U.S. Sen. Clair McCaskill (D-Mo.) said the medical claims of six veterans in the Theodosia, Mo., area were resolved after her office stepped in to help.
The senator said her office worked to help resolve the claims, which Veterans Affairs-backed insurance provider Tri-West Healthcare Alliance had not paid, after hearing about veteran Gary Pearman's medical bill from the Theodosia Family Medical Clinic — a provider through the Veterans Choice Program. Sen. McCaskill's office stated they worked with the clinic and insurance provider and was able to help sort out the billing discrepancies and missing claims that resulted in unpaid claims for Mr. Pearman and five other veterans.
"Ensuring the men and women who fought for this country get access to the high quality medical care and services they deserve is one of the most important parts of my job," Sen. McCaskill, the daughter of a World War II veteran and senior member of the Armed Services Committee, said in a statement. "As we continue working with the VA to improve the Veterans Choice Program — to ensure Missouri veterans can access the care they need close to home — I'm grateful to Mr. Pearman for bringing this issue to our attention, not only to resolve his own claim but to help bring broader changes to the program that have helped others in the community."
In working on Mr. Pearman's case, it was discovered that five other veterans who received care at Theodosia Family Medical Clinic also had a combined 22 unpaid claims, according to the senator's office.
Tri-West now plans to provide coaching to local clinics on the claims process to help ensure similar issues will not arise in the future, according to the senator.