Audit finds VA using ‘ghost panels’ without primary care physicians

More than 2,300 patients at the Iowa City (Iowa) Veterans Affairs Health Care System and the VA Black Hills Health Care System in Fort Meade, S.D., were assigned to “ghost panels,” whose primary care physicians no longer worked with the system, according to a federal audit. 

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The audit, conducted by the VA Office of Inspector General, found two ghost panels at each of the VA systems. However, the report did not find a negative impact on patients because both facilities ensured patients assigned to the ghost panels had ongoing care. 

The audit was conducted following a request by Rep. Timothy Walz (D-Minn.) to investigate if ghost panels existed in the VA system. In light of its findings, the OIG recommended the VA ensure its patients are redistributed when primary care providers resign and continually monitor its compliance. 

 

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