Noteboom The Law Firm

James Haley VA Not Paying for Veterans Care Associated with Fee Basis Program

The James A. Haley Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center recently began offering a program in which Haley will pay for medical care for veterans needing treatment when the Haley VA is either too busy to perform it or doesn't offer it in the first place. The program made no distinction whether the person seeking the outside treatment needed to be a veteran with disability or not but, according to an article on Tampa Bay.com, some veterans are claiming Haley refused to pay for outside treatment they received.

During 2011, Haley's budget deficit was $47.5 million, but officials say the "fee basis program" as well as general patient care was "unaffected." Veterans have support backed by their claims that budget cuts did affect the fee basis program.

Multiple veterans have complained how medical procedures for which they had been pre-approved through the program were cancelled. The cancelled procedures ranged from post-surgery follow-up appointments to surgeries themselves. One veteran complained his bill wasn't paid following a 3-day stay in a hospital.

In addition, a document alleged to be an internal memo from Haley shows just how budget cuts did affect the program. When pressed for an answer, Haley officials wouldn't speak on the "finances of its fee basis program." Neither would they address whether "spending restrictions" were removed as of the new budget year, which started October 1, 2011.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.