Agent Orange

  For those Veterans who served boots on the ground in Vietnam, you are fully aware of Agent Orange.  For those of you who do not know what Agent Orange is, or was, just be glad you didn't have to deal with it.  Agent Orange was a chemical compound used to defoliate the forest and fields in Vietnam.  Jungles were thick which made fighting difficult and gave the enemy many places to hide.
  But Agent Orange did more than defoliate Vietnam:  It affected the troops there and caused health problems and continues to do so.  I had one and now I have been diagnosed with another.  My civilian doctor discovered the potential problem and referred me to a specialist who confirmed my doctors suspicions.  When setting up a treatment schedule I informed them that I may prefer to be seen by the VA (mainly for financial reasons).. I asked for an estimate of my out of pocket expenses if they did the procedure.
  When I hadn't heard in a week I called and they had not done the analysis yet because the doctor forget to ask for one.  Then I was told they couldn't give me one because the VA had not sent an authorization yet.  I don't think the woman understood I was trying to make a decision as to whom was going to treat m:  them because of convenience or the VA based on cost.  An authorization means that   the private sector provider does the work at VA expense.  
    I then sent an e-mail to the civilian provider explaining the situation.  I think they understand now.  I just wanted a simple answer to a simple question.
  I will have to make 40 trips to the hospital in 8 weeks regardless of who treats me.  I can go to Randolph County Hospital 10 minutes from the house or make the trip to Winston-Salem every day.
The trip to W-S will only cost me car expenses and time.  To be treated at Randolph County Hospital will cost me some cash. I just need to know if the amount is small enough to offset free care and the drive to W-S on a daily bases.
   In the mean time, I'm not getting any healthier, except for the AMD in my right eye.  The blood buildup is now gone.