Key Issues > Continuity of Health Care from DOD to VA
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Continuity of Health Care from DOD to VA

Many servicemembers that separate from military service will seek medical care from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)—especially those who have sustained serious wounds, illnesses, or injuries while on active duty.

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While the Department of Defense (DOD) and VA recognize the importance of providing a seamless transition from DOD’s health care system to VA’s health care system, numerous barriers prevent effective and efficient transitions, especially for servicemembers who have experienced serious wounds, illnesses, or injuries. GAO has reported that:

  • VA and DOD have faced barriers and made limited progress toward developing joint electronic health record capabilities that could improve veterans’ health care.
  • DOD’s and VA’s efforts are limited in terms of their ability to ensure that all servicemembers have the necessary help to manage their medications during transitions of care.
  • Logistical, and other challenges—such as a lack of awareness—may hinder veterans from receiving VA mental health services.
  • DOD and VA have not integrated and aligned the numerous care coordination and case management programs that assist seriously wounded, ill, and injured servicemembers and veterans during their transition from DOD’s to VA’s health care system.
  • The VA/DOD Joint Executive Council assumed responsibility for addressing many of the key challenges that impact transitioning servicemembers, but it remains unclear how the Council, which has traditionally focused on long-term joint strategic planning issues, will provide the consistent and effective policymaking, oversight, and accountability needed to resolve major problems.
Looking for our recommendations? Click on any report to find each associated recommendation and its current implementation status.

Recovering Servicemembers and Veterans

Sustained Leadership Attention and Systematic Oversight Needed to Resolve Persistent Problems Affecting Care and Benefits
GAO-13-5, Nov 16, 2012

DOD and VA Health Care

Medication Needs during Transitions May Not Be Managed for All Servicemembers
GAO-13-26, Nov 2, 2012

VA Mental Health

Number of Veterans Receiving Care, Barriers Faced, and Efforts to Increase Access
GAO-12-12, Oct 14, 2011

DOD and VA Health Care

Action Needed to Strengthen Integration across Care Coordination and Case Management Programs
GAO-12-129T, Oct 6, 2011

Electronic Health Records

DOD and VA Should Remove Barriers and Improve Efforts to Meet Their Common System Needs
GAO-11-265, Feb 2, 2011

More Reports

Veterans' Employment and Training

Better Targeting, Coordinating, and Reporting Needed to Enhance Program Effectiveness
GAO-13-29, Dec 13, 2012

VA and DOD Health Care

Department-Level Actions Needed to Assess Collaboration Performance, Address Barriers, and Identify Opportunities
GAO-12-992, Sep 28, 2012

Veterans' Reemployment Rights

Department of Labor and Office of Special Counsel Need to Take Additional Steps to Ensure Demonstration Project Data Integrity
GAO-12-860R, Sep 10, 2012

Transportation-Disadvantaged Populations

Federal Coordination Efforts Could Be Further Strengthened
GAO-12-647, Jun 20, 2012

Arlington National Cemetery

Additional Actions Needed to Continue Improvements in Contract Management
GAO-12-99, Dec 15, 2011

Fraud Detection Systems

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Needs to Expand Efforts to Support Program Integrity Initiatives
GAO-12-292T, Dec 7, 2011

Indian Health Service

Continued Efforts Needed to Help Strengthen Response to Sexual Assaults and Domestic Violence
GAO-12-29, Oct 26, 2011

Federal Recovery Coordination Program

Enrollment, Staffing, and Care Coordination Pose Significant Challenges
GAO-11-572T, May 13, 2011

DOD and VA Health Care

Federal Recovery Coordination Program Continues to Expand but Faces Significant Challenges
GAO-11-250, Mar 23, 2011

Electronic Health Records

DOD and VA Interoperability Efforts Are Ongoing; Program Office Needs to Implement Recommended Improvements
GAO-10-332, Jan 28, 2010
More...
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