Recruiters are targeting veterans to use rehab facilities, often offering incentives and misrepresenting the services available. Image: Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock.com
The inspector general’s office at the VA is asking the department’s employees to help identify scams involving outside treatment of veterans, the latest of several such recent requests.
The IG said it “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 are targeting veterans to use these facilities, often offering incentives and misrepresenting the services available.”
“The facilities then excessively bill VA for unnecessary or unrendered treatment, despite providing little or no care to these vulnerable individuals,” says the notice, adding that “VA personnel can help by identifying and reporting these scams.”
The IG pointed to a site where it posts information about “common signs that VA personnel, contractors, and the veteran community should be aware of in order to report suspicious activity and alleged wrongdoing to the OIG hotline.”
The office earlier this year similarly asked for VA employees’ help in investigating theft of funds by individuals who have been appointed to help veterans and other beneficiaries unable to manage their financial affairs. A year ago, it had asked for such help regarding outside entities that charge veterans high fees for assisting in the filing of benefits claims.
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