Veterans from the USA

Don't know.  But thanks for taking the initiative!!

There is a US Veteran Affairs Clinic in Puerto Plata that apparently works well.  My friend visits it every time he is on the island.

And with the same group offices in Santiago and Santo Domingo.

Buck:

Are those actual US Vets Admin facilities?  Or private contractors authorized to provide VA-paid care for "covered medical issues," where qualified means: service-connected condition.

That's what I thought was up there.   But I could be wrong.

expatrusher wrote:

Buck:

Are those actual US Vets Admin facilities?  Or private contractors authorized to provide VA-paid care for "covered medical issues," where qualified means: service-connected condition.

That's what I thought was up there.   But I could be wrong.

I believe it is an authorized clinic, but I am neither American, nor a Veteran, so am only going by what my friend tells me.  He has had treatment there, and not been out of pocket for anything, and they do confirm your status with Washington on your initial visit.

These clinics are NOT..... VA sponsored. The only VA clinics outside of the USA are in the Philippines. These folks, as helpful as they are, merely assist you with claims paperwork; be it for medication or whatever.......

Perhaps a better way to think of these offices/facilities are to think of them similar to community care within the VA system but with a few more restrictions. While they are not VA Clinics they are part of the VA system. They can and do help with things such as: medical, psychological, and paperwork. You can have your required annual physical there, medications, x-rays, MRIs, appts. with specialist, blood work, etc.

I am not an expert, but I do use the VA Medial Liaison in Santo Domingo. The two main things that they are not able to assist with are emergencies and surgeries. With these facilities not being able to cover emergencies it means you should still have a health insurance policy here. If you need a surgery, you will have to fly back the states to have that procedure done.

An example of how these offices can help. I have had two surgeries back in the United States last year for my issue covered by the VA. I was able to come back here, have physical therapy, etc. here. I am also being seen by a neurologist and an orthopedic here that I can then share the results with the surgeon back in the United States. If after the findings of this latest round of test (x-rays, MRIs, and EMGs) shows that another surgery would be beneficial, I can fly back to the states, have the surgery and then come back here to recover, start my physical therapy, and return to the life I have here.

The tests have taken several months to string together, and I had spent 5 months out of last year in the states just having these tests done to determine if I need to have the surgery. I would rather have the test done here.

Perhaps the benefit to these facilities that will help the majority of the vets living here is the ability to have their annual physical completed here to keep the veteran in the VA medial program without having to fly back to the states.

If you are a vet, I highly advise you to contact them at the very least they will help with your annual physical.

Life Quiro Spine Rehabilitation center is also accepting Veterans with disabilities. ***

Removed your website.  You will need to post in the classified section please

Ok. Sorry

I have personally checked out the clinic in Santiago. I am a VFW Life Member, although I am a Canadian Vet, and I am covered by our own Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC). In the USA, due to a reciprocal agreement, I could get treated at any VA. I have inquired via VAC is the same applies to clinics in the DR - for my VAC covered medical issues. I found the Santiago Clinic easy to find as it is basically on the highway when I come from Moca, and the receptionist answered my several questions pretty well. I'm sure they do a much better job when dealing with US Vets and their issues.....they are FULLY covered/supported by the VA and accept only US Vets - from what I learned. (what caught my eye the very first time were all the US flags - all the service flags - kinda drew me  in)

Are there allot of canadian vets on the island?

I went to this VA clinic in Puerto Plata yesterday. Its a complete waste of time. Its not part of the VA health care system. They will only treat you for service connected disabilities. I am sure that they send a bill to the VA for any treatment they provide you. They also charge a 1100 peso registration fee. They don't do refills on medication and if they do give medication it has to be service connected which you can do yourself just by calling the VA and have the medication mailed to you. I don't foresee this business staying in business too long. There was no one there when i went. I was in and out in 3 minutes with but now i know. Is better just to fly to San Juan Puerto Rico and use the VA hospital there. Its the real deal.

I can't speak for the VA clinics, but at Life Quiro Spine Rehabilitation Center you will not have to pay anything out of pocket. If you have a service related injury that has affected you spine, spinal muscles ability to walk you probably will qualify for Chiropractic care.
In Puerto Plata you will find the clinic on Juan Bosch and 20 December , near the Malecon.

Dennis I am sorry for your experience.   There appears to be two different organizations.

The  newer one in Santiago apparently is affiliated. I drove by their  location  on Saturday and it looks nice!    I am not a vet or an American so cannot  comment more.

I have also visited the clinic in Santiago...I can’t say I was impressed.  I had to pay to become a patient with them and they even billed the VA for a 10 minute consult with their doctor, which is only a general practitioner.  I travel twice a year to the U.S., in order to get my medical care.  I totally agree with you when you say its better to travel to Puerto Rico to the VA hospital over there.

Did you go to the location right on the highway?

Just curious.

And welcome to the forums!

It doesn't matter which location. None of them are actually VA affiliated. The only VA medical facility outside of the US is in Manila Philippines. I recently left the Philippines. Its only a VA clinic and only treat service connected disabilities. The clinics here have nothing to do with the VA and need fo be shut down or stop misleading veterans. I was correct in my first post. The veteran went to the clinic in Santiago and he had to pay to register with the clinic and they charged the VA for his visit. I have no idea how these clinics here are getting away with this.

The VA does not have a center in the the DR. They do allow doctors to bill for service related injuries under the FMSP. foreign medical service program.
The FMSP has a fee schedule for thousands of different procedures from surgery to massage.
A simple form is filled out to enter the program. Your e benefits will show what problems you have are service related.  All doctors or VA service companies will want to see that info. Some places offer medical care, psychologists, massage, physical therapy. Life quiro offers chiropractic to the general public as well as accepting Veterans in the FSMP.

Thank you for this. 

Here is what I am hearing - while these centers MAY offer a service to vets it's not what they are claiming it is.  At a minimum it's misleading.

Is that correct?

If so, what needs to be done about it?

These clinics are making it appear that they are affiliated with the VA. They are in no way shape or form affiliated with the VA. The VA has a medical program for veterans who live outside of the US. If you have a service connected disability and you live outside of the US you can see a doctor in the country that you are in and the VA will pay. It has to be service connected. I believe that its called FMP under the VA website, foreign medical program. You can Google it for more information. These clinics in the Dominican Republic are using this program to make veterans think that their clinic is affiliated with the VA. These clinics will see you as a patient but they will send the VA a bill. What disturbs me is their logos and advertising outside of their clinics. It makes one think that they are walking into a VA facility. My advice is not to use these clinics. The foreign medical program is a good program but if a clinic has to deceive veterans to get patients what else are they doing? You are giving a complete stranger permission to access all of your medical records with the VA. A big no no in my opinion.

Thank you for explaining this to us! I appreciate it. I am not sure what we can do.   I wonder if the VA is aware of this?

I am going to the VA in Puerto Rico on Sunday for hernia surgery. I will mention these clinics to someone and see what they say. The problem that i see with the clinics here is their advertising methods and logos outside of their clinics here. I could go to any medical facility in the Dominican Republic and as long as they accept the US FMP program get treatment.

First good luck on your surgery!   And please keep us updated on what if anything you find out!   

I am all for  enterprise, but  not for misleading people.

Yes ma'am,

I've actually registered with them...  The clinic is called, Melivea and it's in the vicinity of Union Medica Hospital in Santiago.

Mr. Dennis,

I find most disturbing that the owner, or person in charge at the clinic in Santiago near Union Medica, was prior military, and his son is serving presently in the US military...  What I think is that he knows how the claim process works with the VA, and that's why he started that clinic. 
That's just what I think, I might be wrong though.

Thank you!

It's ok to help and to service vets.  It's not okay to misrepresent  as being VA or VA branch.

I would also like to what "OFFICIAL" VA responses would be, as well as if they would ever consider an OFFICIAL clinic. THose are questions for you US Vets to be asking your Legion and VFW officers, as well as politicians, to find out. Cheers

I think that these facilities that advertise with American flags and use the word Veteran assistance are just making it easier for Vets to find them. They are not regular medical facilities to the public. Then only assist Veterans. I have many patients that are Vets going to these places and are happy with the services. We always need to be careful to choose healthcare providers that are reputable and helpful.
In Life Quiro spine rehabilitation center. We treat the general public but also accept the FMS program for Vets that qualify.all are doctors are USA trained and board certified. The buyer always needs to beware. You should interview them as much as they do you.

Hey guys.  I have been here for a couple years.  I have been to many different Veterans Clinic.  I  would like to tell you what I have experienced so far.

1.  VA covers the cost of Service Connected Conditions.  So for example if you are service connected for your back, the VA will cover expenses relating to that.  For example x-rays, medication, physical therapy.  So these Veterans clinics help you get the service you need without money coming out of your pocket (because they bill VA).  This helps you because you don't have to pay or travel to US or Puerto Rico. 

2.  I believe some of the Veterans clinics also except Tricare and Champva as well.  Good for the retired Veterans and the dependents.

3.  The logos, advertisements appear to attract and inform the Veterans that there is a clinic just for us.  That is how they caught my eye.

4.  I went to two clinics in Puerto Plata,  I was not that impressed.  Then I visited some clinics in Santiago.  The only one that I felt they knew what they were doing was the one on the main highway going towards Santiago airport which is iWellness Veterans Center.  I had looked them up on google and saw very good reviews. When I went to the clinic I was very impressed because they had all military flags outside.  What I liked about this clinic more than the rest is that it is a Veteran owned clinic, they had plenty of parking, the facility was well kept and they had all the services that I need including assistance with my VA benefits with no charge or registration fee.

5. I suggest you look at the different Veterans clinic in the Dominican Republic and determine which is most helpful for you.  As for me, I don't mind the drive from Puerto Plata to Santiago.

Im co founder of Life Quiro, Spine rehabilitation centers in Puerto Plata,  Santiago and Santo Domingo.
We also treating Veterans with service rekated injuries and billing the VA directly.

Where is that located?

So are you a Veteran owned clinic?  Do you work with any Veterans clinic here?

I am not a Veteran. But I have allot of Veteran friends in peurto plata.  We accept veterans directly and also from the other Vet.Groups . We prefer to recieve them directly and file our own paperwork with the VA.

Also you can find our locations on our website.
Www.quiropractico.com.do

I went to the iWellness Clinic in Santiago (the one on the main highway going to the Santiago airport) yesterday. And I was surprised how they are expanding.  Now they have their own LAB  which is great news because I was able to get my COVID test for travel.  Also, I did not have to wait in line.

This is great information. I am also a Veteran with VA service connected disabilities. However, I am also Retired military so to know that there may be places that accept TRICARE is awesome. I do know that TRICARE does have an overseas program which this may be part of.  Thanks for the information and for your service.