Breadcrumb

Review of VHA's South Texas Veterans Health Care System's Management of Fee Care Funds

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
11-04359-80
VISN
State
Texas
District
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Audits and Evaluations
Report Type
Audit
Recommendations
5
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary
OIG substantiated the allegation the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS) authorized several million dollars in fee care during FYs 2009 and 2010 although it did not have sufficient funds obligated and available to pay for the services the veterans received. STVHCS did not ensure clinical and fee staff complied with required steps for authorizing fee care and fee staff also did not timely process fee care payments. STVHCS clinical and fee staff lacked defined roles and responsibilities, sufficient training, and adequate supervision. Management in neither STVHCS nor Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 17 had effective oversight mechanisms in place to ensure sufficient funds were available to pay for the fee care received by veterans. STVHCS lacked visibility over these unpaid claims when vendors’ invoices were received until fee staff researched, summarized, and processed this information dating back to FY 2009. STVHCS incurred avoidable interest penalties for untimely payments.

Open Recommendation Image, SquareOpenClosed and Implemented Recommendation Image, CheckmarkClosed-ImplementedNot Implemented Recommendation Image, X character'Closed-Not Implemented
No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended the Director of the Veterans Integrated Service Network ensure standard operating procedures clearly define roles and responsibilities and the procedures required for clinical and fee staff to properly process authorizations for fee care.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended the Director of the Veterans Integrated Service Network ensure standard operating procedures clearly define roles and responsibilities and the procedures required for fee staff to process payments of vendor invoices timely.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended the Director of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System ensure clinical and fee staff receive periodic training on fee care procedures.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended the Director of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System establish independent oversight mechanisms, such as periodic audits or reviews by the Compliance Officer, to ensure that newly established procedures at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System are followed to properly control and manage funds for its fee care program.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
We recommended the Director of the Veterans Integrated Service Network establish independent oversight mechanisms, such as periodic audits or reviews, to ensure that procedures for properly controlling and managing fee care program funds are followed at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System.