VA disability exams: Actions needed to clarify program requirements regarding examiners : report to congressional committees

VA disability exams: Actions needed to clarify program requirements regarding examiners : report to congressional committees

Collection:
Health Policy and Services Research
Alternate Title(s):
Actions needed to clarify program requirements regarding examiners: report to congressional committees
Contributor(s):
United States. Government Accountability Office, issuing body.
Publication:
Washington, DC : United States Government Accountability Office, June 2023
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Disability Evaluation
Government Regulation
Legislation, Medical
Telemedicine
United States
United States. Veterans Benefits Administration
United States. Veterans Health Administration
Genre(s):
Technical Report
Abstract:
Why GAO did this study. In fiscal year 2021, VA paid nearly $99 billion in disability compensation to over 5 million veterans with service-connected disabilities. VA may ask a veteran to undergo a disability medical exam to help determine eligibility for disability compensation. VHA employees and examiners contracted by VBA conduct these exams. The Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 includes a provision for GAO to review certain aspects of VA’s disability exam program. This report examines (1) VA’s use of telehealth for disability medical exams, (2) how VA and its vendors used a temporary expansion of license portability, and (3) VHA’s efforts to recruit and retain examiners and provide information to its medical facilities to inform such efforts. GAO analyzed data on VA’s use of telehealth from April 2020 through September 2022 and reviewed relevant VA guidance. GAO compared VA’s guidance and practices to relevant federal standards for internal control. In addition, GAO interviewed officials from VA, exam vendors, and a non-generalizable sample of five VHA medical facilities, selected in part for variation in the number of exams completed and geographic location. What GAO recommends. GAO is making three recommendations, including that VBA develop and document formal procedures to monitor license portability use and that VHA clarify guidance to facilities to define key terminology. VA generally agreed with the recommendations.
Copyright:
The National Library of Medicine believes this item to be in the public domain. (More information)
Extent:
1 online resource (1 PDF file (ii, 27 pages))
Illustrations:
Illustrations
NLM Unique ID:
9918681585906676 (See catalog record)
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9918681585906676