AHA urges VA to issue proposed rule on claims audit and appeals processes

AHA Oct. 4 urged the Department of Veterans Affairs to issue proposed rulemaking for its audit and appeals processes under the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 in order to allow for public input and formalize clear standards and expectations. 
 
“We applaud the VA’s efforts to conduct recovery audits in order to return overpayments in accordance with the law,” AHA wrote. “However, our members have expressed significant concerns about [the contractor’s] audit and appeals process, including its inadequate appeals procedures, the scope of audits being performed and the untenable timelines that are being executed. It is adding confusion and unnecessary administrative burden to a workforce that is already significantly strained.”