Gardner Welcomes VA Community Call Center to Improve Choice Program
Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) released the statement below after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it set up a Community Care Call Center to help veterans address billing issues with the Choice Program. The Choice Program is responsible for incorrectly billing veterans, which has led to debt collection and affected credit scores. Veterans who are experiencing payment issues associated with the Choice Program can contact 1-877-881-7618 to reach the Community Care Call Center.
“It is unacceptable that veterans’ credit scores have been affected due to negligence at the VA. I have heard from too many Colorado veterans and health care providers who are experiencing issues with the Choice Program’s billing practices and continue to meet roadblocks along the way,” said Gardner. “I am pleased the VA has acted to address its poorly implemented Choice Program that has negatively impacted the very people it was designed to help. While the call center is a step in the right direction, it is not nearly enough. It’s time for the VA to get its act together. I’ll continue to fight for our veterans who deserve nothing but the best possible health care our country has to offer.”Gardner has pressed for VA accountability since before his time in the Senate. Recently, he spoke out against the VA’s poor implementation of the Choice Program. In February, Gardner sent a letter to VA Secretary Robert McDonald demanding answers from the VA after receiving a number of complaints about the VA’s failure to reimburse medical providers for their services to veterans in a timely manner
