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MAINE VETERANS GET RELIEF FROM SURPRISE VA
DRUG FEES -- VA says it will not collect
"missing"
drug co-pays it discovered earlier this year.
Background on this story is here...
http://www.vawatchdog.org/07/
nf07/nfJUN07/nf060207-5.htm
Story here...
http://pressherald.maine
today.com/story.php?id=13
3577&ac=PHnws
Story below:
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Veterans get relief from surprise drug fees
A computer error at Togus caused 3,000 Maine
veterans to be billed an average of $250 for medications.
By ELBERT AULL Staff Writer
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will waive or refund $750,000 in
backdated fees that were sprung on thousands of Mainers after officials
discovered a billing blunder earlier this year.
VA Secretary R. James Nicholson announced his decision in a letter to
members of Maine's congressional delegation on Tuesday.
His decision was a response to an outcry from the full delegation after
members learned that a computer glitch had triggered the billing
mistakes. They said the mistake at the VA Medical Center at Togus put
veterans in an unfair financial bind when officials tried to recoup the
outstanding fees all at once.
"I am pleased that the Secretary recognized the unfairness of the
situation and acted accordingly," said Rep. Michael Michaud in a
prepared statement. Michaud is a member of the House Veterans' Affairs
Committee.
Nicholson's decision affects Maine veterans who received bills this
spring for prescription drug charges dating to February 2006.
The collection effort began when officials at Togus discovered that a
software error had omitted pharmacy co-payments from invoices.
The mistake affected 3,000 Maine veterans, who received bills that
averaged $250.
Some, like 80-year-old World War II and Korean War veteran George Dulac,
were shocked to find notices for far more.
Dulac owed $792. He said he "almost had a heart attack" when he checked
the mailbox at his home in Scarborough on May 29 and found the notice.
Dulac said Nicholson made the right choice when he decided to waive the
surprise bills. He takes 15 medications a day and pays $8 every time he
needs a prescription filled.
"I'm retired and I live on a fixed income. I know they could've
collected it if they wanted to," Dulac said.
The affected veterans do not need to apply for refunds or bill
cancellation.
Those who paid the backdated charges will receive refund checks in the
mail, said Ryan Lilly, associate director at Togus.
Those who did not pay will receive letters voiding the earlier charges,
Lilly said.
Staff Writer Elbert Aull can be contacted at 791-6325 or at:
eaull@pressherald.com
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Larry Scott --
