VA Disability Exams: Better Planning Needed as Use of Contracted Examiners Continues to Grow

reportActive / Technical Report | Accesssion Number: AD1163114 | Open PDF

Abstract:

The Department of Veterans Affairs often uses medical exams to determine if disability benefits are warranted. This work has increasingly shifted from VA medical centers to contractors, who performed about 1.1 million of the 1.4 million exams completed in FY 2020. We testified that VA has not applied sound planning practices in transferring this work to contractors. For example, VA has not developed timelines or assessed potential risks. In addition, VA does not conduct targeted reviews to check contractor work on more complex exams, such as those for Gulf War Illness. Our recommendations address these issues.

Author(s):
Curda, Elizabeth ; Tee, Nyree R. ; Gordinas, Justin ; Reed, David ; Augeri, Justine ; Dye, Holly ; Galuten, Alex ; Jaynes, Melissa ; Nwadugbo, Ada ; Savoy, Monica ; Spencer, Almeta ; Taylor, Curtia
Author Organization(s):
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
Funding Organization(s):
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WASHINGTON DC, WASHINGTON , DC
Document Type:
Technical Report/Congressional Testimony
Publication Date:
2021 Mar 23
Pagination:
21

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution Code:
A - Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement: Public Release

RECORD

Collection: TRECMS
Subject Terms
Communities of Interest:
No COI(s) Identified
Descriptor(s):
health services, brain injuries, traumatic stress disorder, department of veterans affairs, united states government, anxiety disorders, covid-19, governments, persian gulf syndrome, risk analysis, contracts, accountability, congress, contractors, control systems, risk, training
Keyword(s):
Veterans, Contractors, Contracts, Disability benefits, Disability claims, Health care quality, Medical examinations, Quality control, Veterans affairs, Veterans benefits
Subject Categories:
Behavioral and Social Sciences; Behavioral and Social Sciences
Creation Date:
2022 Mar 10
Update Date:
2022 Mar 30