Hospitals and providers in New Hampshire claim the Department of Veterans Affairs has failed to pay them promptly for care provided to veterans, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader.
If veterans live too far from a VA hospital, face long wait times or need more specialized care than a VA hospital can offer, non-VA providers that are part of the Community Care Network can treat veterans with VA insurance. The VA reimburses hospitals and providers for care given in these situations.
However, at least a dozen hospitals and providers in New Hampshire have complained about delayed payments from the VA, according to Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who expressed concern about the late payments in a letter to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie.
One hospital executive in New Hampshire projects the delays are holding up about $130 million in payments to hospitals and providers in the state, according to the report. The VA is working through a backlog of claims stemming from issues the agency had with its previous contractor, Health Net.
Kristin Pressly, a spokesperson for the Manchester VA, told the New Hampshire Union Leader that the "VA had issues with Health Net, which is why we no longer do business with them." Ms. Pressly said the new contractor is meeting timelessness requirements. Health Net did not respond to the publication's request for comment.