New VA Policy Attempts to Streamline Paperwork for Choice Providers

Press Release

Today Dr. Dan Benishek (MI-01) announced a new change in policy at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that would reduce the amount of paper work local health care providers must complete when participating in the VA Choice program. This change is intended to decrease the payment delays that local providers experience when participating in the Choice program. Frequent delays have led to some providers opting to leave the program, further reducing heath care access for veterans.

"Our veterans have earned the right to high quality health care, and it is our responsibility to ensure they have access to that care. We cannot allow bureaucracy and paperwork to keep the Choice program from working in the manner that Congress intended it to work for our veterans," said Dr. Benishek. "I have heard from far too many local health care providers who are trying to take care of our veterans in the Choice program, but continue to encounter hurdles such as not being paid in a timely manner. While I am pleased the VA is taking this first step to help streamline the program, more needs to be done and I will continue to work with veterans and providers to improve the program."

Under previous rules, payments to providers were not allowed until a copy of the veteran's medical record was submitted. This unnecessary and unusual paperwork requirement has been cited as a cause of confusion and delays among Choice providers leading to some deciding to drop out of the program. The Choice program was created by Congress in 2014 in response to the unacceptable waiting times for veterans seeking medical care. The program allows veterans to seek needed health care from participating non-VA health care providers in their community should access to the regular VA medical facility not be available.

Veterans or providers who are seeking to participate in the Choice program or who have any issues or concerns with the program are encouraged to contact Dr. Benishek's office at 202-225-4735.

Dr. Benishek spent 20 years as a VA doctor treating patients at the Iron Mountain VA facility. As Chairman of the Veterans Health Subcommittee, he played an integral role in creating and helping to pass the landmark reform legislation, leading many of the hearings that uncovered the VA's incompetency. Dr. Benishek was also successful in getting a new law enacted based on an idea from a local veterans that provides Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) greater access to federal surplus property, such as spare vehicles and equipment, for use at their facilities.

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