Broward resident Charles Kaplan served America in the U.S. Airforce. But when he recently called on the V.A. hospital because he needed surgery on his shoulder, he says doctors did a great job, but weeks later a $52,000 medical bill landed in his lap, a bill he thought no veteran was supposed to pay.
Kaplan said that he called the VA and they directed him to go to the Northwest Broward Medical Center. Weeks after his surgery though, he said the paying became too much.
"I feel that I was unfairly treated," Kapland said. "I'm the type of person that if I made a mistake, I would assume responsibility, but in this case I feel very strongly that I did what I was supposed to do and I feel they should help me."
Kaplan went to the Broward facility as directed and for weeks he was told he had to pay the $52,000.
"There was an issue with the documentation and once that was taken care of, the V.A. paid the bill," said Dr. Ronald Tolchin, from the VA hospital in Miami. "That's our process."
On Monday, Dr. Tolchin said that Kaplan no longer has any bill and that the administrative snafu has been cleared. He says what happened with Kaplan is an indication of how the V.A. has installed programs to fix veterans' problems. The goal: a fix in 48 hours, and the V.A. is not going to let a thing like this happen.
The V.A. says it is now responsible for 55,000 veterans in South Florida. A number growing as the country remains at war.
"Our workload has grown exponentially," Dr. Tolchin said.
The V.A. doctors said that the number of veterans returning from combat zones and coming to South Florida is increasing. So will the contact with civilian hospitals.
If you're a veteran and would like some more information or need some assistance, you can contact the Veteran's Administration at 305-575-3392 or you can visit www.miami.va.gov and www.va.gov.
