JON TESTER sega Eo Wnited States Senate mos November 6, 2015 The Honorable Robert A. McDonald Secretary of Veterans Affairs Department of Veterans Affairs 801 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20420 Dear Secretary McDonald: I write to raise an issue of critical importance to our rural veteran population — travel pay reimbursement, and urge you to make the changes necessary to expeditiously reimburse veterans traveling to a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility for care. As you know, previously any veteran who traveled to a VA health facility for care was reimbursed in cash that same day. However, I understand that the Department of Treasury recently changed the reimbursement policy for Federal agencies in order to address problems with fraudulent claims and misused funds, as well as concems over the safety, security, and reliability of payments. This new policy requires that the VA reimburse veterans for travel payments only by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). Under the new poliey, veterans have two options for payment reimbursement: 1) veterans with a checking account who can accept direct deposits can choose to have their reimbursement deposited within 3 business days of submitting their travel voucher, or 2) veterans without the option of direct deposit can receive a check in the mail in up to 10 business days, depending on how long it takes to mail it from the VA processing center to their home address, However, despite the good intention behind this change, it has led to many problems, particularly for veterans in rural areas, those who live paycheck-to-paycheck, or those who do not use bank accounts. These veterans are put at a severe disadvantage. Many veterans in Montana cannot afford to drive back home without an immediate reimbursement, let alone wait up to10 business days or more to be reimbursed. This is a particular concem of mine, as some veterans in Montana have had to wait up to five weeks to be reimbursed for travel expenses. And as a result of these delayed payments, some veterans simply do not seek care. If there are ‘eterans who choose not to receive treatment and care at a VA facility because they can’t afford to travel there, then we have a real problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible, Bure ucnowe Great Fass Hevena (400) 723-2277 (406 365-2201 1408) 452-068 (06) 49-5401 Bu Mssou (405) 252-0550 (40) 728-2008understand there is a new program to process payments electronically that is currently being developed. I am hopeful this software can be finalized and implemented as soon as possible. As soon as this system is operational, itis crucial that it be deployed nationwide, Until that system is in place however, it is of the upmost importance that payment reimbursements are not delayed. Specifically, I would like the answer to the following questions: * Have funding issues delayed development and deployment to an automated payment reimbursement system? «To what extent is inefficient staffing contributing to this backlog? * What is the current backlog of travel pay reimbursement claims? Is this a significant number? * Do you foresee additional funding issues contributing to delays with the automated payment reimbursement system? When do you expect the new policy to be fully implemented? Will it be a system-wide implementation or will it be done incrementally in test markets? ‘Is there anything Congress can do to expedite development and deployment of the new program? appreciate your consideration of this matter, and hope the VA can move quickly to address these issues. 1 look forward to working with you and I appreciate your consideration of this request. Sincerely, Jon Tester