x
Breaking News
More () »

Verify: Is Veterans Choice Program working?

This veteran says the Veterans Choice Program has turned into a nightmare.

The medical diagnosis for Shannon Hubbard is she's 100 percent disabled. The Army veteran is in a state of constant pain.

“My leg feels like it’s on fire. Most of the time I get extreme spasms,” said Hubbard.

The issues started back in February of 2015. Hubbard reinjured an ankle she first hurt while training in the Army. This time she tore some tendons and ligaments.

“I was just walking and it rolled and everything ripped,” said Hubbard.

According to her, she went to the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System for care, but after visiting with a doctor she was told they could not operate for several months. They did, however, place Hubbard in the Veterans Choice Program, which allowed her to seek outside care.

Shannon is in contant pain from her ankle. (Photo: Kevin Kennedy/12 News)

“It was the best of both worlds: I get the doctor of my choice and the VA pays for it,” said Hubbard.

What she thought would be a simple and streamlined process has become a nightmare. Hubbard can no longer work, her leg is twice its original size and the pain is excruciating.

“They (VA) ruined my life, they absolutely ruined my life,” said Hubbard.

The Army veteran says delays in the referral process and then delays in the VA signing off on certain care is to blame for her condition. She is convinced if there weren't delays, her symptoms could have been treated before they became chronic.

“My pain management doctor told me if they would have treated this within six months, there was a 90 to 95-percent chance this would have gone away,” said Hubbard.

12 News reached out to the VA Hospital and while administrators could not talk specifically about Hubbard’s situation they did say “it is an extremely rare case,” adding there is no definitive evidence to support the theory that early intervention would have made a difference.

The Phoenix VA sees more than 90,000 patients a year and refers about 30,000 of those cases to the Veterans Choice Program.

A photo shows Shannon's leg. (Photo: Shannon Hubbard)

“It is not our intention to delay care. Our intention is to provide care,” said Phoenix VA Chief of Staff Maureen McCarthy.

The hospital does acknowledge that not every patient gets care in a timely fashion but is always striving to improve any problems in the system. The VA says most referrals in the Choice Program are handled in six business days but that sometimes there are issues that arise.

“Unfortunately, in the case of some individuals their illness, is a very debilitating illness that is progressive,” said McCarthy.

12 News has heard from several other patients that have also run into problems or delays inside the Veterans Choice Program. There have also been complaints that care is being declined by the outside doctor or therapist because the bills are not being paid by the VA in a timely fashion.

Hubbard has filed a lawsuit against the VA Hospital claiming doctors misdiagnosed her initial injury and that delays have created her ongoing problems.

12 News will continue to follow the case and provide updates as they happen.

Before You Leave, Check This Out