American Lake VA Medical Center

Jered Smith

The staff were very kind and professional. I really couldn't ask for anything more in a VA facility. I'm a patient person, so I don't mind waiting in line for anything, but the wait times all-in-all weren't too bad. I was seen right away for multiple x-rays and waited about 30 minutes for labs, then picked up a prescription refill and grabbed my veteran ID on the way out. I think I was in and out in about 2 hours or so.

Naomi

They really need to update their phone systems. I got to the voice message from the department i was trying to reach, hasnt been updated since October. Was then kicked back twice to the operator who sent me back to the department just a different extension, and then was put on hold for 15 minutes when their system just hung up on me. Now im on hold again and will be placed at the back of the que when i called before they were even open (i didnt even realize it was 3 min till 8 when i called.) Its no surprise why people hate the VA as a whole system, some of the people are nice and want to help but the system itself isnt made to actually help Veterans,just to save the VA as much money as possible and hope we die before they have to pay us/ or supply expensive health related services.

Sarah Salter

VA Dental is TERRIBLE! Both my dentist and myself have dealt with VA Dental (at American Lake & Seattle) extensively for years. I'ts been awful in every aspect. They do not answer phone calls and they don't return phone calls (even after leaving dozens of documented messages on three of their current phone numbers over a period of six weeks). I had to drive to American Lake dental just to talk to someone (they failed me at this point too). I then left hundreds of voicemails for the patient advocates at American Lake VA. The Patient Advocates never called me back! Not after 6 months of leaving hundreds of documented voicemails! I even drove to the American Lake VA in person to reach the patient advocates for their help with my dental problem caused by their dental department. They still ignored me. I left several hand written messages under their office doors at American Lake VA patient advocates offices begging the patient advocate to call me. They never called me back. After finally getting help from a patient advocate (I only got help because I sat outside her office door because I was so desperate), VA Dental lost my dentists pre-authorization for extensive dental work that my dentist had ALREADY DONE! VA Dental authorized an implant then they LOST THE AUTHORIZATION AFTER THE DENTIST REMOVED MY TOOTH! Now my dentist & myself are struggling with VA Dental to get the new tooth put in before the VA Dental mistake causes huge dental problems. My dentist has a huge practice with literally dozens of other dentists/orthodontics in that office. Every dentist/orthodontist I've spoken to there has told me VA Dental is a nightmare to deal with. My advice is KEEP EVERY piece of paperwork VA gives you so they can't screw up & cause you serious health problems because they authorize dental work then loose that authorization once it's their turn to hold up their end of the bargain. The VA also sends you into the community for dental work then they decide half way through the actual procedures that they themselves must finish those procedures (even though my dentist had already started them). VA Dental has a horrible reputation. I speak to dozens of veterans at the VA about this & it's well known VA Dental is TERRIBLE! Don't expect patient advocates to help you because they basically don't exist. If you ever do pin down a patient advocate they can be very helpful. The problem is getting in touch with one

Eagle Eye Myotte

American Lake veteran Medical Hospital Tacoma Wa. Was a great place for my father to have the best care for him all the nurses staff was just wonderful and great even the grounds of the hospital was beautiful with all the trees and even the deer on the property and overlooking the lake to me it was a peaceful place I visited the VA at Christmas time for five years up until my father's death 😢 on March 23rd 1993.... even one of the nurses thought my dad was handsome from the pictures back from the Korean War.... now my dad lays to rest in the new Tacoma Cemetery military US Army 🇺🇸 section. If you have a soldier this is the VA Hospital you want them to be in.... thank you very much American Lake veteran Medical Center....