Mail Management: The Department of Veterans Affairs Can Further Reduce Its Postage Costs
GGD-91-44
Published: Mar 19, 1991. Publicly Released: Mar 19, 1991.
Skip to Highlights
Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed opportunities to reduce the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) postage costs through improved mail management.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Veterans Affairs | The Secretary of Veterans Affairs should revise the prescription renewal schedule to allow veterans to renew prescriptions more than 10 days before they are depleted. |
Closed – Implemented
VA disagreed with the recommendation but initiated a selective 90-day prescription filling policy that reduced mailing cost. Disagreement is based on VA medical policy.
|
| Department of Veterans Affairs | The Secretary of Veterans Affairs should direct the medical centers to reevaluate the adequacy of fourth-class service at each center and require the centers to mail prescription drugs and other pharmacy items fourth-class where service is determined to be adequate. |
Closed – Implemented
VA disagreed with the recommendation based on medical policy and quality of medical care. VA policy states the facilities are to use the lowest cost service and VA will encourage centers to use fourth-class mail.
|
| Department of Veterans Affairs | The Secretary of Veterans Affairs should direct the medical centers to consider use of alternative mail carriers, if cost-effective, at centers where fourth-class service is not considered adequate. |
Closed – Implemented
VA policy recommends medical centers use alternate carriers if cost effective. No further action will be taken by VA.
|
Full Report
Office of Public Affairs
Topics
Cost analysisCost controlDrugsInteragency relationsMail transportation operationsManagement information systemsPostal ratesPostal serviceVeterans benefitsVeterans hospitals