Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston Reviews

I almost am to the point where I would rather die than to deal with the VA. Maybe this is by design.

In Human resources, finished intake information folder waiting
Customer service is good, and helpful
They help you on computer, if needed.
And they have plenty of jobs on the website
And you don't have to be a veteran for all of the jobs
After 90 days chance to move to another job. If there are openings
Good benefits / retirement opportunities .

Has gotten slowly better over the years. Was HORRIBLE in getting appointments going but has gotten better. The things that need to improve are the amount of people that call themselves "Doctors" that don't either possess a PhD or are a legitimate medical doctor, the amount of care providers that change from person to person, I've personally had about 4 or 5 since 2015 and have to explain everything all over again.

Positive notes are: Their mental health section is phenomenal with staff that understands the patient's needs and concerns and the amount of knowledge that they possess in helping people get the help they need. Emergency personnel is amazing on what they do with people coming in at anytime of the day, as they are supposed to be.

Improvements are still needed in certain areas, but for the most part, it is improving, slowly

Pharmacy is slow, often rude. I was out of town and my doctor requested my medication refill early. They waited until I called the day after I was out of meds to fill it. Finally got the meds 2 days later. CVS pharmacy is more efficient.

My wait in the ED was only 3 hours. With four nurses standing around doing nothing. I seen it much worse in the past. But at that time the ED was swamped.

I,ve waited as long as 3 months for an appointment. I,ve also had to wait as long as 4 hours to see someone for nothing this va sucks.

went in for a hip X-ray at 7pm. the bald asian guy at the front desk asked me loudly if I was pregnant!!! I had to file a formal complaint.

Been using VA healthcare since 2005 and the improvements have been outstand though not in the last couple of years. That is except for dental.
Decided to go private for that. Was disappointed in their Covid response and vaccines for the Vets but I know this is new ground to them. If you repeatedly do not get great care I would guess the problem is you and not the VA.

It's always hurry up and wait. Majority of the staff have no compassion for the vet and his/her issues and the Doctors are just going through the motions. They seem to have an agenda for getting Veterans denied benefits..

The parking is awful, they don't answer the phones, and they just don't care.

I would give negative stars if I could. The VA decides to cut prescription medicine when it feels no matter what the side effect and with no explanation or warning. The doctors are cowards working under a system that doesn t really care about Veterans. Don t forget about the round and round telephone system.. that s enough to make you scream or have a PTSD episode! No wonder Veterans can t ever feel better.

The solution: let everyone Veteran see a civilian doctor. No VA hospital period. They will kill you before they fix you.

Nothing. Long wait. park a quarter mile away. Rude people. What's new? Same VA system in a different city.

Service that's good but could be much better treatment of veterans could be improved

Wow!!! This place is so prejudice if you are not black you are treated with disrespect .
Almost all the desk are manned by blacks and they are so rude to white veterans, and Hispanic veterans. And the clinics are just as bad hiring foreign doctors that are uncaring to their patients, with no people skills.the whole VA system is a joke.

Every time I have come to this facility, I have left very angry. No one has been helpful and it seems like this place has a it's not my problem attitude. This is the type of assistance that we Veterans get after serving our country. This is unacceptable. I have not had any good experiences at this place. It's difficult to come to this place, especially because it is in the kiddle of the city and many times I have been told, "Just come back." It's easy for someone to say that when they come here for work and nothing that happens to you affects them. I'm sure there are some decent people that work here because there are positive reviews as well. That has not been my case. I hate coming to this place with a passion and avoid it at all costs. This is coming from someone who moved to the Houston area so that I have better access Medical and VA resources. I will be submitting a formal complaint, if at all possible.

six months ago offered fusion surgery same doctor today says it DOES NOT MATTER WHAT HE SAID THEN now it doesn't need it #becarefulbeforeyouletthemcut

This is my first time coming to this VA, and I'm disappointed in how the doctors handle patients. Another patient and myself have waited over an hour just to be cleared to take an MRI! I am thankful that the gentlemen at the MRI desk did do their best and kept calling the doctors to get us cleared for our MRIs.

Very helpful people....great attitude
Couldn't ask for more! ;-)

The VA has been the institution of choice for my husband as he has a 100% SC Disability. While we are obligated to use the facility, we have always had prompt, appropriate, and compassionate care.

My hubby had the same physician for 15 years, and with cut backs he was recently changed to one of the primary care clinics...it was a disaster...and with the help of ER physicians, my husband was referred to (and was retained as a primary care patient) the Geriatric clinic because
he needed closer monitoring than a
standard Primary Care Clinic is capable of
providing. We are pleased with all of his care as appropriate and efficient.

It's affiliation with Baylor College of Medicine is a plus in our book!

Where can I start, FRONT DISK all attitude and have no works ethics, Most of the Asian employees have no idea who are the US Veterans plus no clear language or medical experience.
RUDE and Unprofessional people everywhere, all connected and know each other. HR hires people based on color not qualification. They came for money only not to serve vets.
No parking spot anytime all taken by the corrupt employees, rude with young and old vets, they lie about solving any concerns or problems, the list continue ........
Corruption and Discrimination that the Houston VA Hospital LOGO. None of them belong to the VA Department or deserve the job just few.
Please Shake off the bad people, Veterans deserve better treatment.
Wish I can back to the service to get better treatment and respect.

Mapping was right on target. Door to Door. .No problems!!

Spent 5 days in the ccu the staff was fantastic they cared about me and catered to all my needs many thanks sorry to leave jiji there need more staff like them

I have to agree on the above comments. Nicest people I have ever dealt with and will help you with absolutely anything and never do they make u feel as though u r a burden or a problem. I give & stars to emooyees. The medical staff I ha e found to be rude and talk to you as if you are a child . Not all of them. I have had the same good attitude from some like with other workers,but most of the nurses ,heck only the nurses act misput etc. When I had to drive home 8hrs and back next day I called to check on my his and in ICU and I was talked to as if I should be put in jail or had committed a crime. Didn't care for it and not once have I been I. The way or called .so be sure u ask even though or u won't get told anything

The parking situation is ridiculous. How can patient parking be completely full by 7:00 am? The valet, which is free, is a small wait in the morning and a 30 minute wait in the afternoon. The people are all very friendly and as efficient as possible. No tipping is allowed so it is truly free. The doctors and nurses in the cardiology department are top notch. The front desk people all need a hug.. perhaps being jam packed every day has worn their spirits away. The CCU staff is also wonderful. I am truly impressed with this VA and it's amazing how when hospitals don't have to worry about money or insurance company approval, things just get done. Patient care is a priority.

It amazes me that we have this huge facility in Houston, and yet I can not speak to a single person on my disability claim. They have sat on it for 2 years now and I haven't heard a single word back. The only answer I get when I call (and I have to call the Muskogee office to actually speak with someone) is that the Houston office still has it. That's it........please please fix this as I am certain that I am not the only one.

Haven't actually been to the hospital yet. But getting an appointment set up and working with the admin. staff over the phone is mindnumbingly difficult. We live 10 hours by car away from the facility, don't qualify for the VA to pay for a flight and can't afford one ourselves. We have no choice but to rely on the phone system to get all relevant information. So far we have missed and rescheduled an appointment, all because people at the other end of the phone line don't pick up (left loads of voicemails), don't return calls even if they have promised to do so, promise to check on information, but never do so, drop and disconnect calls, don't know or aren't able/willing to access information, one department doesn't know what the other department is doing, etc., etc., etc. Since my very sick veteran cannot travel alone, took off from work and lost that day, since nobody could help us through the VA phone hell. He called all day long. Heard him over and over again giving his name, birth date, and last four. Still, nobody could help. We will make the long drive next week. I am scared we will travel all this way and then be told that something didn't work out and we can't be seen, or we should have done so-and-so before coming, just that nobody ever told us. VERY inefficient, unhelpful. No compassion, understanding for the difficulties the patient might face. Can I give zero stars? Lord, please help us! Just hoping we finally get the help we so desperately need, once we make it there...

My biggest gripe with this place is actually parking. They have only a handful of van accessible spots and they allow people to park in the accessibility area without towing them. I posted a picture of this.

I contacted the Housing Department and Andrew spoke profanity very rude behavior. He hung up in my face. When we needed to schedule a appointment. We have Apartments and Duplexes available. And he stated he s more busy than me. And can t stay in the Phone. He was empasizing that he doesn t give a F on how much we spent on building Homes for Veterans. Please hire People who actually are actually respectful. And actually live their Job. Because his behavior is not what the VA stands for.

Horrible operators that answered the phone on me ALL 3 times. I got attitude with each call. I was trying to get a hold of medical records who kept showing busy I was told for a period of 3 hours. on the last call, I'm sure they knew it was me AGAIN, I got transferred to a telephone line that rang indefinitely with no option to leave a voicemail. I have a physician, CARDIOLOGIST at that, that is waiting on records from them since this is what is HOLDING the patient in our hospital. I am so disappointed.

I have been using this facility for 20 years. I have had multiple issues, surgeries,and treatments. I consider this to be one of the better VA hospitals in the country. I have never had any issue that has not been resolved by friendly staff. Yes there are always a few bad apples but overall this is a good treatment center.Dont believe all the horror stories you hear about the VA ,,could it be better ? Yes absolutely but considering the volu of veterans they see and treat they do a damn good job.

Not the best but they get you taken care of....eventually

Asked the VA Via their computer by the travel office to pay me my mileage. Still has not done so. So I dropped of a sealed envelope in the Askbthe Director box with a letter requesting my Funds.The VA Houston still has not done so. Past VA's don't have a director and just fake it as if they do. Apparently this is a VA faking it too because they cannot get the job done. I want my funds or I will go to my Congressman's office or DAV. The VA is at least six months behind on my mileage

Service getting worse, how can I see outside doctors. Allergies are so bad I maybe get 4 to 5 hours in 24 hours. Next available appointment is mid May 2018. Totally useless!!