“…To examine the potential wait times for veterans to receive routine care through the Choice Program according to VA’s appointment scheduling process, we reviewed applicable laws and regulations; VA’s contracts with the TPAs; and relevant VA and VHA policy directives, guidance, and training materials for VAMCs. In addition, we exchanged written correspondence with VA’s Office of General Counsel about the application of VHA’s wait time goals to the Choice Program…”
“GAO and VHA found that selected veterans experienced lengthy actual wait times for appointments in 2016, after manually reviewing separate samples of Choice Program authorizations…”
“To ensure that VA and VHA incorporate lessons learned from the Choice Program as they develop and implement a consolidated VA community care program, we are making the following 10 recommendations…” Read the full report here.
Source: Report to Congressional Addressees – Veterans Choice Program – Improvements Needed to Address Access-Related Challenges as VA Plans Consolidation of its Community Care Programs – June 2018. GAO.gov.
