All Reports

Audit of VHA’s Timeliness and Accuracy of Choice Payments Processed Through FBCS
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15-03036-47

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/21/2021
We recommended the Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration, develop and issue written payment policies to guide staff processing medical claims received from Third Party Administrators, as well as establish expectations and obligations for the Third Party Administrators that submit invoices for payment.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/31/2021
We recommended the Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration, ensure payment processing staff have access to documentation from the Third Party Administrators verifying amounts paid to providers to ensure the Third Party Administrators are not billing VA more than they paid the provider for medical claims.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/2/2021
We recommended the Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration, ensure Veterans Health Administration payment staff have access to accurate data regarding veterans’ other health insurance coverage and establish appropriate processes for collecting payments from these health insurers.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/31/2021
We recommended the Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration, ensure the new payment processing systems used for processing medical claims from Third Party Administrators have the ability to adjudicate reimbursement rates accurately and to ensure duplicate claims are not paid.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/4/2021
We recommended the Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration, ensure VA performs post-payment audits on a periodic basis to determine if payments made to Third Party Administrators for medical care are accurate.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/10/2020
We recommended the Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration, ensure that Office of Community Care staff and members of VA’s Office of General Counsel continue to work collaboratively with relevant Government authorities to review and determine an appropriate process for reimbursement.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/4/2019
We recommended the Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration, ensure the Veterans Health Administration has sufficient claims processing capacity to timely meet and process expected claim volume from the Third Party Administrators.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 9/11/2018
We recommended the Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration, ensure that future contracts with Third Party Administrators contain payment timeliness standards for the processing of claims from health care providers.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 39,000,000.00
Review of Alleged Mismanagement of VA’s Real Time Location System Project
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15-05447-383

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA),Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 2/1/2019
The OIG recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, apply additional resources and implement improved integrated project management controls for the remainder of the Real Time Location System project to restrict further cost increases.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA),Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 2/1/2019
The OIG recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology, enforce the use of incremental project management controls, such as those used within the Veteran-focused Integration Process, on all remaining Real Time Location System task orders to ensure such efforts will provide an adequate return on investment.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 7/16/2018
The OIG recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Information and Technology ensure that risk assessments are conducted on future Real Time Location System deployments to identify potential risks and vulnerabilities that may adversely affect other VA systems.
Audit of VHA’s Management of Primary Care Panels
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15-03364-380

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/30/2020
The OIG recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Health establish standardized primary care scheduling processes that provide newly enrolled veterans an opportunity to schedule an appointment at the time of enrollment.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/29/2018
The OIG recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Health establish metrics to monitor the time it takes facilities to offer scheduling for an initial primary care appointment, beginning with the date the veteran submits a completed enrollment form.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/15/2019
The OIG recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Health improve oversight by ensuring facilities set panel sizes consistent with VHA’s recommended model panel sizes, submit written justification for panel sizes that deviate from VHA’s model panel sizes for review and approval by VHA, or implement corrective action to mandate appropriate panel size.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 843,000,000.00
Review of VA's Reimbursements to the Treasury Judgment Fund
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17-00833-05

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of Management (OM)
Closure Date: 7/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and Acting Chief Financial Officer establish procedures to ensure VA reimburses the Treasury Judgment Fund within 45 business days of receipt of requests for reimbursement or establishes appropriate payment plans for claims paid pursuant to applicable law.
Review of Claims Processing Actions at Pension Management Centers
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15-04156-352

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 11/1/2017
We recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Benefits clarify the guidance for VA general medical examinations requirements related to original pension claims.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 5/30/2018
We recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Benefits ensure staff at the Pension Management Centers receive training based on the clarified guidance for VA medical general examination requirements related to original pension claims.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 9/21/2018
We recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Benefits ensure St. Paul claims processing staff review the 605 pension claims denied without a VA general medical examination in CY 2015 to determine whether corrective action is necessary based on clarified guidance and report to the OIG the number of denials reversed.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 4/3/2018
We recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Benefits develop and implement a plan to ensure rating consistency across Pension Management Centers.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 11/1/2017
We recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Benefits implement a plan to ensure claims processing staff prioritize actions for cases involving benefits reductions based on Medicaid-covered nursing home care to minimize improper payments.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 9/21/2018
We recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Benefits develop workload performance measures for cases involving benefits reductions based on Medicaid-covered nursing home care to minimize improper payments.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
Closure Date: 5/30/2018
We recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Benefits develop and implement training for claims processing staff that is specific to Medicaid-covered nursing home cases.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 41,400,000.00
Audit of Purchase Card Use To Procure Prosthetics
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15-04929-351

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/1/2018
We recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Health require Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service conduct periodic analyses of Veterans Health Administration prosthetic purchases to identify commonly used prosthetics that offer opportunities for VA’s Strategic Acquisition Center to leverage Veterans Health Administration’s purchasing power by pursuing Veterans Health Administration-wide or multi-Veterans Integrated Service Network contracts.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/24/2018
We recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Health require the Procurement and Logistics Office and Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service to periodically monitor prosthetic procurements to ensure Veterans Integrated Service Networks and Network Contracting Offices identify and report prosthetics usage and cost data for use in developing Veterans Integrated Service Network contracts when Veterans Health Administration wide or multi-Veterans Integrated Service Network contracts are not possible.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/8/2018
We recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Health require the Procurement and Logistics Office to review fiscal years 2015 and 2016 prosthetic purchase card transactions above the micro-purchase limit and submit identified unauthorized commitments to Heads of Contracting Activities for ratification actions.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 2/8/2018
We recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Health direct Heads of Contracting Activities to perform ratification actions for unauthorized commitments identified by the Procurement & Logistics Office review of fiscal years 2015 and 2016 prosthetic purchase card transactions above the micro-purchase limit and consider holding cardholders and their approving officials accountable for unauthorized commitments, as appropriate.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/24/2018
We recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Health require the Procurement and Logistics Office to develop a process for conducting periodic reviews to evaluate compliance with the requirements of VHA Directive 1081, VA Procurement Policy Memorandum 2016-02, and the Veterans Health Administration’s Memorandum, Implementation of the Implant Pre-authorization Process.
Total Monetary Impact of All Recommendations
Open: $ 0.00
Closed: $ 3,120,699,904.00
Review of Alleged Adverse Effect on Patient Care Due to Removal of a Computer-Assisted Survey Instrument
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16-00838-348

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Information and Technology (OIT)
Closure Date: 9/29/2017
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement appropriate controls to ensure that Class III software is not installed on VA networks without a formal technical review and authority to operate, and that training is provided to OIT Region 1 staff on the treatment of Class III software.
OIG Determination of VHA Occupational Staffing Shortages FY 2017
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17-00936-385
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Topics:  Staffing

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/19/2020
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health ensure that the Veterans Health Administration implements staffing models for critical need occupations.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/2/2018
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health review the Veterans Health Administration report on regrettable losses and implement effective measures to reduce such losses.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 8/19/2020
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health continue incorporating data that predict changes in veteran demand for health care into its staffing model.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/5/2019
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health continue assessing the Veterans Health Administration’s resources and expertise in developing staffing models and determine whether exploration of external options to develop the above staffing model is necessary.
Audit of the VHA's Health Care Enrollment Program at Medical Facilities
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16-00355-296

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 1/16/2020
We recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Health develop standardized national policy and procedures for the health care enrollment program at VA medical facilities.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/16/2019
We recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Health implement national oversight of the health care enrollment program to continually review operations and performance of VHA medical facilities.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/2/2019
We recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Health provide mandatory and standardized training on eligibility and enrollment to ensure health care applications are processed accurately and timely.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/20/2020
We recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Health develop and execute a process to distinguish new applications for health care enrollment in VistA from other registration data.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 10/20/2020
We recommended the Acting Under Secretary for Health implement a plan to correct current data integrity issues in VistA to improve the accuracy and timeliness of enrollment data.
Audit of VHA's Consolidated Patient Account Center Controls To Prevent Improper Billings for Service-Connected Conditions
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16-00589-264

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 3/27/2018
We recommended the Under Secretary for Health require Consolidated Patient Account Centers review a statistical sample of bills issued during fiscal years 2015 and 2016 for the treatment of service-connected veterans to identify erroneously billed amounts that require refunds, and use these results to address internal control deficiencies and assess what additional efforts can be taken to identify and refund erroneously billed amounts.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/6/2018
We recommended the Under Secretary for Health require Consolidated Patient Account Center management to provide billing staff read-only access to the Veterans Benefits Management System to identify potential service-connected bills that require review by Revenue Utilization Review nurses.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/6/2018
We recommended the Under Secretary for Health require Consolidated Patient Account Center management establish oversight procedures to review statistical samples of prescriptions prior to generating bills to veterans and to address any identified systemic or facility-specific billing problems.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 6/6/2018
We recommended the Under Secretary for Health require Consolidated Patient Account Center management to revise quality assurance reviews to include reviews of pharmacy bills and evaluate whether Revenue Utilization Review nurses correctly validate or make service-connection determinations for veterans’ medical treatment based upon staffing and workload.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/27/2017
We recommended the Under Secretary for Health require Consolidated Patient Account Center management to revise policy and procedure to require Consolidated Patient Account Center staff to adequately provide and document training for VA medical facility staff regarding specific service-connection determination errors.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/4/2018
We recommended the Under Secretary for Health require Consolidated Patient Account Center management to track and monitor incorrect medical provider service-connection determinations and coordinate training to ensure identified issues are appropriately addressed.
Review of VA’s Readiness To Implement the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act
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16-02454-250

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of Management (OM)
Closure Date: 8/8/2017
We recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and Acting Chief Financial Officer: Establish milestones to monitor VA’s system modernization efforts. Coordination with the shared service provider should continue to incorporate current and upcoming DATA Act requirements to ensure that they will be met going forward.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of Management (OM)
Closure Date: 8/8/2017
We recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and Acting Chief Financial Officer: Obtain procurement and grants management system capability that is integrated with the financial system as part of VA’s transition to a shared service provider to the extent feasible.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of Management (OM)
Closure Date: 8/8/2017
We recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and Acting Chief Financial Officer: Improve communication with, and accountability of, administrations and offices and their points of contact who are responsible for providing data and documentation. Accountability should include timely, complete, and accurate submissions to the Project Management Office.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of Management (OM)
Closure Date: 8/8/2017
We recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and Acting Chief Financial Officer: Continue working with the points of contact to ensure program information for all funds is submitted as required.
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of Management (OM)
Closure Date: 8/8/2017
We recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and Acting Chief Financial Officer: Identify internal controls and develop standard operating procedures for the processes used to obtain, extract, classify, and summarize data from VA’s financial and management systems to comply with the DATA Act schema.
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of Management (OM)
Closure Date: 8/8/2017
We recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and Acting Chief Financial Officer: In conjunction with VA’s component organizations, perform an assessment of how business, accounting, and payment processes interact with one another for the purpose of establishing relevant policies and procedures to improve VA’s data quality. This assessment should include VA’s subsidiary systems and their interface status with the general ledger system, that is Financial Management System.
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of Management (OM)
Closure Date: 8/8/2017
We recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and Acting Chief Financial Officer: Ensure complete reconciliations are performed between the subsidiary and general ledger systems. Differences should be researched and resolved to improve data quality.
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of Management (OM)
Closure Date: 8/8/2017
We recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and Acting Chief Financial Officer: Continue to work on minimizing the use of the Management Information Exchange to record journal vouchers that are not linked to obligation and expenditure data by object class or program activity, or devise a mechanism to track such information when recording Management Information Exchange journal vouchers.
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of Management (OM)
Closure Date: 8/8/2017
We recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and Acting Chief Financial Officer: Perform reconciliations between VA’s procurement systems (Electronic Contract Management System and Integrated Funds Distribution, Control Point Activity, Accounting and Procurement system) and Financial Management System to ensure consistency, accuracy, and completeness of financial and procurement data.
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of Management (OM)
Closure Date: 8/8/2017
We recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and Acting Chief Financial Officer: Provide resources for data storage capabilities to improve auditability of data. Specifically, VA should establish a data storage mechanism such as a shared drive to store data received from points of contact or developed internally by the Project Management Office. Such information should be secured, readily available for analysis and requests, validated, and auditable.
No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of Management (OM)
Closure Date: 8/8/2017
We recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and Acting Chief Financial Officer: Ensure proper segregation of duties between staff responsible for processing data for submission to the data broker and staff responsible for validating the accuracy and completeness of data prior to submission to the data broker.
No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of Management (OM)
Closure Date: 8/8/2017
We recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and Acting Chief Financial Officer: Provide necessary resources to the VA DATA Act Project Management Office to ensure that the office can coordinate the data inventory, mapping, and validation for the required DATA Act Schema data elements.
No. 13
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of Management (OM)
Closure Date: 8/8/2017
We recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and Acting Chief Financial Officer: Require administration points of contact to respond timely to Project Management Office data requests to ensure that the data elements can be inventoried, mapped, and validated and that gap analyses are performed thoroughly.
No. 14
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of Management (OM)
Closure Date: 8/8/2017
We recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and Acting Chief Financial Officer: Use the data inventory and mapping to support VA’s move to a shared service provider and ensure full compliance with the DATA Act.
No. 15
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of Management (OM)
Closure Date: 8/8/2017
In addition to recommendations made in Findings Number 1 and Number 2, we recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and Acting Chief Financial Officer: Establish procedures for data edits and validations to ensure that DATA Act submissionsare accurate and complete. At a minimum, management should selectively test internalcontrols related to the preparation of data submissions.
No. 16
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of Management (OM)
Closure Date: 8/8/2017
In addition to recommendations made in Findings Number 1 and Number 2, we recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and Acting Chief Financial Officer: Assess the impact of the internal control weaknesses, as reported by VA’s financialstatement audit, on DATA Act data, and develop alternative processes to address data quality issues.
No. 17
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Office of Management (OM)
Closure Date: 8/8/2017
In addition to recommendations made in Findings Number 1 and Number 2, we recommend that the Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and Acting Chief Financial Officer: Continue to maintain communication with the Office of Management and Budget andTreasury regarding VA’s data reporting limitations and progress, and document suchcommunication.
Healthcare Inspection - Opioid Prescribing to High-Risk Veterans Receiving VA Purchased Care
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17-01846-316

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/28/2017
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health require that all participating VA purchased care providers receive and review the evidence-based guidelines outlined in the Opioid Safety Initiative.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/28/2017
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health implement a process to ensure all purchased care consults for non-VA care include a complete up-to-date list of medications and medical history until a more permanent electronic record sharing solution can be implemented.
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 12/28/2017
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health require non-VA providers to submit opioid prescriptions directly to a VA pharmacy for dispensing and recording of the prescriptions in the patient’s VA electronic health record.
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 11/26/2019
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health ensure that if facility leaders determine that a non-VA provider’s opioid prescribing practices are in conflict with Opioid Safety Initiative guidelines, immediate action is taken to ensure the safety of all veterans receiving care from the non-VA provider.
Healthcare Inspection Review of VHA’s “Our Doctors” Website Accuracy
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16-01436-270

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 5/14/2018
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health ensure that the Veterans Health Administration develops and implements a policy defining the purpose, responsibilities, and requirements for credentials information on the Our Doctors website.
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 7/26/2018
We recommended that the Acting Under Secretary for Health ensure that the Veterans Health Administration develops and implements an oversight process for accuracy of the information posted on the Our Doctors website.
VA's Federal Information Security Modernization Act Audit for Fiscal Year 2016
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16-01949-248

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No. 1
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved processes to ensure all VA systems and devices are formally “Authorized to Operate” and system security controls are evaluated before allowing such systems to connect to VA’s general network or the Internet. (This is a new recommendation.)
No. 2
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology fully implement an agency-wide risk management governance structure, along with mechanisms to identify, monitor, and manage risks across the enterprise. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 3
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement mechanisms to ensure sufficient supporting documentation is captured to justify closure of Plans of Action and Milestones. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 4
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved processes to ensure that all identified weakness are incorporated into the Governance Risk and Compliance tool, in a timely manner, and corresponding Plans of Actions and Milestones are developed to track corrective actions and remediation. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 5
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement system enhancements to the Governance Risk and Compliance tool to prevent the automatic re-opening of closed Plans of Action and Milestones and such actions are updated to accurately reflect their current status. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 6
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability for developing, maintaining, completing, and reporting on Plans of Action and Milestones. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 7
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology develop mechanisms to ensure system security plans reflect current operational environments, including accurate system interconnections, boundary, control, and ownership information. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 8
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved processes for reviewing and updating key security documents such as risk assessments, privacy impact assessments, and security control assessments on an annual basis and ensure all required information accurately reflects the current environment. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 9
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement mechanisms to enforce VA password policies and standards on all operating systems, databases, applications, and network devices. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 10
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement periodic reviews to minimize access by system users with incompatible roles, permissions in excess of required functional responsibilities, and unauthorized accounts. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 11
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology enable system audit logs on all systems and platforms and conduct centralized reviews of security violations across the enterprise. (This is a modified repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 12
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology fully implement two-factor authentication for all network access methods throughout the agency. (This is a modified repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 13
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement more effective automated mechanisms to continuously identify and remediate security deficiencies on VA’s network infrastructure, database platforms, and Web application servers. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 14
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement a more effective patch and vulnerability management program to address security deficiencies identified during our assessments of VA’s Web applications, database platforms, network infrastructure, and workstations. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 15
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology maintain complete and accurate baseline configurations and ensure all baselines are appropriately implemented for compliance with established VA security standards. (This is a modified repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 16
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved network access controls to ensure medical devices and networks, not managed by OI&T, are appropriately segregated from general networks and mission-critical systems. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 17
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology consolidate the security responsibilities for networks, not managed by OI&T, under a common control for each site and ensure vulnerabilities are remediated in a timely manner. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 18
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved processes to ensure that all devices and platforms are evaluated using credentialed vulnerability assessments. (This is a new recommendation.)
No. 19
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved procedures to enforce a standardized system development and change control framework that integrates information security throughout the life cycle of each system. (This is a modified repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 20
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved processes to ensure information system contingency plans are updated with the required information. (This is a modified repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 21
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved processes for ensuring the encryption of backup data prior to transferring the data offsite for storage. (This is a modified repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 22
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved processes for the testing of contingency plans and failover capabilities for critical systems to ensure that all components can be recovered at an alternate site in the event of a system failure or disaster. (This is a modified repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 23
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology document a Business Impact Analysis for all systems and incorporate applicable Recovery Point Objectives for those systems. (This is a modified repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 24
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology identify all external network interconnections and implement improved processes for monitoring VA networks, systems, and connections for unauthorized activity. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 25
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement more effective agency-wide incident response procedures to ensure timely reporting, updating, and resolution of computer security incidents in accordance with VA standards. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 26
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology ensures that VA’s Network Security and Operations Center has full access of all security incident data to facilitate an agency-wide awareness of information security events. (This is a new recommendation.)
No. 27
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement improved safeguards to identify and prevent unauthorized vulnerability scans and data exfiltrations from VA networks. (This is a modified repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 28
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology fully develop a comprehensive list of approved and unapproved software and implement continuous monitoring processes to prevent the use of unauthorized software on agency devices. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 29
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology develop a comprehensive software inventory process to identify major and minor software applications used to support VA programs and operations. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 30
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement procedures for overseeing contractor-managed cloud-based systems and ensure information security controls adequately protect VA sensitive systems and data. (This is a repeat recommendation from prior years.)
No. 31
Closed and Implemented Recommendation Image, Checkmark
to Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
Closure Date: 4/11/2018
We recommended the Acting Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology implement mechanisms for updating systems inventory, including contractor-managed systems and interfaces, and provide this information in accordance with Federal reporting requirements. (This is a modified repeat recommendation from prior years.)
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