ABOUT LEXINGTON VA MEDICAL CENTER
Established in 1931, the Lexington VA Medical Center is a reputable institution situated in Lexington, Ky. It features up to 199 beds across two campuses: the Leestown campus, which offers inpatient treatment for substance abuse and PTSD, as well as mental health care, primary care, women’s, geriatrics departments, and other services.
The center provides residents with care options like residential care, an intensive outpatient program, and general outpatient treatment, according to a reliable directory published by the VA.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
A majority of clients are referred to the center by their primary care physician or other treatment provider. The treatment process addresses the co-occurring disorders that veterans frequently encounter, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, pain, disturbed sleep, and relationship problems.
As stated in the facility’s addiction services’ information, the program aims to support clients to utilize outside support systems, such as 12-step programs, while assisting them in recognizing triggers and relapse risks. It also aims to enhance clients’ motivation for change, encourage couples’ counseling to improve relationships, and manage co-occurring disorders like PTSD and depression.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
As a reputable medical hospital, the facility hires experienced doctors and nurses. While Best-rehabs.com received limited information on the staff’s level of training and experience, the sole individual polled gave it three out of five stars.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The center has not provided specific details about its living arrangements and related offerings. Nevertheless, the two individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com regarding the facility’s accommodations offered mixed ratings, giving them two and three out of five stars. Another individual polled on the facility’s cleanliness gave it two stars.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Best-rehabs.com has not directly received any reviews from alumni of this facility. However, secondary review sites contain mixed feedback about the VA hospital as a whole. On Google, the center holds an average rating of 3.1 out of five stars based on 24 reviews. On Yelp, Lexington VA Medical Center has obtained a single four-out-of-five-star rating.1, 2
Several reviewers consider this facility to be the best VA hospital they have experienced. One Google review states, “When it comes to all the horror Stories about VAs, I’ve never experienced that… Especially not here in Lexington… the staff has always been super helpful and knowledgeable. appointment times are reasonable. Service is awesome,” A.C. wrote.
However, some individuals criticized the center for its disorganization. One Google reviewer, J.W., commented, “Takes forever to get an appointment. Can’t ever call the doctor and have them call you back in a timely manner.”
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
At the time of writing, Best-rehabs.com polled two loved ones regarding the facility. Unfortunately, both loved ones provided fairly low ratings across all metrics. The first anonymous female loved one gave the facility two out of five stars for treatment effectiveness and accommodations & amenities, and five stars for meals & nutrition. The second anonymous male loved one, a former spouse of a client, awarded the facility three out of five stars for accommodations & amenities and two stars for meals & nutrition. This individual also gave the facility five stars for leisure activities and four stars for the quality of counseling.
The first loved one mentioned that the facility was unclean and poorly maintained. She also stated that there were limited counseling options based on the client’s preference, and the facility lacked the necessary resources to treat mental health problems alongside substance use disorders. This loved one held a neutral view about family involvement in treatment and the facility staff’s experience and training. The loved one highlighted that the facility’s pricing was a strength, but didn’t mention any other positive aspects. The male reviewer noted that the treatment program was ineffective for his former spouse and expressed that he would never consider the facility for himself or another loved one requiring treatment. He wrote, “Didn’t identify the problem. Just medicated. No follow up or support for the family or patient.”
WHAT STAFF SAY
At the time of writing, Best-rehabs.com polled one current staff member, M.M. M.M. provided poor ratings across several metrics. This employee has worked at the facility for a period ranging from one to five years and is a member of the counseling staff. According to M.M., the facility employs ten licensed medical professionals who are not contractors.
Using a one-to-five-star scale, M.M. awarded the facility one star for all metrics polled including honesty in marketing/public relations, willingness to prioritize patients’ interests, respect for patient privacy protocols, and staff training and support. M.M. also gave one star for executive management and leadership’s ability to foster loyalty and community among patients and staff members.
The employee expressed concerns about the facility’s standards of care, labeling it as providing “heinously poor care for clients.” M.M. noted that the facility’s pricing was a strength. Regarding weaknesses, the employee stated “creates an attitude of dependency, does not provide minimum standards of care, rampant malpractice.” The employee also stressed the importance of making the public aware of the poor care veterans receive from this organization. It remains unclear whether M.M. is reviewing the VA facility in general or the specific substance abuse treatment program.
FINANCING
Veterans who are honorably discharged and meet certain qualifications are eligible to receive VA services free of charge. In certain circumstances (for example, if the medical issue is unrelated to military service or if the individual’s income exceeds a specific threshold), there may be a copay requirement.
Updated April 2017