A report from the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General confirms that while 80% of mental health appointments in the Community Care Program meet the 30-day requirement, the system often fails to meet its seven-day scheduling goal. Inspectors reviewed data from 133 medical systems and found that only five facilities successfully hit the seven-day mark for scheduling. This creates a hurdle for veterans who require timely access to care.
The investigation highlights specific inefficiencies in how referrals are processed. Staff frequently rely on outdated communication methods like phone calls and postal mail to coordinate care. Additional barriers include limited provider availability and difficulty in reaching private sector partners. When a referral fails to meet the 30-day standard, the average wait time jumps to 56 days.
Larry Reinkemeyer, assistant inspector general for audits and evaluation, notes that delays in these consults increase risk for vulnerable veterans. The Veterans Health Administration is currently undergoing a structural reorganization to streamline these processes. Part of this effort involves the creation of a Community Care Hub intended to improve tracking and standardization of referrals.
VA officials state they are actively addressing these findings by adjusting contractor agreements and reviewing best practices for patient communication. They intend to use new Community Care Network contracts to improve overall performance. The department confirms it is working with contractors and providers to identify and close these gaps in service delivery as they continue the agency-wide restructuring.