(TNND) — A federal watchdog criticized the Department of Veterans Affairs for long delays in paying veterans millions of dollars in medical co-payment refunds they were rightfully owed.
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel also said Wednesday that VA hasn’t adequately addressed how it will deal with the backlog of refunds.
The special counsel said a whistleblower brought the issue to light, prompting his office to request a review and report from VA.
The whistleblower told the special counsel that an audit found about $110 million in potential refunds owed to more than 970,000 veterans from 2012 through 2020.
VA reviewed the whistleblower allegations, at the watchdog’s request, and confirmed the existence of the backlog.
VA's existing strategy is to stay current with refund requests and work the backlog as time allows, according to the special counsel.
VA told the special counsel the problem has existed for at least five years and blamed the backlog of refunds in part on staffing constraints.
Law requires VA to refund any medical co-pay incorrectly charged.
Veterans' co-pays are written off, or cancelled, by VA for multiple reasons, most commonly a change in a veteran's service-connected condition or a charge billed in error.
Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger said VA’s report failed to present a fleshed out plan of action to resolve the issue, and he said he’s working with the...
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