ABOUT MILWAUKEE VA MEDICAL CENTER
Located on 125 acres on the western edge of Milwaukee, Wis., the Milwaukee VA Medical Center provides inpatient and outpatient (OP) treatment for veterans struggling with substance use, psychiatric disorders and co-occurring disorders. The facility also offers gender-specific programming, employment assistance, housing support, and detoxification services.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Veterans seeking addiction recovery from a range of substances including alcohol, prescriptions drugs, heroin, and cocaine have access to residential and outpatient programs. Although length of stay is dependent on each veteran’s particular needs, Milwaukee VA Medical Center’s programs are typically completed within six to 10 weeks.
At both levels, treatment consists of individual counseling and group therapy sessions that focus on various life issues and topics. Veterans also engage in alternative and holistic therapies such as yoga, music, and art therapy. Veterans in addiction treatment are subject to random urine analysis.
Veterans requiring psychiatric care have access to the Mental Health Urgent Care Clinic, open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Through the clinic, veterans can obtain preliminary screenings, crisis intervention services, psychiatric consultations, and admissions to acute inpatient care, where necessary.
Female veterans seeking treatment for various mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are supported through individual counseling and gender-specific group therapy. Treatment and counseling also addresses sexual trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In addition, Milwaukee VA Medical Center offers employment assistance programs, such as programs to help homeless and at-risk homeless veterans prepare for work through job training and placement services. In addition, housing subsidies and services allow veterans and their families to live in market-rate rental apartments.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
This VA center is led by a chief of staff who is a board-certified medical doctor. The Mental Health Urgent Care Clinic is staffed by a multidisciplinary team that includes a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, psychologists, registered nurses, and social workers.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The VA center allocates more than 350 domiciliary beds for its substance use and psychiatric rehab programs. Smoking cessation sessions are provided for veterans in addiction treatment. To date, the four individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com on the matter appreciated the center’s level of cleanliness. According to the 2016 National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, this VA Center is one of 10% of treatment facilities in Wisconsin offering inpatient treatment.
Overall facility cleanliness and upkeep: 4.75/5 stars
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The three anonymous alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com to date gave the Milwaukee VA Center mostly positive ratings. The two alums polled on the matters offered perfect five-star ratings for the staff’s level of experience and training, as well as four- and five-star ratings for the facility’s counseling options. However, one alum did offer a two-star rating for the ease of communication with loved ones.
In comments, alumni praised the variety of educational classes and caring staff, though one respondent mentioned a low number of staff. “If you apply everything taught, it was an extremely effective program,” one anonymous alum wrote.
Of 89 Google reviews to date, 11 reported negative reviews, six reported mixed opinions, and 72 offered positive feedback.[1] Collectively, the 89 reviewers gave the facility an average rating of 4.2 out of five stars. Many praised the excellent staff care and the facility’s amenities. Reviewer Michael wrote: “This hospital provides the Best Care Anywhere. Great and caring staff.”
On the facility’s Facebook page, which may be curated, 59 reviewers reported negative reviews, 58 reported mixed, and 490 positive.[2] The 594 individuals offered an average rated of 4.3 out of five stars. Though some complained of long waiting times and poor accommodations, most praised the facility for its excellent staff and effective treatment. Representative reviewer Joel wrote: “Everyone I encountered greeted me with a smile and genuinely cared about me. Sucked to be in the hospital, but they made it a great experience overall.”
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The two anonymous loved ones polled by Best-rehabs.com to date also gave the Milwaukee VA Center mostly positive ratings, offering four- and five-star ratings for the facility’s counseling options and its ability to treat co-occurring disorders. However, family participation only received two and three stars.
In comments, both loved ones praised the staff’s informative updates, with one writing: “It help loved ones with any questions that they may have.” However, one complained of crowded rooms, and another of clients being allowed to sign out alone.
FINANCING
The cost of treatment is not provided on this VA center’s website, although the center does accept private health insurance and military insurance. The VA website maintains: “Generally, VA cannot bill Medicare, but can bill Medicare supplemental health insurance for covered services.”
CONCLUSION
In December 2017, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported the Milwaukee VA Center was facing a shortage of nurses.
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