Richland VA Clinic

Vic Tory

The bottom line up front is that the systematic failures of the entire VA are present at this, and every other VA facility. These failures are inescapable. The risk management approach to health care and the intentional under staffing and under funding of the VA is costing the lives of veterans. You know, generally, the people are friendly as long as you're going with their program. A program that is slow, inefficient and ultimately, unhelpful. As long as the facade of helpfulness is maintained and the helpers can feel good about themselves, everyone is friendly, never mind the veterans aren't actually receiving quality care. Ideally, the system would prefer you didn't utilize the VA for care. I generally don't and prefer to pay out of pocket for as much as possible to avoid the VA. Yet sometimes I need to use the VA. In this case, I had labs drawn in May 2022. I was not notified of a primary care appointment scheduled for the next week as nobody mentioned it while I was in the clinic and because their new system was dysfunctional and did not send out voice or text reminders (so I was told), so I missed it (as did many other veterans in that few weeks). It turns out later, according to my primary provider team scheduler at the Richland CBOC the provider was out that day on PTO anyhow. So, perhaps there wasn’t actually a failure of the system to notify me since it’s likely the appointment was simply cancelled without being rescheduled. I messaged my primary care team through the My Health the day after my labs requesting additional labs be added along with a few other questions. I received a message back the next day stating they had left a voicemail. I did not receive this voicemail but called back, waiting on hold for 30 minutes until I could leave a message with a request for call back. I also made a reply message online. Three weeks later no reply, waited on hold for 30 minutes and the soonest I can get an appointment is 2 months out. Because it will have been longer than 3 months between my labs and primary care appointment I now have to get new labs done. Then my primary care provider will determine if I am allowed to have the additional lab tests done. This experience is just one example of the typical dysfunction and systematic delay and denial of care our veterans are forced to endure. Every time I call it's a 30 minute wait time to speak with someone that is effectively only an operator. Every time I am forwarded to the person that can help, I receive a voicemail and must wait for a call back. How can I bill the VA for all this time I spend trying to access my health care?

Amanda Kessinger

My personal experience at this VA Clinic has been a positive one. I've been seen here on and off for many years without any problems. Everybody has always been very friendly and professional. One staff member I recently encountered at the COVID check in station made my day because he was full of silly jokes and positive energy.

Jan Hood

I have been dealing with the Richland CBOC for about two years now and have nothing but good things to say about them! They are always polite and super helpful and VERY concerned about my health and comfort! My only issue would be the length of time before you can get an appointment, but having dealt with doctors in the civilian world for my mother's medical issues, the VA is actually MUCH better! She sometimes has to wait months to see a civilian doctor, where I may have to wait a couple of weeks. Neither is ideal, but weeks are better than months!

ernesto rivas

I heard that this place was able to take pictures for the VA IDs, so I called to verify. The lady on the phone was very polite and fun to talk with. She was not sure about what I needed so she transferred me to Enrollment in Walla Walla. Gentleman on the phone was also polite and verified that indeed what I heard was correct. 4 stars only because the lady did not know about the IDs. You would think they would know, so I'm giving her the benefit because I know how some departments are small and hiding in the back somewhere.