Phoenix VA Healthcare System Review

Excellent ready medical care for enrolled US Veterans. Full service pharmacy and all specialty clinics. Nearby accessible Midtown clinics offer routine medical care. Since 2000 I have had 3 major surgeries at the VA or cooperating hospitals. Recently completed my Covid 19 vaccinations there.

They gave me a second chance to die for my country.

Absolutely deplorable service towards and for our honored veterans. This facility should be ashamed of the lack of care and consideration for our nations hero's. Patients are ignored, made to wait for hours, then sent letters stating they missed their appointment after waiting 6 hours past confirmed appointment times. I was taught that if you are not 15 mins early you are late. This facility is more than late its in outright shambles.

As a 5c alumni I had a lot to learn, Coach was the best, he helped me through my struggle and daemons. Coach helped me open up and made sure I made my mind right before I went home. Honestly he is an angel from heaven.

As a veteran myself the PHX VA is one of the best va hospitals I've had the pleasure to visit. I've been to about 2 dozen va hospitals in 7 different states.

Eye enjoyed breakfast with Our Veterans very taken care of clean fresh smell the food was prepared to accommodate even my pickings even turkey bacon my kosher friends oat meal prepared in variety (hot cereal). This was a really good thing to see so close to where I may request my father move to. Walking throughout there's a great pride in just each person I came in contact with. Eye was impressed eye didn't need medical care so that I can't speak on. Only Son of a Marine

As a former employee of the VAMC of Miami, Fl. I was impressed by the efficiency and professional service displayed by the Phoenix personnel.

What an amazing place, amazing caring staff amazing caring volunteers. The price for our freedoms is written on the walls and walking down the halls. The maintenance staff amazing the kitchen staff and customer service amazing. I ve been in and out of a lot of hospitals. So in writing this I mean every bit of it. Thank you for your hard work and dedication. It is not going unnoticed

My son had been to several different VA Medical Centers. At the PHX VA, he was treated like a piece of dirt. But he's not the only one. Several other young Vets were treated lower than "pond scum." The ER wait is HORRIBLE. It was common to hear the medical staff raise their voices, talk down to the Vets (VERY condescending) and tell them to quit complaining. Old Vets aren't required to get mandatory drug tests before ER treatment but all the young ones I personally saw were given the cup for the urine drug test. This facility, employees and it's clinics are horrible. The last straw was after my son's death, the woman at decedant affairs. She was RUDE, nasty and totally unprofessional and condescending. She carried on a conversation with another employee right in the office while I was in there which involved laughing and ridicule of another deceased Vet's family. Of course, the office is in the basement and small so when the other employee knocked on the door, the decedant affairs employee made me open the door. Apparently getting out of her chair and walking 5 feet would have taken to much energy. There's so much more!!!

There's still work to be done but it's moving in the right direction

The ER here is no good, there was also an incident with a officer being racist and even though I filed a complaint they never got back with me or did anything about it. As well as the nurses blaming me for not getting appointments and lying to me about making appointments or relating messages. When I actually need a consult for them. The only reason they re getting any stars is because the mental health care provided is Good. Everything is slow and the care and safety is to whom they consider are priorities.

I have nothing but great things to say about the healthcare that I receive from the Phoenix VA. They are very busy but my Dr's always give me as much time as is necessary.

Do not come to the ER during the daytime. You will wait for hours before getting seen. And after being seen briefly, you will wait again for several more hours for test results. I don't understand it. Probably a doctor shortage.

Horrible!!!! I m pretty sure I have the flu. I got to the ER and had my vitals checked within 15 min of check in. Then I sat for 2 hrs without being seen. After 2 hrs and watching 6 people get called back that checked in after me, I left without ever being seen. I thought the VA was supposed to help vets, not blow them off!

I've never had a problem with the medical staff at the VA hospital Phoenix

The only helpful people there are the operators. Took me almost killing myself to get the proper help and still fighting to get the medical treatment I need.

Overall, an ok place. The people are generally nice. The work done is generally quality.. but it is sooooo slow. I can't tell you how many times I've waited months for an appointment. Also, when I went to the ER for severe abdominal pain... I waited in the waiting room for 12 hours before being taken into a room with no nurse call button and it took another 3 hours to get started on fluids when I was severely dehydrated and another 2 hours to be admitted. Post-admission everything went pretty well except that it still took forever to get anything done. I was in the hospital for four days which felt like a month. The nurses were all pretty kind. The actual doctor (the one that was leading all the TONS of externs/baby doctors) was very short with me which I know is because he just has so many patients at one time. The VA is free for most people so it's awesome that veterans can get cost free care but they have gotta figure out how to get it to go faster !!!

My gallbladder decided to stop working all of a sudden. Luckily for me I happen to be a Vet because the VA here in Phoenix is top notch. The people who staff this facility are some of the best there are!
And that is a fact.

The most frustrating doctors in the world. My husband has 4 different doctors and none of them communicate. He was scheduled for surgery 18 months ago and it was cancelled as he was being taken to the operating room because they were missing a test result even though he had been cleared by the surgeon the day before. Then we found out 2 weeks ago that they have had that test result this entire time!!! Spent 3 days jumping through hoops to get him scheduled again becuase now he is in so much pain he doesn't sleep much and 2 days before the surgery is scheudled a STUDENT sees him and decided that he is not ready for surgery and cancels it after spending ONE hour with him. ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!

If there was a means to rate lower than a single star, I would be using that option!

The Phoenix VA Medical Center used to be an award winning VA Hospital, worthy of praise and adulation. Since 2010 the hospital has been going downhill. Long wait times, inefficiency, petty authoritarians, and entrenched bureaucracy plague this VA like no other VA Medical Center in America. I know, because I have visited the majority of them.

They have totally abandoned me. I cant get anything done. I have permanent and total. Been straight denied care. More than once. It s like they don t want me around anymore or something

It takes care of all the Phoenix Metro area Veterans!

Was seen for Gout didn't give me Crutches, Ace Wrap, Pain Meds, Ointment and escorted me out of the building. And by the way I also work there.

They are terrible. They finished last in the country again for VA Hospitals!

The travel office is a joke. They either give you delayed travel reimbursement or not at all. Not a good system and frustrating for veterans.

I love my doctor and I have always had great care at this location. God bless everyone.

The 4 story parking garage has been worked on for over 4 years, still can't use it, construction still going on (or rather to be honest it is stalled). So many people there and not enough parking to accommodate. Was told by Oncology staff to go to valet parking in the back and request a escort to assist me, I am non-ambulatory with a wheelchair. On day of appointment went to valet only to be told they can't help because they are full. They directed us to shuttle parking 4 blocks away. Went to shuttle parking only to find out they can not assist wheelchair bound va patients there. Called Oncology several times to let them know I'm there but can't find parking, valet wouldn't help get in contact with escort services, and to let them know I'm going to be late, no assistance was offer to me so I called once again to cancel. Ridiculous!

Excellent treatment facility. Outpatient clinics, labs, PT, are all very friendly and accommodating to us Vets.

2012 Blew a disk in my neck. They did nothing, including pain meds. Leading to a suicidal episode from prolonged pain. Disk calcified and is impinging on the spine causing difficulty walking, weakness on the left side, nauseating pain. 2015 denied MRI of lower back for treatment of bulging disks. MRI in 2016 showed yet again narrowing of the spinal canal more difficulty getting around, more pain. 2019 attempted to reduce pain meds without finding any record of my condition, nor consulting with neurology
or rheumatology. If they succeed in killing me or crippling me this time I'll let you know.

The team here saved my life. I had colon cancer diagnosed here, surgery, and follow up care (chemo). Every bit of it was excellent service with good, competent people who really took care of me. Despite all of the bad press, I have nothing but praise for the people who work here.

Called about a bothersome lump". Soon as they can get me in for.a mamogram 4-10-17. I initiated the call/request for this November 2016. Don't bother now as I've gotton used to it! Just too much trouble making appts. They cancel appointments frequently. And wonder why I dont bother showing when they make needless appts up?

Tired of trying! Worst VA I have EVER seen!

I was a bit skeptical when my father ended up receiving care here because of all the horror stories I have heard over the last few years. All in all, it was a top notch experience. Aaron in the 3rd floor ICU was one of the best nurses that has ever cared for anyone in my family.

I mean its the government health-care.. It's descent if you do your research.

I LIVE! I am grateful in the fact I am alive because of their efforts and recommendations.

Waiting for scheduled appointment three hours later getting in to see doctor for 3 minutes
They still haven't improved veterans care here

Because veterans are treated the best by our federal government as possible.

10 years I have been asking for this shrapnel to get removed. It took me threating public for them to get me a CT scan of my body to see if they can remove shrapnel. That just happened 12/18. Every time I asked before they would just do some x-rays. They had to use a CT scan to actually locate the shrapnel to make a real assessment. Why didnt this happen before. A pieces is stuck between my shoulder blade and rib cage as if I dont move my arm or anything. The answer that I got before was that its too close to nerves. Now, all of a sudden, its not too close to nerves. Why do I feel like it was about money? How can I trust this place for anything if its all about money? Not like reading these reviews gives vets like me a choice. I still have to go to this place and not get care. I have pretty much taken care of my nausea and migraines myself since I was told by a neurologist that its caused by Excedrin and not getting blown up in Iraq. Funny how I have been off Excedrin for about 5 yrs now and still have migraines. He only saw me for 2 min. Do I qualify as a Doctor now? Not all of the Doctors there are like that but I think I have had my fill of the ones that are! You know the ones that dont actually see the vets faces and makes decisions that effects their lives.

I have been going to the VA for probably the last ten years and have to say that I haven't had a problem with an appointment, treatment or care that I've received. I understand that they are busy, sometimes it takes awhile to get an appointment and I've waited an hour or so to see a Doctor but I haven't been disappointed. Yes, the parking sucks at the main VA hospital but I get there at least an hour early to find a space. My regular visits are at the Thunderbird clinic where I see Dr Patel and have been very pleased with my care that I've received there.

The VA system has changed so much over the past years and it can only get better.

Beware veterans, The VA website says during an Emergency a veteran should seek care at the closest ER facility and that no ER visit will be denied. This is False my claim was denied. and now I owe thousands. Beware.

The Dr's and staff in clinic are good it's the system they've created to take calls and make appointments that is an ongoing issue. Trying to make an appointment is Very frustrating to say the least. Trying for a couple of weeks and still haven't been able to make one yet.

Deplorable. 90% of the employees and doctors are pathetic and negligible. Too many employees feel they can treat you however they want without punishment. There are good apples, but they're like finding a unicorn. Worst VA in the country. Patient advocate is terrible and can't even access records. It will take many lifetimes before this VA is fixed.

Do not EVER go here for your comp and pension. 1 person saw me in one sitting for 3 claims, put in 1 and said i canceled for the other two. when in for a nuero claim and the examiner would ask the question. do you ever leave work because of your migraines. answer yes I try to work from home when they occur so i can sit in a mostly dark room or rest when i need. doctors response. now do you work from home because you just dont like being at work or because you have migraines. screw then 10 years of documented migraines i must be lying YES! the whole claim went that way. save your self some time and just see a civilian that wont try to piss you off.

Great Hosp. For vets.
Open for, emergency all the times

Just a thought...if the Dr is running two hours late with seeing the first patient and your number four how about calling the other patients and telling them to hold off so they can do other things instead of just waiting.

I have been a patient since retiring from military service. I have never experienced such incompetency, illiterate, lazy good for nothing Pharmacy Staff and Rheumatologist Nurse (Pamela Miller) in my life. I have notified the pharmacy star 4 times of the correct mailing address for medications. It never fails, they always send it to an incorrect address which is causing tax payers money unused meds which has a short shelf life. It is totally Waste, Fraud and Abuse on their part. As for the Rhuemotology nurse, she's too damn lazy to notify veterans of upcoming lab work. They do it for upcoming follow ups why not Lab Work?? I emailed Rhuetomology to have my Px filled and she answered back with "you have lab work that needs to be completed before Px can be filled with a completion date" the date she referred to was three weeks past!! BTW the only lab work mentioned was by my Rheumatologist which was get have it completed prior to my next follow up, not in between Px refills. this so called nurse is either a RACIST or is a control freak. These VA employees are disgraceful. Veterans deserve better, not like second class citizens. The Carl T. Hayden VA is need of a mass overhaul. Employees need to get fired for INCOMPETENCE.

This is only a review of the pharmacy. About three months ago I had Accu-Chek glucose test strips mailed to my home but I never received them. I went into the pharmacy and explained this so they emailed to me again. When it came time to get a refill I was unable to because it showed that I had received two refills already (including the one that was never received). I have spent the last three weeks emailing my PCP and haven't received them yet, and I also had to purchase two Accu-Chek refills from Amazon so I could check my glucose. I have two insurance policies that I pay for and still because of the lack of oversight at the Pharmacy I had to purchase them myself.

I just recently had an appointment with Dr. Udoko, Edo and it was the most thorough appointment I have ever had, she covered my health history, my recent lab results, and asked health questions about my extended family. She is a true Professional and I hope she will remain my PCP.

My husband and I just moved to the area and our experience has been pleasant so far. We are already in the system through another state so upon moving here we first had to do a walk-in through eligibility and enrollment to change our address and get our initial appointments with this hospital. We were seen within 20 minutes and the man who helped us had us in and out quickly getting us scheduled appointments with our new primary care providers within 2 weeks. He even gave us a tour of the hospital. Today we showed up at the lab few minutes after 7 AM and we're called back in less than 5 minutes. We still haven't been to see our PCPs but so far this experience has not been bad at all. If not for the chaotic parking experience I would have given them 5 stars. I will update review after our appointments today.

Update: I was in and out of my appt within 40 minutes and covered everything I needed. No muss no fuss. My husband's appt took a little longer but they are taking care of things the last VA Hospital didn't so can not complain. Honestly, if not for the parking I would give 5 stars.

This place has been awful to me. I am transfering from the Tucson VA and have been handed off 14 times for a simple ptinr and super cheap medication (it was once used as rat poison...). None of my questions have been answered, and every time I request something I am given the run around. My induction appointment has been cancelled tiwce, and they didnt inform me of the last cancellation or rescheduled. They really need to take more responsibility for their people.

Impossible to adequately thank the staff of the audiology clinic. I especially want to recognize and thank Ashley B... for exceptional care. I have seen how the audiologist take time to asist patients with hearing disabilities. Thank you please continue with this exceptional care.

This place is determied NOT to give quality health care. The doctors are arrogant and very sarcastic!!! It takes forever to get seen, and they didnt even examine my Tio!

If your veteran this is the place to go hands down.

Slow as molasses, spent a ton of money installing systems to make things even slower.

Here for my hubby's appointment. We didn't have to wait very long. Everyone we were in contact with were pleasant, and respectful. They were courteous, and efficient and seemed very knowledgeable. We will be back again in a few months.

Here on a Saturday at 8am...literally every door is closed and no one is in the hall. Yet it is 10 min past my appointment and I sit here in an empty waiting room. The VA is terrible. This is after I went through the DAV because the VA never called me back with an appointment time.

I was sincerely hoping to obtain help from the V.A. However, the Emergency Department had me waiting for hours and didn't even rectify the situation. I've heard many negative things about the Phoenix V.A. but never wanted to assume things. Nonetheless, this facility is a horrible place to be. I'm ashamed that I ever served and fought for this treatment. I suppose the pain and suffering doesn't just endoverseas.

I hadn t gone here in about ten years, even after the scandal they had the care is still horrible and you re better off going somewhere else.

You guys always treat me right, thanks for what you do.

Because it's a lot easier than going to the perscott va and less winter rds to deal with!!

The Phoenix VA is a wonderful place, they have & are doing a fabulous job taking care of my husband.

I can't say enough good things about the VA hospital: clean, shirt lines, free shots, abundant veteran resources and convenient location to mass transit.

Unacceptable service. My father waited 5 hours in severe pain only to leave because he couldn t deal with the pain and the waiting any longer. The least this hospital can do is have a real live time update so people can sign in and be informed so they are not waiting around for service that will never be rendered in a timely manner. We need to do better by our Veterans ASAP. To many veterans and not enough rescource Arizona.

I want to give a big shout out to the staff at VA Hospital of Phoenix. Thank you so much for taking good care of my Dad. Especially Manny, Juliette, Kayla, Ming, Dr. Picone, Dr.Chesire, and I am sorry I don't remember all the other names of nurses and doctors but thank you.

I've been waiting four hours to be seen the nurse called me over the phone and I told her my symptoms and she told me to go to the ER immediately. So that I could wait four hours in counting while every one else is being called first. I used to work as a first responder and I understand triage but, when you have to wait while people are getting called for bloody noses and headaches I dont get it. When I asked how long it would be until I could get seen he told me I was next they just had to clean the room. Since then five people have gone in front of me and I still can't hold down water. I'm 25 it just feels like I'm to young to get health. Most of the staff is rude and extremely rough I understand there busy and they deal with people who are rude but, not all of us are.

Contrary to the reviews I've read here, my experience here has been very positive. I have had a pace maker implanted and my cardiologist , Dr. Naqi, has spent more time with me than physicians in private practice could and would ever spend. I have experienced competent and caring staff working under a great deal of pressure while serving as best they can.....My only criticism is the lack of parking.....I think the staff, other than the management, are getting a bad rap!!!

Always great to see the brothers and sisters in arms good company good healthcare

I think veterans have forgot about the policy "hurry up ad wait." It did take a little longer than expected but the end results were worth the wait. Great staff, and amazing doctors. Made me proud that I served!

My mother was admitted to the ER last night.The care she received from the DOCs, nurses, and nurse's aid was nothing short of excellence. Professional, confident, personable, and knowledgeable staff. Thanks Michelle, Dee, and Sara for your love and care on the night of 11/6.

My father is being held against his wishes an mine so he can be put in assisted li into an be a cash cow! I'm his son an power of attorney for everything they threaten me ignore me an holding him for adult protective services! Need help bad all alone

I have been treated for many different problems, I find this VA hospital to be of great service for all of my illnesses.

ALL OF THE HEALTH CARE TEAM & SUPPORT STAFF ARE VERY PROFESSIONAL & FRIENDLY. JUST LOVE MY PHX VA & CLINICS. THANKS FOR HELPING US VETS!

Have visited Phx VA Med Ctr off & on for five years & have nothing but Kudos for the doctors and staff. The volunteer staff bends over backwards to help. The only problem I've had was due with language and, because I have tinnitus, much of the issue was mine.
I've had three principal Doctors in that time- all have been caring & at least as good as civilian doctors. MDs do seem to come & go, but that is more of a military system issue.

After repeatedly calling to set up an appointment, I received a letter in the mail saying the clinic has been trying to get ahold of me to set up an appointment. This is great I thought, here is a direct number to the clinic I need. I have no missed calls on my phone and I am sure no one tried to call me.

Sadly the number on the letter takes me back to the call center. where I explain about the letter, and ask how do I get in touch with the clinic. The untrained uncaring call center man says he will send them another message. I asked him if they have phones in the clinics..Of course they do, but the new streamlined system (most likely a product of the good idea fairy) will not allow patients to talk to the team that provides for them. I am guessing this is to cut out empathy from the system. I asked the surly man, "What if I do not have a phone to call back and can't come down there"? he said, "I am not going to pretend with you..."

So I asked for a supervisor in a not kind voice. The supervisor apparently CAN talk to the clinics....hmmm Take note...don't deal with the low level ever again.

So I got my appointment in a month....great job VA...way to take care of the troops. Only a month to go without meds because the doctor needs to "see" me the reauthorize the prescription.

Great to see that the new parking lot is done....should have used that money to hire staff....

"Why not have lunch at the VA?" I told my husband Ron. We had to grab a couple things at the commissary. We proveeded to the Patriot Canteen located in the VA hospital. There were several food stations, deli sandwiches to order, salad bar and soups, hot chicken cooked in different ways and a buffet with meat, mashed potatoes and more. Our lunch totalled $11 with a bag of chips included. My veggie wrap was made fresh and tasted very good. My hubby's Club was tasty and loaded with turkey. Overall an excellent lunch value, and so l give the VA canteen a high 5 star!

The care they gave me was first class.Thank you for helping me in my hour of need.

They are doing their best, you just have to keep on top of things