Misuse of Funds, Improper Disposal of Equipment, and Destruction of Records

Report Information

Issue Date
Report Number
17-00126-267
VISN
State
District of Columbia
District
VA Office
Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Report Author
Office of Special Reviews
Report Type
Administrative Investigation
Recommendations
2
Questioned Costs
$0
Better Use of Funds
$0
Congressionally Mandated
No

Summary

Summary
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) received wide-ranging allegations of misconduct in the operations of the Veterans Health Administration’s Consolidated Patient Account Center (CPAC) field offices, which function within the Office of Community Care and conduct medical billing functions for VA medical centers in designated regions. The OIG substantiated the following allegations: 1. CPAC management improperly used government funds to purchase food for CPAC employees in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 in connection with events held as part of VA’s Diversity and Inclusion initiative. 2. One CPAC violated VA policy for disposing of excess equipment when computer monitors were given to a local school without following established procedures. 3. Some CPAC field offices violated VA policy requiring that destruction of temporary paper records be performed pursuant to a written contract. The OIG made two recommendations, with which VA concurred and took prompt corrective action. The OIG considers these recommendations closed. Allegations relating to improper travel, the misuse of funds for the purchase of daily planners and a wheelchair, and the improper use of purchase cards for armored car services were not substantiated.

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)
The deputy undersecretary for health for the Office of Community Care, with the assistance of the Office of General Counsel as appropriate, ensures that the Office of Community Care’s Equal Employment Opportunity Office and its Revenue Operations group are correctly interpreting and complying with VA Handbook 5975.5 and VA’s Financial Policies and Procedures with regard to the administration of Special Emphasis Programs, including the purchase of food.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
The principal executive director and chief acquisition officer of the Office of Acquisition, Logistics and Construction and the deputy undersecretary for health for the Office of Community Care ensure that their staff are appropriately trained on requirements for compliance with VA Directive 6371 governing the destruction of temporary paper records.