Report Shows Veterans Administration Wait Times Better, Fulfilling More Veterans Benefits

After months of scandal and investigation into the Veterans Administration, which has been accused of creating secret wait lists and failing to schedule veterans for timely appointments, a new report shows that the Veterans Administration wait times at some VA hospitals are finally going down, and veterans are finally receiving their benefits.

The report shows that the national average for Veterans Administration wait times medical centers has decreased to 51 days, and the number of veterans waiting for doctors’ appointments or fulfillment of veterans benefits has been cut in half.

Recently, Congress voted to give the Veterans Administration emergency funding to help solve staffing and computer issues at VA hospitals and medical centers. The bill gave the VA $16.3 million in emergency funding, but also added a program called the Veterans Choice Card, which allows private doctors to schedule appointments with veterans, paid for by veterans benefits.

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham praised the Veterans Choice Card, which allows veterans to receive treatment with private doctors if they cannot get treatment at a VA hospital within 14 days. The Card also allows veterans to receive treatment with a private doctor if there is no VA hospital within 40 miles – as several VA hospitals have closed in the last few years, this would allow many of Graham’s constituents, who live in rural areas, to receive better treatment much faster.

“It will make the VA more responsible because veterans will have a choice so if the VA doesn’t deliver they’re going to lose a lot of business,” Graham said.

The Veterans Administration report suggests that the Congressional bill has begun to make an impact on the VA’s wait times problem.

Watchdog Group Shows Veterans Administration Wait Times Not Fatal

In addition to the good news about appointment scheduling, a Veterans Administration watchdog group reported that no veterans died as a direct result of long wait times at the Phoenix VA, the veterans hospital whose secret waitlist scandal triggered the investigation into the Veterans Administration.

“While the case reviews in this report document poor quality of care, we are unable to conclusively assert that the absence of timely quality care caused the death of these veterans,” the inspector-general report said.

However, the document did note that 28 patients had “clinically significant” delays in care due to scheduling problems or poor access to care, which could have compounded health issues.

Since the scandal broke in April, the VA has successfully sent 190,000 veterans to private doctors for treatment, thanks to the Congressional bill allowing private doctors to fulfill veterans benefits.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with VA Wrongful Death and Delayed Treatment Cases

The mistreatment of Veterans in unacceptable. The Veterans Benefit Lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, L.L.C. work with veterans to file claims for a variety of disabilities and can assist you in filing your claims with the Veterans Administration. Veterans Disability can be complex.  Not understanding the basics and not having counsel may leave you in a bind.  We understand that you and your family need your benefits.  We will put our years of experience to work for you to ensure that you have the representation necessary to actively pursue your claim. Call the Veterans Benefits Attorneys at the Strom Law Firm today to discuss your case. We will be glad to discuss any questions you may have during our free, confidential discussion. Call the attorneys at the Strom Law Firm at (803) 252-4800.