Why did the VA change from a working system of applying for medical appointment travel to this BTSSS?

1SG Robert J. Galloway — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 09:46:39 -0400

Every time I apply fore travel pay through BTSSS, it takes over 6 months to get payment. Most of the time I have to call to get the system moving. It never works the way it was intended. Even the IG was involved, but nothing ever happened to get the system working right. It has been broken ever since it was started.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Oct 24 at 2023 10:55 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 10:55:32 -0400

Hey Top, lots of things are broken with the VA. I live in Denmark. After the VA went to their new security system, I can no longer log in with "Log-in DCMC". Their system requires a phone number, but their system does not support all international numbers. There is a fail in the DCMC system and they will not fix it. I can log in to Social Security site, I can log in to my U.S. bank, but DCMC will not fix their system. It took me 6 months to get to access my VA account. It wasn't until I got my Idaho Congressman involved, I finally got ID. Me to get logged in. The man with ID had to do a visual conference. I am not surprised about the travel pay. They knew there was a fail in the system when they put it in place. If you or I had done our jobs the way DCMC does their job, we would have been standing a courts martial.

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Oct 24 at 2023 11:44 AM

MSG Thomas Currie — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 11:44:37 -0400

Because they paid an outside contractor to develop an automated system, the contractor delivered absolute garbage but that garbage fit the Statement Of Work in the contract so they had to pay for it. Having paid for it they couldn't admit that it didn't work, but instead needed to adopt it so the bosses who managed the contract could get awards and bonuses for the great success.

But the problems you are encountering are probably not from BTSSS. Yes, BTSSS is a pain, and yes the website is frequently not working at all, but if you are able to put in the claim and then find that it takes forever to get paid, THAT PROBLEM is you servicing travel office!!

Once the claim is submitted in BTSSS, the automated system is done with it, the claim just goes to your servicing travel office where they process it manually. All that BTSSS does is save the local travel office from having to type your information from the form into their computer and manually look up the mileage

By the way, BTSSS does a much better job of figuring mileage because it figures door-to-door while the travel office doing it manually would just figure city-to-city or ZIP-to-ZIP.

Response by SPC Stephanie Shetterly made Oct 24 at 2023 2:00 PM

SPC Stephanie Shetterly — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 14:00:45 -0400

I really liked using the kiosk for my travel expenses. It was convenient and I was getting reimbursed within 4-6 weeks automatically into my checking account. Now that I have moved closer to the VA Facility & the kiosk isn’t being used anymore, I just don’t even mess with it anymore. Even though it’s only 4 miles now it still adds up when I’m going to the Frailty Class twice a week plus appointments - it adds up! The gasoline is really high priced these days and in the city my gas mileage is pretty low.

Response by CW3 Debra Irby made Oct 24 at 2023 5:37 PM

CW3 Debra Irby — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 17:37:24 -0400

I so agree. I live on Maui and have to travel to Oahu for Medical. Lately I have just been paying for things myself because it is too difficult to deal with, though I do not really have the money. Being disabled, I don't always feel well enough to get the run around. It has become especially bad in the last few years.

Response by SMSgt Bob W. made Nov 11 at 2023 10:40 PM

SMSgt Bob W. — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 22:40:29 -0500

The VA should be dissolved, and Tricare form of insurance established to pay the service-connected disabilities to local doctors. Some Vets have to travel 100+ miles to get a VA medical facility. Local specialist are cheaper, provide equal to better care, and your family is not having to lose time traveling with you.