a Saturday about 10 am, the place was nicely deserted. We went in, husband got in line and was handed the usual clip board and we began the wait.
As we sat there, the waiting room was starting to fill up. We had beaten the rush.
One unfortunate clerk had to deal with a cranky woman who couldn't understand why they had to see her Medicare card, it was at home, she could just tell them the number. No, we need to see the actual card, that is policy. Repeat each time got a little louder. In desperation the clerk called the supervisor to come to the counter.
If I were a supervisor, I would approached this as a management teaching moment for customer service.
Here is how the conversation could have gone. Employing a half British, half Japanese persona, interaction as follows.
Supervisor: " Oh dear, let me see if I can help you, ma-am. Let's step into my office. May I get you a cup of tea or coffee? "
This followed by a very polite explanation that with so many scams now a days, it has become policy to ask to see the Medicare card with the number. "Of, course you don't have to run home to get your card, such an inconvenience. We accept credit cards."
At the end of the encounter, escort the woman out the door and offer a handshake. To make this handshake extra special, pat the hand and smile. Thank her for being so understanding.
There, an ugly American confrontation ameliorated. I would hope this is a standard and I will write a complimentary letter to NBMC.
Some very well behaved children came in and played with blocks and a couple puzzles and a sturdy tow truck toy.
Husband was seen and released. We had spent less than 90 minutes. We left with a promised escrip to Safeway pharmacy in Coquille. We went home triumphant.
On a personal note. About three months ago I decided to self medicate my intermittent heart beat with extra potassium thinking that I see if the known side effects would manifest. After three weeks, no change. I still had the occasional lapsed beat and had to ask for more potassium ahead of schedule.
At my next appointment, Dr. H said I had a murmur. I was sent for an echocardiogram. Dr. C wrote that there was some valve involvement here and there, keep the blood pressure down.
About three weeks ago, I noticed that I could no longer hear the occasional missed beat. I wonder what that is all about. I Googled symptoms for valve prolapse. I only met two of the ten symptoms. Treatment for valve prolapse if Metoprolol, which I already take so got that covered.
At my last appointment just a couple days ago, I said I could no longer hear the missed beats. She took a listen and said the murmur was still there just not audible to me. And allowed that sometimes the body simply healed itself. Swell!! Win! Win!
I also remarked that when you got old, you lost hair ih the damnedest places and you grew hair in the damndest places. I never thought I would want to shave my ears.
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