VA Puget Sound Health Care System – Seattle Division

I quite like this VA.
Parking is terrible and sometimes the valets are completely packed too. If you come early (before ~9:00 — 10:00AM or so) parking isn’t bad. After that it’s pretty miserable, even in the surrounding neighborhoods.
Travel pay is really fast here if oh use direct deposit. The travel clerks are also very helpful if you have any questions.
I’ve had good experiences at the women’s health clinic (for GP and OBGYN services), prosthetics, and orthopedics (although they flip flop since you see a different doctor every time). Physical therapy seems hit or miss, but the pool program is pretty awesome if you can get into it (there is generally quite a wait). Forget trying to get anybody on the phone for PT, though; shoot them a message on My Health-​e Vet instead. I didn’t have a good experience with podiatry, but changing to a new provider was very simple. There are some really awesome UW doctors here, so it’s definitely worth using your VA benefits.
Wait times have never been too bad whether to book an appointment or waiting in the waiting room. I don’t think I’ve ever waited more than a month unless I chose to.
If you are getting surgery here, I will warn you that it’s a weird set up. Nobody was allowed into the pre-​op area with me which I’ve never experienced before (6 surgeries at 5 hospitals, one of which was another VA hospital). Once you leave the waiting room to get into your gown, that’s it. No more family time. Once I was out of surgery in recovery (after PACU), my husband was only allowed to see me until another woman came in to share the room. You might be able to have same-​sex visitors??? Not sure, but it seemed strange…
There were also no locks on the lockers to keep your stuff in, and apparently I’m weird for taking issue with that. Maybe it’s because it was Monday morning, but everyone also seemed quite gruff and expected that I knew exactly what was going on. It was much better when I got out of surgery around 10:30 though.

Short and sweet. If you are in pain and forget to renew your pain medications 14 days in advance. Which is a requirement. You suffer, and wait, until the pharmacy dispenses your meds. Sometimes many days will lapse which depends when in that time frame you call. The pain a patient goes through is not a thought.

My experience at va primary care has been excellent Dr Boyko is a godsend he is a 5 star Doctor. I’ve never had to wait a ungodly amount of time. The other doctors in rhumatalagy I’ve never seen the same one I usually see 5 different ones which I have to explain my case 5 times which is not easy l have GPA which use to Wenger’s disease. I don’t have regular insurance because I had to retire 8 yaers ago due to GPA., if I did I’d go to Swedish hospital Seattle. The only thing I can say good about VA is Thank you soon much Dr Boyko and his nurse Arlene.,. You’re the best.

The Mental Health department here is detrimental to my condition. I’ve had experiences with the VA in MD, AZ, CA, OR, and WA. The WA clinic has been alone in asking me to tell my doctors what sort of treatments I think I should have for my mental health. When enrolling, we’re forced to sit through a 2 hour group meeting of the care team talking to hear their own voices. No useful information is produced with the exception of a handout that details, the same as the online site, what the descriptions of their therapy options are. The intention is that people educate themselves and choose the most helpful treatment. The reality is a waste of time. I specifically want an experts input on what treatment would be good for me, that’s why I’m there.
When I asked for a consult for inpatient therapy, in a different region with a doctor who already has experience with my specific deployment, Dr. Jane Lautetek’s response was in the vein of «this is a lot of work, it’s not easy and I’d have to figure out how, so rather than that won’t you please accept our subpar standard of care.» I expect my health care team to support my needs, assist me in getting the care that’s best suited to my case, and to be in the business of promoting my health, not their ease of duties. The over-​arching theme of laziness is just ridiculous.

Terrible lines here for prescriptions. Takes several months to be seen for alignments related to my disability.

I have spent time in three local hospitals over the last 10 years — each visit over 5 days and I would vote the the VA hospital is the best. Not only are they extremely friendly and do everything they can — they are great at their jobs. This hospital is also a teaching hospital for the University of Washington and so you can get the added help from teaching doctors and their students. The only complaint for an extended stay would be the food is not as good as others.
I also use this place for my regular checkups, eye examinations, hearing aids and hearing checks along with prosthetic’s and other monitoring. In the many many visits to this place — everyone greets you — helps you — shows concern and make the experience as pleasant as possible.
The Emergency Room treatment is professional and also friendly and professional.

Today July 23^rd 2015 my husband went to registrar /​enroll with the VA.
Had the rudest customer service ever!
A tall slender young man raised his voice very loud and tossed my husbands drivers license to him.
This is un-​becoming and rude.
I don’t know how this young person has a job helping veterans.
My husband came prepared to fill out paper work and brought with him his DD form 214.
* if only the person behind the counter would take the time to listen to ones needs before reacting,
Served 22+ years
USMC

The VA has been a horrible hospital, they are very mean to my daddy and yell at him, they lie, let people cut in line and can’t do there job, They also forget to check people in! DO NOT COME HERE EVER! (Btw, the place smells really bad)

The care at this VA medical center is just like others… substandard. On each of my visits I have encountered such rude employees and inadequate medical staff. On an ER visit I was seen quickly and the nurse practitioner ordered an x-​ray of my injury. Her exam was her leaning over looking at the injury and saying, «Well it’s not broken. Do you want something for pain?»
Months later, still in pain, I went to my primary care doctor to follow up and have some other issues looked at. The beginning of my appointment she said, «I’m listening» as she worked on other patient’s cases. She rushed through my appointment and then told me, «I don’t have time for this today.» She told me to sign up for MyHealtheVet so we could have email conversations…
The staff are some of the rudest I have experienced. I witnessed a clerk in the release of records office speak down to several people while clearly not giving them any information to help them out. He simply would not help a very elderly couple and told them to go home and get the information off of the website. The website he was referring to is one of the most complicated websites to navigate even for a computer savvy person.
These are just a few examples of the issues I have had at the VA. I encourage all Vets that experience difficulties to go straight to the Patient Advocates office and file a complaint. Very few people do this when they are frustrated from being treated poorly for an entire day at the VA. When I filed a complaint, my Dr. called me within 2 hours to check up on me. Everyone has a boss and everyone should be held accountable. The Patient Advocate’s office is in a nondescript hallway with only an overhead sign, the doors will be closed with nothing on the doors to let you know you are in the right place… It is very uninviting and I am sure this is on purpose. DO NOT LET THIS STOP YOU FROM KNOCKING ON THE DOOR!!!
The nice, helpful people you will experience are the volunteers. Many of these folks served and are more than happy to help you are the facility. Have them help you find the Patient Advocate office!

What a scary place!
My grandfather goes here for treatment and if feels like you are walking in the the dungeon of doom! Luckily they are undergoing some construction right now to make the place feel a little more cleanly.
Veterans deserve the best in healthcare. Staff is decent and I don’t have any complaints about the doctors. I envy them for working at this place when they could be in a nice shiny hospital.

VA Seattle Medical center and Mt. Vernon VA clinic are the best in VA health care system.
Parking, security, administration, nurses and Drs are very efficient and honest, patient and family centered care. Scheduling for Drs takes 2weeks only. My family can’t wait to go back to VA Puget Sound health care system ASAP. Thanks to VA puget Sound health care system and especially Dr. Rogenburger and staffs in Mt Vernon VA clinic.
We have been to Denver VAMC, parking is night mare and administrative staffs are not too efficient and lack of accountability in scheduling and rescheduling for Drs absents. Scheduling for Drs takes 2months.
I did not know how excellent VA PSHS was until I found out out how bad Denver VAMC was,

I was not impressed with the hospital when I first arrived. I went to the ER, and was greeted by a very unfriendly woman. The VA already has a bad reputation, and the front desk lady did not help. Anyway, once my husband got seen, the staff was pretty nice. His nurse, I believe his name was Chris, was remarkable and very personable.

The service received is good. Most of the people you get seen here are doing their externship/​internship/​whateverships. So after you go thru them you get a real doctor. Not bad… most of the people know what they are talking about and when the real doc comes they concur with what was being said. I’ve been to about 6 different docs for different things here in the past two months and haven’t been disappointed but not really impressed either…
Parking…what a pain in the ass it is to find parking… they do have valet… but I’m a stickler for who drives my car…

I started going to the VA about 6 years ago when I got tired of getting the run around from ‘civilian’ doctors. I had female problems and no one could resolve them. So I decided to use my hard earned benefit. Within three months of my initial visit, I was referred to the Women’s Clinic at the Seattle VA (I lived in Idaho at the time) and the doctors I saw took excellent care of me and resolved my issues.
I also get seen regularly because of diabetes and depression and I have never had any issues with any of my doctors or any other staff. I’ve been to the immediate care/​ER and have always been seen in a timely manner.
The copays for my meds are reasonable and I get my meds in just three or so days from the date I order my refills. Waiting at the pharmacy can be a drag, so I only do it if I’m getting a prescription I need immediately.
The only really negative thing I’ve experienced is parking. If you drive, try to schedule your appointment at 8:30 and get there by 8. They do have valet parking, and there are a couple of bus routes that go there as well. The 50 and 60 stop right by where the valet parking hut is; the bus stop is no longer on the road lead in up to the main entrance.

I have seen some amazing a dramatic improvements here! And things have moved pretty fast on my visits recently.

This place is HUGE!

If you are a Vet get enrolled, you deserve it. In these uncertain times, alternate medical coverage is a good idea. If you know anyone who is a Vet, thank them for serving their country 1^st and then tell them to get down there, double time.
Their pharmacy plan is great, they’ll deliver the meds to your door and the cost very resonable or none at all depending on your rating.

Free valet parking for veterans, but you might want to make an appointment before 830am or the lineup can be super long, and no parking spots are left in the regular area.
Constant upgrades are being made to the facilities and construction is ongoing across the campus. You will have a line at the pharmacy (usually a 30 – 45 min wait), but if you are not in dire need just ask your provider to have your medication sent to your house and go over the «medical debriefing» in the primary care area.
It is an extensive campus and you can get lost, but most of the receptionists or medical personnel can help you out if you truly get lost. One of the greatest aspects of this hospital is that there is a Fisher House on site also. I have volunteered at the house before and it was a great experience. They allow family members to stay at the house and be close to their loved ones who are in the hospital.
The facilities and campus do have their short comings, but it is a veterans hospital and it is important to continue to support it’s growth and improvements while focusing on their mission.

I’ve been waiting a bit to write a review for the Seattle VA Medical Center/​VA Hospital but now is the time, I suppose.
I’ve been coming here since 1998 and have, until recently, had excellent medical care — better than any other medical facility in the Seattle area through my private insurance. Up until recently I would have rated the Seattle VA with 5+ stars. Within the last year, however, I’ve had some physical issues that have needed care and have been put off by the doctors and the system. I have a messed up arm from the army and have recently torn the bicep on my good arm. It took me two weeks to get an appointment. The doctor and nurse who saw me were completely rude and pushed me through quickly and said that «only old men tear their biceps». The doctor didn’t even look at it… seriously…didn’t even have me lift up my shirt sleeve, didn’t even touch it, nothing. My regular doctor wasn’t available so I was seeing another doc in the primary care clinic. I then called and got another appointment to see my regular doc… another two weeks. He sets me up with the specialists… another 7 weeks before I get in to see them. My bicep is still in pain & hasn’t gotten any better… it’s now been a few months!!! They send me home with a sling and tell me to set an appointment in 8 weeks. Sorry, this isn’t medical care. This is pushing someone off and hoping they just go away. So, I’m now using my medical insurance for a private doctor and they have me set up with regular physical therapy and regular doctor check-​ups to make sure I’m progressing.
Also, I have a back injury that I occasionally have to do physical therapy for. The VA is so backed up with veterans that they are outsourcing pt to private facilities BUT they only allow 6 visits, 1x/​week, and aren’t allowing the physical therapist to schedule additional time when needed. I’ll have to go through the process described above, several months worth, to continue.
We all know that there are TONS of injured veterans now. Perhaps it’s time to hire some more folks and start taking care of them! Come on VA! Get back to your excellent care!

If I could give negative stars, I would!
I went there, because it was closer to my work than Am Lake VA and I figured I’d get about the same care or better since they were bigger. THAT was a mistake! Not only was my «care» worse, they tried to kill me by giving me meds to which I told them I was allergic. Most of their «doctors» are interns just learning how to do things. I don’t need to be someone’s guinea pig, especially after I served my country with honour. Then there’s a «doctor» there who works at another civilian hospital in Seattle and she told me she didn’t think I was allergic to anything – that it was all imaginary. Yeah right. Dumb bitch. That’s why I had reactions to them all and they’re documented.
Thankfully, my treatment is now done at Madigan where the care there IS with compassion. Not only did Madigan take care of my father in his last days, but they took care of me and performed the surgery I so desperately needed.
To add insult to injury, Seattle va billed me for every day I was there. This is even after I don’t make the minimum wages for this area as outlined on the web site for geographic means testing. Dumb shits.
I tell every co-​worker, fellow veterans, and anyone else who wants to know about the lack of treatment and «care» I got there. I’ve heard other horror stories from other vets who refuse to go there, because they’re now messed up physically for life due to the «treatment» they received there. DO NOT GO THERE FOR ANYTHING!!!