Stronger VA and DOD Actions Needed To Recover Costs of Medical Services to Persons With Work-Related Injuries or Illnesses
HRD-82-49
Published: Jun 04, 1982. Publicly Released: Jul 06, 1982.
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Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed Veterans Administration (VA) and Department of Defense (DOD) efforts to recover the costs of medical services from workers compensation insurance in cases involving work-related injury or illness. Sample claims were traced to the facilities that provided the medical care to determine whether VA and DOD officials were aware of the claims and had sought reimbursement from workers compensation carriers or employers for the treatment provided.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | The Administrator of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense should reemphasize the need for medical facilities to refer potential work-related cases to the recovery office and issue instructions requiring that all requests for medical records from an attorney, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, or an insurance company be referred to the recovery office for possible recovery action. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Veterans Administration | The Administrator of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense should reemphasize the need for medical facilities to refer potential work-related cases to the recovery office and issue instructions requiring that all requests for medical records from an attorney, the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, or an insurance company be referred to the recovery office for possible recovery action. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Veterans Administration | The Administrator of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense should revise regulations or written procedures to emphasize that Government representatives should actively participate in workers compensation settlements. |
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 Administrator of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense should revise regulations or written procedures to emphasize that Government representatives should actively participate in workers compensation settlements. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Veterans Administration | The Administrator of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense should monitor the progress of the Medi-Cal pilot project in California to determine whether a similar contract could improve VA and DOD recoveries. |
Closed – Not Implemented
VA does not intend to monitor the project.
|
| Department of Defense | The Administrator of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense should monitor the progress of the Medi-Cal pilot project in California to determine whether a similar contract could improve VA and DOD recoveries. |
Closed – Not Implemented
VA does not intend to monitor the project.
|
| Department of Defense | The Administrator of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense should direct recovery offices in California to object to the application of the Gregory formula to VA and DOD liens. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Veterans Administration | The Administrator of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of Defense should direct recovery offices in California to object to the application of the Gregory formula to VA and DOD liens. |
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
Compensation claimsGovernment collectionsHealth care costsHealth care servicesHealth insuranceReimbursements to governmentWorkers compensationMilitary forcesCompensationMedical records