Medboard and Case manager (Army)

[LrrpScout]

Hi All, a question about case managers.

I am a deployed Army reservist , medevaced from Afghanistan and currently home in a CBWTU.

In addition to my injuries, I have been diagnosed with other issues while in the WTU, any of which could be a medical retention disqualifer or service connected illness/injury.

Anyway, I have a case manager who is, IMO, either too overwhelmed or incompetent. Really giving my a hard time and bad direction. She only seems to be interested in documenting our conversations and talking me out of a med board.

She says off the wall stuff like "well, civilian doctors make up stuff just so they can get repeat business" and "you only feel lousy because you think you do" !

She's a real piece of work.

Anyone else have a similar experience with a bad case manager at a WTU ?

Any idea how to get rid of her and get someone else ?

How'd you handle it ?

Thanks.

LrrpScout

 

[OneFavor]

I didn't have that problem with a case manager, but my unit. This is just a suggestion, but become her. The next time you have a conversation, inform her that you need to record your conversations. This will help you & it may change how she handles your case per se. If you are just at the point that you can't deal with her, ask to speak with her boss/supervisor, and explain your concerns.

 

[EJGreen]

Sorry to hear of your situation but I am experiencing the same thing where I come from. I'm active duty and I've been battling chronic issues for 3 years and I've had specialists tell me that I need to get out but I have a PCM who tries to avoid the issue and tells me that I need to suck it up.

Without knowing your complete situation, you still have patient rights. I keep a copy of them with me at all times. If you're not happy with your PCM, you can request a new one. You can also request for 2nd opinions as well.

Wish I could tell you more but understand that you have a little more power than you think. Best of luck to you.


EJGreen

 

[nwlivewire]

Holy Cow!

Sorry to read I'm not the only one with this problem.

Pi$$ Poor case managers are an epidemic in CB-WTU. My humble opinion. I've got one that's a real duzzie, too. Keeps saying, "Let the VA take care of you"., "You can get that procedure done when you are on TAMPS", (sp? - the first six months AFTER you leave Active Duty) - or, "That's considered an elective surgery - we're not paying for it (my bladder has fallen and I am incontinent of urine - ELECTIVE?), OR NOW SHE SAYS, "You're going through the MEB process right now and MY BOSS said you are not authorized PAIN Management because you COULD get discharged from the ARMY before you complete the program." (30 day pain management program, and I haven't even gotten my NARSUM done yet, so I KNOW it's gonna take more than 30 days to MEB).

I am so disgusted with this outfit I could spit nails. I have the Command of NO! No! to all treatment care - even when they were the ones who told me to get pain management as part of my treatment care plan. I have it in writing! Then when I go to complete the treatment care plan that THEY developed, they turn around and tell me I can't do it! WTF!

I can only conclude that the US Army is in bed with BIG PHARMA and would rather drug me up with addictive pharmasutical pain-killers than send me to pain management.

A Captain with a 2-year degree in Nursing who never had serious ward time with sick, fully conscious patients. Even mixes up my medical issues with someone else's.

I have asked for a different case manager, but I'm stuck with her until the bitter end - like a bad marriage - and no divorce in sight.

If we have such a shortage of nurses in the ARMY, then what the hell are they all doing sitting behind a desk all day? Why aren't they practicing their professional skills in Iraq or Afghanistan where they are needed the most? Or at a major Medical facility here in the States? Why doesn't the Army hire civilian case managers and free up these ARMY Nurses to do the work they are trained to do? They sure get alot of high pay incentives for being in WTU. Yes, they get additional pay for CB-WTU duty.

Oh. That's right. My NCM only has a two year degree with little or no direct patient care for the sick. Maybe she had better stay behind the desk. Might kill a freshly injured Soldier in the field. Better to kill off the ones in CB-WTU I guess. We're costing the Army too much money to fix, so let's pass the buck to the VA.

Meanwhile, it's delay, deny and dilute.

The band plays on.

v/r,
nwlivewire