VA announced it will launch the “Seek to Prevent Fraud, Waste and Abuse” (STOP FWA) initiative that will capitalize on existing departmental activities that prevent or identify prevent fraud, waste and abuse, as well as ensure a consistent approach to prevent fraud, waste and abuse risk management as a way to centralize organizational resources.
“VA will create an organizational culture that is committed to STOP FWA,” said VA secretary, Dr. David J. Shulkin. “The initiative will protect the resources that deliver services and benefits our nation’s Veterans have earned.”
Historically, VA has had a decentralized approach to identifying, responding and preventing prevent fraud, waste and abuse. For example, VA’s three administrations — Health, Benefits and Cemetery — as well as its various staff offices all had separate budgets and programs dedicated to preventing prevent fraud, waste and abuse.
Under the decentralized approach, VA’s Office of Community Care prevented $27 million of potentially fraudulent payments in fiscal year 2016 and VA’s Debt Management Center referred more than $11 million in potentially fraudulent activity, so far in this fiscal year.
STOP FWA’s centralized approach will consolidate VA’s resources under one organization to achieve even greater success. The department-wide effort will eliminate duplicative activities and explore potential partnerships with other federal agencies to capitalize on their successes in detecting fraud, waste and abuse.
Finally, VA will establish a prevention of prevent fraud, waste and abuse advisory committee by July 2017. Secretary Shulkin is developing a list of potential co-chairs and committee members, and the department will also seek committee members through the Federal Register.
The committee will provide insight into lessons learned and private-sector practices; identify analytical tools that can be used at VA to prevent fraud, waste and abuse; and leverage a deep wealth of experience in building mature, effective STOP FWA programs that protect VA’s resources.
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The “STOP FWA” effort reminds me of many similar campaigns in my years in private industry. Just another “program” from the latest new Director, VP or new Masters graduate. However, in private industry these programs eventually go away as do many of the dead weight employees assigned to them. The best employees are then freed to go back to being productive at their primary jobs (if not stuck in another “program”).
The problem in the VA is this creates another monster bureaucracy of regular employees as well as additional high-paid “experts” in the field. None will be let go when the program dissolves. They’ll simply add to the already top-heavy organization, absorbing more of the monies Congress has earmarked for veterans.
Fraud does exist among veterans. That’s unfortunate and bears discovery and reduction or elimination. But a major problem exists with VA staff that can’t be eliminated when no longer needed or are poor performers. A hiring freeze among non-providers would be a good start followed by a negotiation with the employees union (or elimination thereof) to excise non-performers or poor performers from the VA payroll.
The STOP FWA program is aimed at institutionally identifying FWA. As a veteran I received a medicare billing from a provider that I questioned but I don’t know to whom I should address questions. Should Medicare be billed directly for a service that was performed during a VAS surgical procedure? My thought is that it may have been double-billed to the VA and to Medicare. P. Wiese Miami Springs, FL.
My veteran husband has had 3 surgeries on his brain. I had to quit my job of 20yrs to stay home to take care of everything. His ex fiduciary also a veteran in a matter of her being 6months poa she sold his home.the contents of his home. Stole custody of his kids and refuses to give (redacted) any of those funds the va has had her under investigations for adult bullying, stealing, lying, falsly using her dead sisters social security number to obtain va benefit insurance. The VA TOLD (redacted) TO GIVE EVERYTHING BACK AND TO GIVE ME ACCOUNT NUMBERS AND THE MONEY IN APRIL OF 2016 WE STILL HAVE NOTHING RETURNED. WE HAD TO GET A LAWYER AND SPEND OUR SAVINGS AS WELL AS HIS VA MONTHLY BENEFITS. WE ARE TOLD BY KENTUCKY FEDUCIARY HUB THAT IT IS BEING INVESTIGATED. (redacted) WAS WAITING FOR HIM TO DIE IN OUR OPINION. (redacted) AS OF JUNE 13TH 2017 IS STILL NOT GIVING (redacted) VA FUNDS BACK AND (redacted) VA HAS DONE NOTHING TO HELP AND ITS 1.25 YRS LATER. TRUMP,THE VA AND THE VA SUPERVISOR IN WASHINGTON COULD DO A BETTER JOB BY HELPING THIS VETERAN IN OUR OPINIONS.
I redacted all names for privacy and libel reasons. The original message was forwarded through the appropriate channels for review.
nine years looking for my DD 214 .When I know it was able to to be done in six month or less a total of 12 years to get a rating in my disability. .
Is amazing one of the VSO serve time in Jail do to the bad job he was performing now VSO IN Miami make me sick that they are so insensitive to the problem Veteran are Facing in top of the list Carlos Gabino.
George P Marquez
WHY DO THE VA. AND THE DOD KEEP SAYING ON AGENT ORANGE WAS USED OR STORED
ON OKINAWA DURING VETNAM WAR ???????????????????????????????????
why dont some one look in to these LIES???????????????????????????????????
VETERANS CALL YOUR CONGERSMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE MUST STICK TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There ate 100,000 va claims over one year old. Va does not seem to care and no special process to fix that problem. Deny them or pay them just don’t let them drag on and on and on.
Mr Secretary Please keep the Milwaukee VA running. I am a vietnam vet and want you to know what an outstanding job they do. everyone there is great and perform there care well. I feel pride when treated there and are one of the top performers that give you the care that is needed. I wrote to President Trump and let him know this also. I did say they need to combat the supplies they purchase from where ever and cut out being ripped off. I always here its an government job so sock it to them.doing this will help with expenditures that are taking the American people down. I cannot understand why so many do this and it only hurts all of us. maybe putting a stop to the ones that are doing this will help all aspects of government. Thank you.
My Problem is my VA shrink is there just for a pay check. And doing nothing to help. Out of 6 months cause I only see him once every 3 months. And he doesn’t follow thru. Cause I called and told his nurse. That pills were making me sleep. So I’m not functioning, never called me back . Very discouraging not be able to function.
Shawn Penrod
1033 SW 1st Lot 14
I am curious why the VA, continues to focus on ALL OTHER issues except CLAIMS and APPEALS. Which, by the way, are the single most important issue to veterans. I used to joke about and now I am concerned about, being yet another veteran that dies prior to my claims being completed. PLEASE, PLEASE notify all people seeking to enlist in the military that in the future, when you need benefits the most, THEY WILL NOT BE THERE
I AM A 69 YEAR OLD 100% VIETNAM COMBAT VETERAN WHO SUFFERS FROM PTSD, DIABETES, PROSTATE CANCER SURVIVOR, NEUROPATHY, BLADDER ISSUES ETC. I RECEIVE $848. MoONTHL FROM SOCIAL SECURITY. HOW AM TO SURVIVE ON YOUR PROPOSED CUTS TO DISABLED VETERANS? IS THIS THE REWARD I GET FOR MY SERVICE? STARVATION, HOMELESSNESS, FORCLOSURE ETC.
The VA needs to crack down and clean-up the lawyer VSO programs. There is too much Fraud, Waste and Abuse through this system allowing perfectly healthy Vets to be awarded up to 100% VA disability through the deceitful private medical and legal practices. This is nothing more than a “Pay For Play” ploy and steals from deserving Vets.
There is a lot of fraud within the disability payments area, especially for PTSD. I know several vets who are receiving large disability payments for PTSD when there is nothing wrong with them. They brag how they just lie to the examining doctor about their symptoms and receive high disability ratings. PTSD is ripe for fraud for the dishonest vet who is willing to lie about symptoms just to collect a free check every month.
are you a veteran???????
Harry Ackroyd, well spoken! There are dishonest vets, just as there is dishonesty in every other group. Fraudulent PTSD claims not only take money away from those who truly deserve compensation, but clog up the VA system and delay the processing of legitimate claims.
While VA medical and mental health benefits should always be available and easily accessible to vets, disability compensation is a different matter. Fraudulent claims take money away from those vets who cannot provide for themselves or their loved ones and steal from the American taxpayer.
Hopefully, investigating fraud, waste, and abuse in the PTSD disability program will be a top priority with the VA’s Inspector General.
I am the spouse of a Viet Nam vet.
Choice program is a detriment to all vets. Choice sent me to see an optometrist 4 consecutive times when the orders specified an ophthalmologist. As a result of multiple errors made by both Choice and VA providers the previously correctable problem with the vision in my left eye is now classified as uncorrectable.
THANK YOU VA, FOR BEING SO GOOD TO MY HUSBAND. HE IS A VITENAM VET WITH PARKINSON AND HE FILE HIS CLAIM YOU WERE SO GOOD TO TAKE CARE OF IT. AS HIS PARKINSON PROGRESS I AM SURE THAT THE VA WILL BE THERE FOR HIM. AGAIN
YOU FOR TAKING CARE OF THE VETERANS.
THANK YOU AGAIN,
THE WIFE OF A VITENAM VETERAN THAT IS HAVING A HARD TIME WITH HIS PARKINSON. THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE.
I am fighting them to I appealed my compensation case and now all they say I can do is wait for the appeal process which apparently takes 5 plus years. Wow they must be really busy! God bless brother and believe me we will continue the fight. OIF Veteran
Mr. Secretary, You spoke of 20 Veterans committing suicide a day. The Government has taken away our pain medication and are going to reduce the amount of our benefits. Be sure to come back and let us know how much that number has gone up. War doesn’t kill, the Government does.
Thank you Mr. Marshall, you articulated my thoughts perfectly.
Gene. This VA Secretary & President Trump do not care about the annual income of any veteran. Their goal is to ensure the Choice program remains financially stable.
WE are no longer “usable” for any future wars so we are expendable. We are just a number written in lead,
the VA holds the big eraser. Nothing we say or do is going to salvage our rightfully earned disability benefits.
I have fought for the rights of veterans and against the VA for many years. I am a proud Vietnam Combat Veteran. However, I am very tired. I believe the fight will have to continue with the next generation of veterans. I have nothing left to give!!
Your right on TARGET Mr Marshall!
I have had 3 spinal fusions my knees are so bad that I cannot stand or walk more than 10 feet without support from my Walker or power wheelchair. They have Cut my pain meds so fast that I am having severe pain and withdrawls. Sometimes I think that I’m better off Dead.