Doc in St. Louis at Barnes-Jewish?

David Berg · 02-15-2004, 09:58 PM

I'm looking for a recommendation for a doctor at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis for my father. He's havnig trouble from an old L4-5 injury he received during WW2 and he regularly travels to St. Louis for medical care and or other reasons. He lives in Springfield MO, but the level of available care is usually higher in St. Louis.

KLD · 02-23-2004, 04:37 PM

Has he gotten any care through the VA SCI Center in St. Louis? If his injury is from WWII, he is eligible for care there (Jefferson Barracks) at no charge, and should be rated service-connected for this condition. This is one of 22 VA SCI Centers in the country.

If he has not previously had VA care, have him contact a PVA National Service Officer ( www.pva.org ) for help in establishing his eligibility.

David Berg · 02-26-2004, 09:17 PM

Thanks for the suggestion. He did just get an appointment with a doctor (I forget the name) at the Center for Advanced Medicine at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.

Because he was never officially certified as having a service-related back injury in his records, he would have a major uphill battle to get care for this through the VA. He's convinced that the hospital that he went to for the injury, which was not at his home base, lost his records. Fortunately, he has decent medical coverage with both Blue Cross and Medicare, so he's able to get coverage even without the help of the VA.

Have you heard anything about the VA SCI Center in St. Louis that indicates they are especially good with SCI-related injuries, enough that he should consider seeking treatment there instead of Barnes?

SCI-Nurse · 02-27-2004, 08:04 PM

David, the Center at St. Louis has a good reputation, and SCI is all that they do.

The PVA Service officer should take care of all the paperwork related to his service connection and eligibility, including finding old records, etc. I would strongly urge him to apply through a PVA NSO. The one in the St. Louis can be reached through one of these numbers: 800 795-2839 or 314 552-9778. Even if he goes to Barnes, if he get service connect he may be eligible for meds, etc. through the VA (low co-payment) and even if not service connected he may be eligible for excellent durable medical (Prosthetics) services.

(KLD)

02-15-2004, 09:58 PM	#1
David Berg Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 4,527	Doc in St. Louis at Barnes-Jewish? I'm looking for a recommendation for a doctor at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis for my father. He's havnig trouble from an old L4-5 injury he received during WW2 and he regularly travels to St. Louis for medical care and or other reasons. He lives in Springfield MO, but the level of available care is usually higher in St. Louis.

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02-23-2004, 04:37 PM	#2
KLD Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: California Posts: 865	Has he gotten any care through the VA SCI Center in St. Louis? If his injury is from WWII, he is eligible for care there (Jefferson Barracks) at no charge, and should be rated service-connected for this condition. This is one of 22 VA SCI Centers in the country. If he has not previously had VA care, have him contact a PVA National Service Officer ( www.pva.org ) for help in establishing his eligibility.

02-26-2004, 09:17 PM	#3
David Berg Moderator Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 4,527	Thanks for the suggestion. He did just get an appointment with a doctor (I forget the name) at the Center for Advanced Medicine at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Because he was never officially certified as having a service-related back injury in his records, he would have a major uphill battle to get care for this through the VA. He's convinced that the hospital that he went to for the injury, which was not at his home base, lost his records. Fortunately, he has decent medical coverage with both Blue Cross and Medicare, so he's able to get coverage even without the help of the VA. Have you heard anything about the VA SCI Center in St. Louis that indicates they are especially good with SCI-related injuries, enough that he should consider seeking treatment there instead of Barnes?

02-27-2004, 08:04 PM	#4
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 29,485	David, the Center at St. Louis has a good reputation, and SCI is all that they do. The PVA Service officer should take care of all the paperwork related to his service connection and eligibility, including finding old records, etc. I would strongly urge him to apply through a PVA NSO. The one in the St. Louis can be reached through one of these numbers: 800 795-2839 or 314 552-9778. Even if he goes to Barnes, if he get service connect he may be eligible for meds, etc. through the VA (low co-payment) and even if not service connected he may be eligible for excellent durable medical (Prosthetics) services. (KLD)