Cost of VA Medical Care to Ineligible Persons Is High and Difficult to Recover.

Abstract

During the 27-month period ended December 31, 1979, the Veterans Administration attempted to collect $15 million from persons who had received medical care in VA facilities, but who were not eligible for VA benefits. VA recovered $1.2 million of this amount and wrote off $6.5 million as uncollectible. A major cause of the problem involving ineligible persons is VA's policy of not denying medical care to persons pending positive determination of their entitlement to VA benefits. GAO recommends that VA: (1) provide medical care to individuals whose entitlement to veteran benefits cannot be determined at the time of application only when their medical condition requires prompt medical attention; and (2) strengthen the eligibility determination process and collection of debts.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 02, 1981
Accession Number
ADA106588

Entities

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  • United States Government Accountability Office

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  • Data Processing
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  • New York
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  • United States

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