VAOIG Review of Inappropriate Copayment Billing for Treatment Related to Military Sexual Trauma

Healthcare Inspection Review of Inappropriate Copayment Billing for Treatment Related to Military Sexual Trauma 02/04/10. OHI reviewed allegations that veterans at VA Austin Outpatient Clinic (OPC) in Texas (part of Central Texas Veterans Health Care System) have been charged for treatment that was related to Military Sexual Trauma (MST) treatment. Erroneous copayments for MST-related care occurred because staff inappropriately changed patients’ copayment status from “not required to make a copayment” to “copayment required”, without reviewing for an MST designation. In addition to educating staff on the process for reviewing MSTs prior to adding charges, the standard operation procedure should require staff to establish a process to check for the practice in an established on-going quality assurance activity. CTVHCS managers cancelled all erroneous charges and refunded the patients any payments received. VAOIG