It appears we are profiling individuals who are military spouses. Let me clarify my situation, which began at 6:18 am when I walked out from inside the base due to my car breaking down. Since there is no bus service within the base distance, I had to walk 2.9 miles from Fort Richardson to the VA clinic near Muldoon Gate. Upon arriving at the bus station at 6:18 am, right next to the VA clinic and bus 25 stop, my asthma began to act up due to the cold air, making it difficult to breathe. I went inside to use the restroom and took my inhaler, then sat down for about 10 to 15 minutes waiting for the bus. When a security officer approached me and greeted me, I responded cordially. However, when he returned a few minutes later and asked if I was waiting for someone, I felt a bit perplexed. After explaining I was waiting for the bus and providing my military spouse ID, the officer's tone and demeanor made me feel embarrassed and uncomfortable, particularly when he emphasized 'you're the military spouse.' As the bus arrived, two officers watched me from the door, staring, which I perceived as profiling. Regardless of my status as a military spouse, the treatment I received was unwarranted and profiling in nature, particularly given the circumstances of my car breaking down and needing to use the bus. I felt unwelcome and uncomfortable due to the manner in which I was looked at, akin to having committed a crime. The prolonged stare from both individuals as I boarded the bus and their continued gaze as the bus departed was not only unsettling but also peculiar, especially considering their position at the entryway. read more

Mental Health.. I m very happy because my Doc is always trying to help me and understand me really well.. DENTAL. The dental workers at the VA are really great and caring. Anchorage VA in general, the workers perform a very important task in Veterans lives. read more

Alaska VA Health System - Hospitals Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

Quit using VA healthcare 7 years ago because the quality was so abysmal - rude doctors, ridiculous wait times, and a letter two months after a major surgery telling me my test results were fine and I didn't NEED that major surgery. Tried about a year ago to get them to get me a doc in the community through the Community Care program - crickets. Absolutely nothing. Finally agreed to see a VA doc; made an appointment a month out. I get FIVE automated "Press Y to confirm your appointment" texts, a mandatory link to a questionnaire, and a snail-mailed reminder card. I show up at the appointed time, doc REFUSES TO SEE ME because I haven't had labs done. Did anyone feel the need to tell me this via phone call, text, the HealthEVet portal, email, snail mail, or fucking carrier pigeon? NO. The patient advocate line will take a message and respond in THREE WORKING DAYS. If I didn't respond to customer issues for three days, I'd be fired. read more

Have been seeing Dr. Gale for the last 20+ years. Never had a bad appointment. Always took time to explain any issue or medical problem I had. She will be retiring soon. What a major lost to the VA family in Anchorage Alaska. She will be missed. Thanks for caring Dr. Gale. read more

I'm amending my review because, years later, I have found that my telehealth doctor (Dr. Lawrence Brown) knew about the kidney stones I had, which were close to causing renal failure, and lied to me about them. For years. His nurse, Melba, covered for him and would run interference so I couldn't address these issues. I can't prove it but every time I put in for a new doctor and told them WHY I wanted a new doctor (in writing), the file mysteriously vanished. Every time I saw him after a stint at JBER ER for extreme pain, he didn't even remember who I was (he asked me numerous times if I was stationed in Iraq - read my file, dipshit). Fast forward and I finally got care through Choice Care at a competent doctor (Dr. Strawbridge) at Alaska Medical Specialities. He saved my life and improved the quality of my life exponentially. It took a lot of work but we got there. While under the "care" of Dr. Brown, I was unable to conceive and had 1 ectopic and 3 miscarriages - he didn't care. He never followed up or tried to find out why that was (likely the kidney stones/infections and my body fighting tooth and nail against them). Dr. Strawbridge got me to a point where I had good "clearness" and overall health in my kidneys that, by the time I moved to Oklahoma - bam, pregnant. Gave birth to a happy, healthy baby boy in 2019 after years of trying. I have tried to report Dr. Brown and, of course, nothing happened. I still have the medical records and communications which prove his incompetence. I put 2 stars because the facility is nice and the few other doctors I've had there (who quickly left for greener pastures) were good. They spent all that money on that facility and can't staff it with competent doctors. Shame. At least the coffee is good. ‍ read more

As a brand new veteran, I was terrified at the thought of getting healthcare and all the bad things I'd heard about the VA. Oddly enough, it's been a cakewalk for me since day one. The first time I walked into the VA, I was escorted to where I needed to be. After every appointment, whoever was with me made sure I knew where to go, and would show me if I didn't. Before I was even able to see my PCM, I my care team worked with me to get my medications filled. So far, I'm very happy with the care I've received. read more

Alaska VA Health System - View from one of the waiting areas - Hospitals Near Me - Anchorage, Alaska

God awful response time. Pharmacy is going to get someone killed lack of follow through requiring multiple phone calls to deal with the same issue. not one good experience in the last two years with this pharmacy or VA location. read more

I've been trying to get an X-ray of my wrist out of house since they do not staff a radiology dept for veterans. i go to my follow up and no images just a report. Today I was asked to go get them myself after "the veteran" I love it when they call me that....uncrossed all the fax connections between the two entities After our second failed appt. yes today the veteran said he was tired of the run around but he what about this report from the radiology clinic...what's that?....no images? Like isn't that what we ordered ? What good is a description of an image? Call me crazy. sincerely "the Veteran" read more

USELESS as Tits on a BULL ! The VA is not only abominable in their treatment of Vets but they are so afraid of being exposed that they would not give me the e-mail address to the director. He obviously knows what is going on. How can he look in the mirror or sleep at night ??? I know why because he and the other clowns running that place know they won't get fired or be disciplined. I have soooooo many complaints it would take a life time to address them. As an overview, my provider ignored an issue I was having and it was exacerbated over a period of time. It took me 7 phone calls and 3 days to be seen. The issue is not over yet. I was prescribed a medication which the directions were vague. I called twice to speak with a pharmacist to have them explain the directions. It was Friday afternoon which meant if there were no response I would be unable to use the medication all weekend. When you ask for a supervisor all you get is a rehearsed bunch of bull. Like the supervisor I spoke with today named, Cory. They say call the so called Patient Advocate. What a joke !!!! When you call, all you get is a cutzy voicemail. Not only doesn't she answer the phone, she never calls back. Because I wasn't going to be seen for my issue, I contacted again, the so-called Choice program and the person said he couldn't help me and hung up. Unfortunately for them, I did get the name of the director and I will contact him. I also wrote to the Alaska Congressman and requested who I can contact in Washington, ha, ha to get some answers ! I am an RN by profession and if I treated my patients like the VA treats us, I would have gotten fired a long time ago !!! The VA wonders why they can't hire nurses, it's simple. Nurses like me have to go home and look in the mirror at night, we have to ask our selves if we where good to our patients. This is why the VA cannot hire quality staff. If I do not get satisfaction not only for me but for my fellow Vets. I will name names !!! read more

I was recently contacted by the local VA reminding me that it was time for the COVID19 booster shots, so I made an appointment and at the same time asked if my wife was eligible for her booster there as well. She had received her original vaccinations at a local pharmacy so we were not sure if she was eligible. After answering a very brief questionnaire she was determined to be eligible for the VA sponsored booster. We arrived early for our appointments and were immediately escorted to the clinic room, given our vaccinations by a very friendly VA nurse, and escorted to the waiting area for the required 15 minute wait time. All with care and compassion. I write this to let other vets know that their spouses may be eligible for the VA COVID19 vaccines --just ASK. I didn't give 5 stars because the handicap parking at the facility is a long distance from the entrance, a recurring complaint. There is a number to call and a volunteer can come to your parking spot with a wheelchair if necessary. read more

I am not a veteran myself but my dad is a Korean War Veteran. Dr Chousand was assigned as his provider a few months ago. We accompany my dad when we go in. She's difficult to talk with for any adult elderly or not, she doesn't make eye contact, types on the keyboard when with patients, and if she does talk to the patient it's fast and incomprehensible. She moves on whether the patient understands or not. She refuses to complete forms brought in for FMLA or insurance benefits requests. We've given her the benefit of the doubt too long hoping it will get better. I don't know if anybody will read this but avoid her if possible if those kind of things annoy you. read more

I am so incredibly disappointed with the service at the VA, I work for a provider and attempting to take care of our veterans is like pulling teeth, no one can help or you sit on hold for long periods and when the phones are finally answered it ALWAYS sounds like you are putting that VA employee out by asking about authorizations for our nations veterans. read more

Hurry up and wait (or we'll cancel your appointment). After 3 canceled appointments I finally gets in

Good healthcare in a time when healthcare is a commodity and not cheap for most! Been going there almost 10 years and always enjoyed it until recently. The customer service has taken a big drop and you can really tell that lack of staff is part of that. Why can't they get more docs and nurses? I don't understand. read more

Very poor way they rate and treat the veterans of Alaska. They do not care for the veterans if they're homeless or about to be homeless. Do not care for their health, their needs, now their stability in financial crisis as the VA only will pay a veteran like $800 to live off of. And cause the veteran to have suicidal thoughts, depression, and cause the veteran to think that life has no hope at all and that there is nothing left for them to live for! Now to me that is messed up because I too myself a veteran and recently have been treated the same very poor way! They do assist veterans to getting a job nor having a better life for themselves. After everything that veterans do for this country as we consistently fight and serve for the red, white, and blue. No no no, I say that the government needs to step off of the high horse and treat vegans with respect and the courtesy that they deserve as human beings! read more