14.3: Enrollment Data
Improve VA’s health care enrollment data system Other Information:
VA developed a temporary system three years ago in response to their new enrollment requirement. Currently, the Department
is implementing a redesigned health care enrollment database and has initiated a process to develop a One-VA Registration
and Eligibility System. However, these new efforts are in the early stages. DoD has offered in the past to provide the Defense
Enrollment/Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) software solution to VA or to incorporate VA beneficiaries and data requirements
into DEERS. VA should consider the feasibility of using DEERS as an enrollment system for health care and the other benefits
available to veterans. — Improving VA’s Registration and Eligibility system and the Veterans Health Administration’s Enrollment
system are the first steps toward having one integrated system for all beneficiaries. For over 20 years the DoD has operated
a centralized automated system to enroll and track individuals having entitlements to DoD benefits and services. DEERS, is
a large database that accurately records the benefits eligibility information for over 20 million beneficiaries in multiple
government agencies and could be expanded to include VA. DEERS is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between the two Departments,
and already supports a modest level of data sharing. Starting in November of 2000, DoD implemented a real-time exchange of
information on veterans from DEERS. This information exchange sets the stage for even closer cooperation. — The transition
from active-duty to veteran status involves the veteran enrolling at a VA regional office for benefits and his local VA medical
center for health care. An active-duty member on one day is in a system that tracks all his data, and on the next he is separated
and must report and document his information to VA in order to obtain VA benefits and services, despite the fact that most
of it is electronically stored in the DoD system. In addition to the current lack of full DoD/VA interface, duplicative information
must be collected and entered into separate enrollment systems at VA each time a veteran applies for different benefits such
as home loan guarantees, disability compensation, education, vocational rehabilitation, and health care. Transition should
be seamless from the veteran’s perspective and could be made seamless through data sharing between VA and DoD, as well as
within VA.
Indicator(s):
|
