“A whistleblower at the Department of Veterans Affairs spurred an investigation that found hundreds of millions of dollars in improper travel claims and a deeply flawed system used when veterans seek care outside the VA, according to an internal VA investigation made public Thursday by the Office of Special Counsel.”
“The top federal whistleblower-protection agency, which ordered the VA to conduct the investigation after reviewing the whistleblower’s allegations, called the hundreds of millions spent on improper travel claims a ‘gross waste of funds’ and expressed concern that the VA has known since 2014 that veterans are being sent to collection agencies because of problems with the system used by the administration to pay private doctors.”
“The errors highlight persistent issues at the department, including failures to update antiquated computer systems and the confusion and lack of accountability that has come from an increase in the use of private health care among veterans…”
“The VA said it has been aware of payment issues for years and has acted on the problems, but the Office of Special Counsel’s policy is to not demand an investigation unless it thinks problems are ongoing. In February 2016, the VA established a call center to assist veterans with complaints of adverse credit information and collections. In 2017, the center assisted 2,538 veterans…” Read the full article here.
Source: Slow VA Payments Left Veterans Facing Collection Agencies – By Ben Kesling, December 13, 2019. Wall Street Journal.
