State Department: Need to Ensure Recovery of Overseas Medical Expenses
NSIAD-92-277
Published: Aug 07, 1992. Publicly Released: Sep 09, 1992.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of State's controls over the medical expenses incurred by overseas employees and dependents, focusing on three embassies' procedures and systems for determining whether they ensure full recovery of paid government medical benefits payable to insured employees and dependents.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should ensure that systems are developed to identify and report on: (1) the amount authorized and paid by each embassy for medical expenses, by employee, and the date expenses were authorized or paid; (2) the names of the employees' insurer and the date employees filed claims for reimbursement; (3) the amount of recoverable expenses paid to employees and the amount employees remitted to the government; and (4) delinquencies or problems employees experience in filing claims or remitting recoverable expenses to the government. |
Closed – Implemented
In fiscal year 1994, the State Department collected $1.6 million in funds paid for overseas medical expenses that were owed to the government, and is implementing processes to ensure that these expenses are tracked, reimbursements are identified, employees are held accountable, and funds owed to the U.S. government are paid promptly.
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Topics
Accounting errorsAccounting proceduresAmericans employed abroadDependentsEmbassiesFederal agency accounting systemsFinancial management systemsInteragency relationsMedical expense claimsHealth care services