Arkansas health care provider are hoping a conversation they've started with staff members of U.S. Sen. John Boozman will help speed up the payment of thousands of outstanding reimbursement claims for medical care provided to military veterans.
Boozman's staff met Wednesday in North Little Rock with representatives of health care facilities, physician advocacy groups and veteran's liaisons to address what they say is a growing problem in Arkansas - that of unpaid medical bills of veterans.
An informal survey this week found that 35 medical centers in Arkansas that have complained about unpaid bills reported 4,400 outstanding claims worth more than $25 million.
Federal VA staff says new timeliness requirements under legislation passed last year is being implemented to speed up the reimbursement payments.
