**GAO-10-152T**                      Published: Oct 15, 2009. Publicly Released: Oct 15, 2009.                  

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## Highlights

GAO was asked to testify on billing practices of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). GAO previously reported that continuing problems in billing and collection processes at VA impaired its ability to maximize revenue from private insurance companies (third-party insurers). In June 2008, GAO reported on its follow-up review that (1) evaluated VA billing controls, (2) assessed VA-wide controls for collections, and (3) determined the effectiveness of VA oversight over third-party billings and collections. To perform the review, GAO conducted case-study analyses of the third-party billing function at 18 medical centers, statistically tested controls over collections VA-wide, and reviewed current oversight policies and procedures. GAO reported the results of this review in GAO-08-675.

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## Topics

Veterans

AccountabilityBilling proceduresCollection proceduresData collectionData integrityDebt collectionDocumentationHealth care cost controlHealth care costsHealth care servicesHealth centersHealth insuranceInsurance companiesInternal controlsInvoicesMedical care cost recoveryMedical expense claimsPolicy evaluationRecords managementVeterans hospitalsPolicies and proceduresStandards (health care)