POCAHONTAS, Ark. (KAIT) – Military veterans feel kicked to the curb after St. Bernards ended a business relationship with United Healthcare.
After St. Bernards ended negotiations with UHC on Friday, March 1, a veteran from Pocahontas was unable to get a heart procedure on Monday, March 4.
U.S. Army Veteran and Pocahontas Resident Bill Carroll had been waiting months to get approved for heart surgery at St. Bernards. He said his VA health insurance is covered by UHC.
Carroll is continuing to play the waiting game now. He said he was told via phone call that he was no longer able to get the procedure last Friday.
“St. Bernards providers, which are basically the doctors, have not signed the community care contract with VA,” Carroll said. “That allows the VA to use the facility.”
His sister and fellow Army Vet Carol Carroll said it was a very important procedure that her brother needed.
“Now all of a sudden, he can’t have it done,” Carroll said. “It is very frightening.”
Bill said since St. Bernards no longer has a relationship with UHC, he has to find new doctors and a new facility. He said he did not know where to go or how he would get there.
“I will have to find transportation too. I don’t know where to get any medical care outside of St. Bernards in Jonesboro,” Carroll said.
He said he has been a St. Bernards patient for nearly 12 years. Bill said the VA’s insurance has always treated him “excellent,” but now he feels kicked to the curb.
“You don’t have to have other insurance, you depend on that,” Carroll said. “And that’s all been interrupted now.”
His sister said it’s disappointing because she feels they’ve earned the right to their healthcare services. She said some may never understand.
“Unless you’ve served in the military and been through what so many of us have been through, you don’t understand that it is an earned thing,” Carroll said.
Bill said St. Bernards agreed to take Medicare, so his procedure was rescheduled for later this month.
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