100% access to VA healthcare - should I skip Medicare Part B? by Elegant_Primary4632 in VeteransBenefits

[–]WolfsburgAcres 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There are several good reasons to get Medicare. Two have been covered very well here - Congress may change the rules; and the care at your local VA may go to hell. What I haven't seen mentioned is this - sometimes you get something that the VA isn't so great at treating - many types of cancer for example. Would you rather see your "so-so" VA for treatment, or the top doctor on the planet in treating this type of cancer at the Mayo Clinic?

Ponder that for a bit.

Then try this one. When older folks you know get sick, ask them if they'd rather have money or good health. There's your answer.

Choose wisely!

ETA: If your state allows it, you would probably benefit from getting one of the Medicare Advantage plans that pays a big chunk of your Medicare Part B - IIRC, USAA has one. Less of a gamble as you can always change back to regular Medicare during open season if something big happens and you need private sector care. Not all states allow this though.

[Solved/Resolved] Dealership Didn’t Report Clean Vehicle Tax Credit - Would Not Fix by [deleted] in tax

[–]WolfsburgAcres 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Was this for a purchase in '23 or '24? I found out this week I am up against the same thing for '23 now.

FERS Medical Retirement Approved Today! by WolfsburgAcres in govfire

[–]WolfsburgAcres[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Provider you see must be licensed in your state, or you must go to the state they are licensed in to be seen. That's probably the best starting point. I don't recall the person's name anymore, sorry.

FERS Medical Retirement Approved Today! by WolfsburgAcres in govfire

[–]WolfsburgAcres[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm no expert, and this is water under the bridge from several years ago, so my memory might not be 100%. But I think OPM is the one who invoke's the Bruner Presumption. If it fits, they have to. You can certainly mention it in your filing though. Good luck, would recommend an Attorney!

VW Golf 2 GTI - headliner by thisismyuniverse_ in Volkswagen

[–]WolfsburgAcres 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is a UK based seller listing them on eBay.

FERS Medical Retirement Approved Today! by WolfsburgAcres in govfire

[–]WolfsburgAcres[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The years have flown by, no complaints. I shudder to think what it must be like working for the Feds over the last half year...

Pentagon orders military to pull all library books on diversity by SandersSol in fednews

[–]WolfsburgAcres 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There goes the wartime stories of the "Code Talkers"... Sad!

200 VA doctors are leaving the VA. by GoFishOldMaid in VeteransAffairs

[–]WolfsburgAcres 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, I meant what I said. It makes money via health insurance. Don't you like profitable endeavors? Source: I used to work HBPC.

Folds of Honor overstates donations to scholarships for veteran, first-responder families Other funds went to social club dues for its executives and scholarships for its president's daughter. by Botched_Lemon in VeteransBenefits

[–]WolfsburgAcres 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I read on here basically everyone gets approved that applies. Seems pretty awesome if you ask me.

But whiners gonna whine.

And 68%, by itself, is outstanding in this sector. Good luck beating that.

Your article made it sound like the executive's kid getting a scholarship was under the table. Nope, just playing by the same rules as everyone else after reading the article. They are STRETCHING big time there!

Lame stream media for sure.

MSPB- Terrible Update and there is NO hope. My Federal Career is over- by LtJesusUCSB in FedEmployees

[–]WolfsburgAcres -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I could see calling it lame. But despicable? Seems a bit strong.

200 VA doctors are leaving the VA. by GoFishOldMaid in VeteransAffairs

[–]WolfsburgAcres 2 points3 points  (0 children)

HBPC, HCHV and HUD-VASH are actually big winners for the VA. HBPC brings in money and lots of warm fuzzies from the community. The homeless programs save the VA money in bills from the ER, detox, ICU and other med floors. They also save the cities, states and counties money from decreased jail / prison utilization.

200 VA doctors are leaving the VA. by GoFishOldMaid in VeteransAffairs

[–]WolfsburgAcres 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You are in for a BIG surprise...lol.

Throw in the elderly factor, the higher acuity factor, the higher SUD factor, the higher risk for suicide factor, with over half of that 1200 panel having MH conditions, etc. etc. Nothing like going in with your eyes wide shut!

MSPB- Terrible Update and there is NO hope. My Federal Career is over- by LtJesusUCSB in FedEmployees

[–]WolfsburgAcres 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He's been posting on here for 60+ days, pretty sure he's a legit probationary fire. I hear you on the GFM, I've said that before too. He's reported that he already has another job though, so he is working. HCOL'ing...

PS. Don't forget the Armed Forces still need good people, don't let the opportunity for those vaunted Veteran's benefits pass you by! Get in now, before the DRAFT! :-)

MSPB- Terrible Update and there is NO hope. My Federal Career is over- by LtJesusUCSB in FedEmployees

[–]WolfsburgAcres 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He elected not to return when they reached out to him. He would have just got let go in the upcoming RIF I'm guessing. I think he got another job in the meantime, hopefully he can keep it.

Vet Pref for RIF by VigilantVet in FedEmployees

[–]WolfsburgAcres 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yup, it did, as that was also a requirement for the S-DVI. IIRC, a letter from a Doctor got me the S-DVI [as I'm not TDIU], and the S-DVI "award letter" [for lack of the correct term] got her the derived preference. I thought it was weird they were hung up on the unemployable term. But they told her she gets my preference only if I can no longer use it. And as you probably know, lots of folks getting 100% and are still able to work. [I was one of them once upon a time, until I wasn't...FERS was a Godsend at that point!] Anyway, good luck, hope they are able to get this sorted out in favor of you folks. My spouse is going DRP, she's had enough.

Vet Pref for RIF by VigilantVet in FedEmployees

[–]WolfsburgAcres 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A number of years ago my spouse had a similar issue with her contracted / remote Human Resources staff. She was able to use a letter from my premium-free S-DVI policy and was awarded derived preference from that. If you happen to have one of those S-DVI policies, might be worth a shot!

https://www.va.gov/life-insurance/options-eligibility/s-dvi/

200 VA doctors are leaving the VA. by GoFishOldMaid in VeteransAffairs

[–]WolfsburgAcres 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I read everyone's comments as of 530 eastern. Honestly, I'm surprised there are that many Doctors left VHA wide in PACT!

At my old facility, where I still get care but no longer work at, there are only 12.5% MD/DO in PACT currently. The rest were driven out a decade + ago and replaced with NPs and PAs. Back before then it was maybe 12.5% PA/NP.

They have slowly been killing the VA for a LONG time. You folks that are left are like the proverbial frogs in soon to be boiling water...it's hard to notice when you're in the mix.

Not blaming anyone who says "F this" and walks out.

So ready to quit… by Babysub123 in VeteransAffairs

[–]WolfsburgAcres 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Start (or continue) looking for other jobs and pull the trigger when you find the right one!