Purchases of Smartphones and Tablets for Veterans’ Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Review · Department of Veterans Affairs OIG · 2022-05-04 · about Department of Veterans Affairs
Report
Title
Purchases of Smartphones and Tablets for Veterans’ Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Submitting OIG
Department of Veterans Affairs OIG
Component agency
Department of Veterans Affairs
Type
Review
Publication date
2022-05-04
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated efforts by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to expand veteran access to telehealth. Accordingly, VHA’s Connected Care Office created a new digital divide consult to issue iPhones to veterans experiencing homelessness who were enrolled in the Department of Housing and Urban Development VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program. VHA was already loaning iPads to other veterans who lacked telehealth capable devices through the digital divide consult process.
Recommendations (2)
#
Status
Text
1
Closed
Establish a realistic goal for days in storage along with a process for closely monitoring days in storage and taking corrective actions when the goal is not met.
2
Closed
Perform a cost-benefit analysis in conjunction with VA contracting officials and the contractor to determine whether a new process can be implemented that initiates the data plan when a device is issued to the veteran or otherwise reduces unused plan…