Larry Dandridge By Larry Dandridge
After the President fired 17 U.S. Department Inspector Generals, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Inspector General (IG), without giving the legally required 30-day notice, many veterans may wonder if the VA Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is still operating. The answer is “Yes.”
Two of the many good things that the VA OIG does include issuing Crime and Fraud Alerts and providing resources to help veterans and VA employees identify, report, and prevent fraud.
Fraud Alert: Substance use disorder treatment scams
According to the VA OIG’s Fraud Alert, December 17, 2024, “Fraud Alert: Substance Use Disorder Treatment Scams,” https://bit.ly/4iKJ7pq, the VA OIG is investigating allegations that certain drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities or treatment centers are attempting to exploit veterans with substance use disorders for profit through various unethical and illegal practices. Recruiters target veterans to use these facilities, often offering incentives and misrepresenting the services. The facilities then excessively bill the VA for unnecessary or unrendered treatment. Veterans and VA personnel can help by identifying and reporting these scams.
Veterans beware
Veterans should beware of anyone encouraging them to go to a specific (often out-of-state) facility when a closer VA or community option is preferred, especially if the veteran (or their friends or relatives) are being offered incentives like plane tickets, cash, gift cards, housing, or scholarships.
Report scams, fraud, waste, abuse to VA OIG
VA employees, veterans, and veteran family members should report suspected wrongdoing to the VA OIG if they learn that veterans have attended a facility but have not received promised services, such as counseling. VA employees and contractors should also report any instances in which they are pressured to circumvent procedures to place, admit, or extend veterans’ treatments.Submit complaints to VA OIG by going to www.vaoig.gov/hotline , phoning 800-488-8244, or writing to the VA Inspector General Hotline (53H), 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420. The VA OIG FAX is 202-495-5861.Anyone can download a “BE A VOICE FOR VETERANS REPORT WRONGDOING poster at https://bit.ly/4iDH32p.That poster encourages anyone to report: Crimes and violations of rules/regulations. Mismanagement or a […]
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