All Reports

VA Should Examine Options to Expand Retail Pharmacy Drug Discounts
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19-07281-105
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Topics:  Financial Management

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/13/2021
The OIG recommended the Under Secretary for Health conduct a formal analysis of VHA’s Office of Community Care prescription drug programs to determine what steps VA would need to take to require drug manufacturers to provide Big 4 prices for covered prescription drugs purchased for CHAMPVA and any other VA Community Care programs that use a retail pharmacy.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/13/2021
The OIG recommended the Under Secretary for Health collaborate with the Office of Regulatory and Administrative Affairs and, if determined appropriate, pursue any proposed statutory or other changes needed to provide VA with the appropriate legal authority to purchase all prescription drugs through retail pharmacies at the Big 4 prices.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 345,100,000.00
Overtime Use in the Office of Community Care to Process Non-VA Care Claims Not Effectively Monitored
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18-06292-117
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Topics:  Community Care

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/23/2020
The Office of Community Care completes a review of the OIG identified employees who had no claims processing production or activity in the Fee Basis Claims System during overtime hours to determine whether the employees’ conduct requires disciplinary or other corrective action, as appropriate.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/17/2021
The Office of Community Care establishes and implements controls for Payment Operations and Management supervisors to effectively monitor and assess staff productivity during overtime hours to mitigate the risk of overtime abuse.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/23/2020
The Payment Operations and Management directorate clarifies and communicates nurse productivity standards and requirements.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/23/2020
The Payment Operations and Management directorate develops and implements formal guidance for its staff on the appropriate use of overtime, and the controls needed for monitoring compliance.
Financial Controls and Payments Related to VA-Affiliated Nonprofit Corporations: Northern California Institute for Research and Education
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18-00711-141
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Topics:  Financial Management

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 5/13/2021
The San Francisco VA Healthcare System director establishes procedures to ensure the Research and Development Budget Office staff review VA-affiliated nonprofit corporation invoices to confirm services were performed or goods were received in accordance with Intergovernmental Personnel Act agreements before approving invoices for payment.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/24/2021
The San Francisco VA Healthcare System director establishes procedures to ensure the Research and Development Budget Office supervisor conducts periodic reviews of the VA-affiliated nonprofit corporation invoices authorized for payment by staff as required by VA Financial Policies and Procedures, Volume VIII, Chapter 1A.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 25,940,000.00
Disability Compensation Benefit Adjustments for Hospitalization Need Improvement
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19-06249-94

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 1/28/2021
The OIG recommended the under secretary for benefits correct disability compensation benefits for the veterans identified in the sample whose benefits were not adjusted or were incorrectly adjusted.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 9/2/2020
The OIG recommended the under secretary for benefits develop and implement a plan to ensure all VA regional offices generate and process the weekly Admission Report for Service Connected Veterans and maintain coordinators’ logs to complete required benefit adjustments.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 9/2/2020
The OIG recommended the under secretary for benefits continue to develop and implement a plan to nationally generate and process the Admission Report for Service Connected Veterans.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 9/2/2020
The OIG recommended the under secretary for benefits determine if a statutory or regulatory change is required to ensure lawful, consistent, and timely processing of benefits for veterans entitled to temporary increases of benefits to 100 percent.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 11/17/2020
The OIG recommended the under secretary for benefits develop and implement a plan to ensure staff receive refresher training when needed to properly process temporary disability compensation benefit adjustments for veterans hospitalized for more than 21 days that includes monitoring the effectiveness of the training.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 8/6/2021
The OIG recommended the under secretary for benefits develop a plan to determine which veterans required adjustment of compensation benefits for hospitalization for a service connected condition, using the Admission Report for Service Connected Veterans for fiscal years 2018 and 2019, and make the required adjustments.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 40,000,000.00
VA Improved the Transparency of Mandatory Staffing and Vacancy Data
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20-00541-149
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Topics:  Staffing

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Human Resources and Administration Office (HRA),Operations, Security, and Preparedness (OSP)
Closure Date: 12/8/2020
The assistant secretary for human resources and administration/ operations, security, and preparedness should ensure VA time to hire percentages are reported using the Office of Personnel Management’s target as required by Section 505(a)(1)(D) of the MISSION Act.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Human Resources and Administration Office (HRA),Operations, Security, and Preparedness (OSP)
Closure Date: 1/5/2021
The assistant secretary for human resources and administration/ operations, security, and preparedness should confer with the VA Office of General Counsel to ensure that changes to the reporting methodology comply with Section 505 of the MISSION Act.
VA’s Compliance with the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act for FY 2019
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19-09563-142
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Topics:  Financial Management

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/28/2021
The Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration, implement appropriate IPERA testing procedures to ensure evidence is sufficient to verify that services were received for the Purchased Long-Term Services and Supports program.
Deficiencies in Infrastructure Readiness for Deploying VA’s New Electronic Health Record System
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19-08980-95
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Topics:  Electronic Health Records Modernization (EHRM) ● System Development and Implementation

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/1/2020

Establish an infrastructure-readiness schedule for future deployment sites thatincorporates lessons learned from DoD.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/1/2020

Reassess the enterprise-wide deployment schedule to ensure projected milestones arerealistic and achievable, considering the time needed for facilities to completeinfrastructure upgrades.

No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/21/2021

Implement tools to comprehensively monitor the status and progress of medical devicesat the enterprise level.

No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/16/2021

Standardize infrastructure requirements in conjunction with VHA and the OIT and ensurethose requirements are disseminated to all necessary staff.

No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/9/2022

Evaluate physical infrastructure for consistency with OEHRM requirements and monitorcompletion of those evaluations.

No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/12/2022

Fill infrastructure-readiness team vacancies until optimal staffing levels are attained.

No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/9/2022

Ensure physical security assessments are completed and addressed at future electronichealth record deployment sites.

No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/1/2020

Ensure all access points to physical infrastructure are secured and inaccessible tounauthorized individuals.

Federal Information Security Modernization Act Audit for Fiscal Year 2019
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19-06935-96
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Topics:  FISMA

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology consistently implement an improved continuous monitoring program in accordance with the NIST Risk Management Framework. Specifically, implement an independent security control assessment process to evaluate the effectiveness of security controls prior to granting authorization decisions. (This is a modified repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved mechanisms to ensure system stewards and information system security officers follow procedures for establishing, tracking, and updating Plans of Action and Milestones for all known risks and weaknesses including those identified during security control assessments. (This is a modified repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement controls to ensure that system stewards and responsible officials obtain appropriate documentation prior to closing Plans of Action and Milestones. (This is a modified repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology develop mechanisms to ensure system security plans reflect current operational environments, include an accurate status of the implementation of system security controls, and all applicable security controls are properly evaluated. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved processes for reviewing and updating key security documents such as security plans and interconnection agreements on an annual basis and ensure the information accurately reflects the current environment. (This is a modified repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved processes to ensure compliance with VA password policy and security standards on domain controls, operating systems, databases, applications, and network devices. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement periodic reviews to minimize access by system users with incompatible roles, permissions in excess of required functional responsibilities, and unauthorized accounts. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology enable system audit logs on all critical systems and platforms and conduct centralized reviews of security violations across the enterprise. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology fully implement two-factor authentication to the extent feasible for all user accounts throughout the agency. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement more effective automated mechanisms to continuously identify and remediate security deficiencies on VA’s network infrastructure, database platforms, and web application servers. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement a more effective patch and vulnerability management program to address security deficiencies identified during our assessments of VA’s web applications, database platforms, network infrastructure, and workstations. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology maintain a complete and accurate security baseline configuration for all platforms and ensure all baselines are appropriately implemented for compliance with established VA security standards. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 13
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved network access controls that restrict medical devices from systems hosted on the general network. (This is a modified repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 14
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology consolidate the security responsibilities for networks not managed by the Office of Information and Technology, under a common control for each site and ensure vulnerabilities are remediated in a timely manner. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 15
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved processes to ensure that all devices and platforms are evaluated using credentialed vulnerability assessments. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 16
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved procedures to enforce standardized system development and change control processes that integrates information security throughout the life cycle of each system. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 17
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology review system boundaries, recovery priorities, system components, and system interdependencies and implement appropriate mechanisms to ensure that established system recovery objectives are met. (This is a modified repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 18
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement more effective agency-wide incident response procedures to ensure timely notification, reporting, updating, and resolution of computer security incidents in accordance with VA standards. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 19
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology ensure that VA’s Cybersecurity Operations Center has full access to all security incident data to facilitate an agency-wide awareness of information security events. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 20
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved safeguards to identify and prevent unauthorized vulnerability scans on VA networks. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 21
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved measures to ensure that security control deficiencies are tracked individually instead of consolidating security deficiencies under one control. (This is a modified repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 22
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology fully develop a comprehensive list of approved and unapproved software and implement continuous monitoring processes to prevent the use of prohibited software on agency devices. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 23
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology develop a comprehensive inventory process to identify connected hardware, software, and firmware used to support VA programs and operations. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 24
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved procedures for monitoring contractor-managed systems and services and ensure information security controls adequately protect VA sensitive systems and data. (This is a modified repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 25
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 4/29/2021
We recommended the Executive in Charge for Information and Technology ensure appropriate levels of background investigations be completed for all personnel in a timely manner, implement processes to monitor and ensure timely reinvestigations on all applicable employees and contractors, and monitor the status of the requested investigations.
Telehealth Public-Use Questionnaires Were Used Improperly to Determine Disability Benefits
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19-07119-80

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 7/16/2020
Determine whether public-use disability benefits questionnaires continue to be an effective means of gathering evidence to support claims for benefit entitlement and, if necessary, take steps to discontinue their use.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 7/16/2020
Update the Veterans Benefits Administration’s adjudication procedures manual to assist claims processors in determining whether public-use disability benefits questionnaires were conducted through telehealth and include specific steps on what to do if claims processors suspect that public-use disability benefits questionnaires were completed via telehealth.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 7/16/2020
Revise public-use disability benefits questionnaire forms to include a mechanism for the private provider to indicate whether the examination was completed in person or through telehealth.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 7/16/2020
Notify veterans and private providers on public-facing forums and public-use disability benefits questionnaires that telehealth examinations are not acceptable for use in making benefit entitlement determinations.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 613,000.00
Veterans Received Inaccurate Disability Benefit Payments After Reserve or National Guard Drill Pay Adjustments
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18-05738-56
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Topics:  Claims and Fiduciary

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 4/4/2022
The OIG recommended the under secretary for benefits conduct a review of automatically and manually completed fiscal year 2016 drill pay adjustments that involved active duty military periods during that fiscal year, and take corrective actions as necessary.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 4/4/2022
The OIG recommended the under secretary for benefits conduct a review of automatically and manually completed fiscal year 2016 drill pay adjustments that involved a response to the proposal letter, and take corrective actions as necessary.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 9/16/2020
The OIG recommended the under secretary for benefits remind Intake Processing Center staff of their responsibilities for processing responses to drill pay proposal letters, including the appropriate actions to take when a response is received disagreeing with the proposal, and implement a plan to ensure staff compliance.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 11/6/2020
The OIG recommended the under secretary for benefits implement a plan to provide detailed training for VBA staff who process drill pay adjustments and monitor the effectiveness of the training.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 56,800,000.00
Opportunities Missed to Contain Spending on Sleep Apnea Devices and Improve Veterans’ Outcomes
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19-00021-41
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Topics:  Supplies and Equipment ● Financial Management

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/30/2020
Develop a mechanism to assess whether staffing levels within sleep medicine programs are sufficient for monitoring sleep apnea device use and conducting follow-ups with veterans.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/5/2022
Ensure the Veterans Health Administration is leveraging existing technologies to make sure medical facilities are routinely monitoring veteran use of sleep apnea devices in a consistent and effective manner to more promptly identify individuals at risk of noncompliance with recommended therapies.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/20/2021
Coordinate with the appropriate offices and services, including the Office of Procurement, Acquisitions, and Logistics, Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service, sleep medicine, and the Veterans Health Administration National Infectious Diseases Service, to (a) assess the viability, potential patient care, and financial impact of an alternative to purchasing sleep apnea devices; (b) make and provide clear guidance on any changes to current Veterans Health Administration processes, including device returns, cleaning, and reissuance; and (c) designate an office with authority to ensure medical facilities implement any processes and recommendations from the assessment.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 261,300,000.00
Inadequate Oversight of the Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor Program’s Order Fulfillment and Performance Reporting for Eastern Area Medical Centers
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17-03718-240

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/17/2025

The executive in charge, office of under secretary for health, and the principal executive director, office of acquisition, logistics, and construction, require the Healthcare Commodities Program Office and Strategic Acquisition Center to develop a formal process to validate correct order fulfillment reporting by the prime vendors, ensure the correct algorithms are used, and help prevent missed opportunities to identify and mitigate issues.

No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/15/2021
The executive in charge, office of under secretary for health, requires the Healthcare Commodities Program Office to ensure Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor Next Generation contracting officer’s representatives get timely access to the performance metric reporting, such as reporting on correct order fulfillment.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/7/2021
The executive in charge, office of under secretary for health, and the principal executive director, office of acquisition, logistics, and construction, require the Healthcare Commodities Program Office and Strategic Acquisition Center to monitor contracting officer’s representatives to ensure performance metric reporting is reviewed for accuracy.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 5/31/2022
The executive in charge, office of under secretary for health, and the principal executive director, office of acquisition, logistics, and construction, require the Healthcare Commodities Program Office and Strategic Acquisition Center to strengthen processes and procedures so that staff use the Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor Next Generation formulary to change unit of issuance and product pricing information in the item master files.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/15/2021
The executive in charge, office of under secretary for health, and the principal executive director, office of acquisition, logistics, and construction, require the Healthcare Commodities Program Office and Strategic Acquisition Center to confirm that prime vendor American Medical Depot uses formulary sources when fulfilling requests for medical or surgical products under the Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor Next Generation.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/15/2021
The executive in charge, office of under secretary for health, requires the director, VHA Procurement and Logistics Office, to see that all those who order supplies under the Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor-Next Generation contract have proper delegated authority.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/17/2025

The executive in charge, office of under secretary for health, and the principal executive director, Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, require the Healthcare Commodities Program Office and Strategic Acquisition Center to monitor the Integrated Product Team’s development and implementation of a process to validate performance metric reporting such as on unadjusted fill rates.

No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/17/2025

The executive in charge, office of under secretary for health, requires the Procurement and Logistics Office to strengthen controls, monitor the Healthcare Commodities Program Office monthly, and ensure adherence to the established Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor Next Generation program control plan.

No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/6/2020
The executive in charge, office of under secretary for health, and the principal executive director, Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, require the Healthcare Commodities Program Office and Strategic Acquisition Center to identify and resolve discrepancies between unadjusted fill rate reporting methods used by the Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor Next Generation prime vendor for select eastern area VA medical centers.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/6/2020
The executive in charge, office of under secretary for health, and the principal executive director, office of acquisition, logistics, and construction, direct the Healthcare Commodities Program Office and Strategic Acquisition Center to see that all prime vendors use the unadjusted fill rate calculation methodology in accordance with the Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor Next Generation contract.
No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/15/2021
The executive in charge, office of under secretary for health, and the principal executive director, office of acquisition, logistics, and construction, instruct the Healthcare Commodities Program Office and Strategic Acquisition Center to require the Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor Next Generation prime vendor for select eastern area VA medical centers to provide corrected unadjusted fill rates for the fiscal year 2018 and current reporting periods.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 84,000,000.00
Insufficient Oversight of VA’s Undelivered Orders
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17-04859-196

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/7/2020
The Veterans Health Administration chief financial officer and the Veterans Health Administration executive director for procurement should ensure relevant staff review and reconcile open orders to identify and deobligate excess funds for completed, canceled, or orders recorded more than once, and ensure the relevant staff follow existing policy regarding required reviews of open obligations.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/27/2020
The Veterans Health Administration chief financial officer and the Veterans Health Administration executive director for procurement should ensure that obligation policy includes specific time frames for effective interdepartmental communication to ensure timely identification of funds that are no longer needed for their original purpose and could be deobligated.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of Management (OM),Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/27/2020
The assistant secretary for management and chief financial officer should develop a process for monitoring performance across the Department regarding reconciliation of open orders and develop a plan to share results with appropriate officials for their action.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/7/2020
The Veterans Health Administration chief financial officer and the Veterans Health Administration executive director for procurement should ensure compliance with existing policy, which requires that obligations be adjusted when actual costs of goods and services are known to be less than the initially recorded amount.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/28/2021
The Veterans Health Administration chief financial officer and the Veterans Health Administration executive director for procurement should ensure compliance with policy, which requires that obligations be supported by sufficient documentary evidence that substantiates the validity and proper authorization of obligations and that the evidence be retained and readily available upon request.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/27/2020
The Veterans Health Administration executive director for procurement should ensure timely modifications or closing of contracts, when applicable, to allow for the deobligation of funds no longer required.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 132,600,000.00
Delays and Deficiencies in Management of Selected Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Outpatient Exams
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18-02300-236

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/2/2020
Ensure facility staff evaluate scheduling workload and that medical support assistant staffing is adequately distributed for scheduling radiology exam requests in a timely manner.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/17/2020
Provide formal guidance to facilities for establishing clinic management models for adequate radiology resources, including staffing and equipment.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/4/2021
Ensure facility radiology and nuclear medicine services monitor exam requests pending greater than seven days and address them in a timely manner.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/11/2019
Confirm with each facility director that they reviewed each record and took appropriate action as they deemed necessary for the three completed requests with additional follow-up care needs.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/17/2020
Develop and implement a plan for improved radiology and nuclear medicine oversight at the Veterans Integrated Service Network level.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/4/2021
Implement a mechanism to routinely audit canceled exam requests, ensuring the requests are in accordance with VA radiology and nuclear medicine policies and procedures for canceling exam requests, and taking corrective actions as needed based on audit results.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/17/2020
Create a method to notify radiology and nuclear medicine leaders at all VA medical facilities when guidance is released. The method should be streamlined with maximum distribution and ensure receipt and acknowledgment by affected radiology and nuclear medicine leaders.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/11/2019
Confirm with each facility director that they review each record and take appropriate action for five of the six canceled requests with outstanding exam needs.
VHA Did Not Effectively Manage Appeals of Non VA Care Claims
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18-06294-213

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)
Closure Date: 12/2/2020
The Under Secretary for Health ensure the Payment Operations and Management directorate identifies its facilities that receive appeals but do not have sufficient staff assigned to process them, and then promptly transfers unprocessed appeals from those facilities to a Payment Operations and Management appeals-processing facility to ensure they are processed.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/1/2020
The Under Secretary for Health ensure the Payment Operations and Management directorate updates communications to direct claimants to submit appeals to its facilities with designated appeals-processing staff.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/10/2020
The Under Secretary for Health clearly define the roles and responsibilities of an accountable OCC official to oversee the Payment Operations and Management directorate’s appeals function.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/10/2020
The Under Secretary for Health ensure the Payment Operations and Management directorate implements and communicates effective policies and procedures for its staff to promptly process their pending appeals workload.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/10/2020
The Under Secretary for Health ensure the Payment Operations and Management directorate completely and accurately identifies and records its pending appeals inventory in a standard system of record and implements controls to effectively maintain the pending appeals inventory in the system of record.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/2/2020
The Under Secretary for Health ensure all Payment Operations and Management directorate appeals processors obtain access to Caseflow promptly, and that Caseflow includes fields that are necessary to effectively manage Payment Operations and Management appeals.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/10/2020
The Under Secretary for Health ensure the Payment Operations and Management directorate implements and communicates to all staff effective policies and procedures for processing and managing appeals under the new appeals process, including timeliness standards.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/2/2020
The Under Secretary for Health ensure the Payment Operations and Management directorate completes a comprehensive assessment of its appeals workforce and inventory, and then reevaluates its appeals staffing needs.
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