Manchester VA investigated

According to an investigation from the Inspector General, the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Manchester manipulated appointment dates and referrals to improve its performance statistics.

The investigation found that as late as 2012, employees would record a patient’s desired appointment date as the same day as the next available appointment.  Some employees said this was due to confusion over how the system was supposed to be used.  Other employees said it was an attempt to show zero-day wait times.

The investigation also found that as late as 2014 primary care physicians were asked to cancel referrals to cardiology, and resubmit the referrals at a later date, if there was not a cardiology appointment available within fourteen days.  This decreased the reported wait times for cardiology appointments, improving the department’s statistics.

These results show that the VAMC in Manchester is not immune to the wait time problems seen at VA facilities across the United States. 

However, the report noted that “no patient harm was identified” as a result of the date manipulations. 

The VAMC also told the Union Leader that “the problems were promptly addressed when discovered.”

VA reforms are one topic for debate in the 2016 elections.  Most New Hampshire candidates for U.S. House and Senate support expanding a program that gives veterans vouchers to get care at private hospitals.

Are you concerned about veterans health care in New Hampshire?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.