Whistleblower Disclosure Led VA to Reimburse Veterans Charged for Emergency Ambulance Services

August 19, 2020

OSC today sent letters to the President and Congress outlining how a VA whistleblower worked with OSC to ensure veterans were fully reimbursed for ambulance transportation services.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) today sent letters to the President and Congress outlining how a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) whistleblower worked with OSC to ensure veterans were fully reimbursed for ambulance transportation services to a VA medical facility in Harlingen, Texas. The whistleblower alleged the VA failed to pay for the ambulance bills and did not reimburse eligible veterans who paid out-of-pocket. By law, the VA is required to pay transportation costs for veterans eligible for the Beneficiary Travel Program. An investigation by the agency substantiated the allegation citing delays in the VA's processing of private vendor claims.

The report made several recommendations, and in July, the VA confirmed to OSC that all invoices had been paid and that new invoices were being processed and paid in fewer than 14 days. Further, all staff members at the Texas facility had received training on processing and payment procedures.

“Ambulance services can be very costly. Veterans who are already dealing with serious health problems should not also have to bear the stress and financial burden of paying these large bills out-of-pocket," said Special Counsel Henry J. Kerner. “I thank the whistleblower for bringing this matter to OSC and the VA for implementing recommendations from the report."