Increased Productivity in Processing Travel Claims Can Cut Administrative Costs Significantly
AFMD-81-18
Published: Jan 19, 1981. Publicly Released: Jan 30, 1981.
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Highlights
GAO examined the productivity in processing travel claims in response to a congressional request.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Heads of Federal Agencies | The heads of departments and agencies should examine each payment center to determine what actions can be taken to increase productivity. |
Closed – Not Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| General Services Administration | The Administrator of General Services should include the following in the Federal Travel Regulations (FTR): a statement of the responsibilities of payment center examiners in auditing vouchers. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should direct the Defense Per Diem Committee to adopt the two-tier, lodgings-plus method for reimbursing military travel and in conjunction with the General Services Administration propose legislation to replace the high rate method with a two-tier, lodgings-plus method. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| General Services Administration | The Administrator of General Services should direct that the proposal to add en route reimbursement to the lodgings-plus method be revised as we have suggested. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| General Services Administration | The Administrator of General Services should include the following in the FTR: a requirement for supervisory review of travel vouchers and an explanation of the purpose of such reviews, of which one level is sufficient. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| General Services Administration | The Administrator of General Services should include the following in the FTR: instructions that typing of vouchers is not required and should not be done when travelers prepare legible, handwritten vouchers. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Heads of Federal Agencies | The heads of departments and agencies should establish productivity measures for travel voucher processing as part of their payment center productivity measures, which GAO recommended in a prior report. |
Closed – Not Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| General Services Administration | The Administrator of General Services should propose legislation to replace the high rate geographic area method with a two-tier, lodgings-plus method and increase the maximum amount reimbursable for lodgings-plus to such a level to allow for cost growth without getting congressional approval for each new ceiling. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
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Topics
Administrative costsClaims processingCost controlFederal employeesProductivity in governmentTransportation expense claimsData errorsTravel costsData automationMilitary forces