Thursday, August 29, 2013

Suspended and Unlicensed VA Physicians Receive Pay Bonuses



One physician practiced with an expired license for three months, but still received more than $7,600 in performance pay -- despite being “reprimanded” by his employer -- because having a current license was “not a factor that was considered” in determining whether to make the payment. Another provider repeatedly refused to see patients in the emergency room because he believed they were falsely admitted. That doctor failed on 12 of his 13 performance goals, but still received more than $7,500 in performance pay.

GAO found one VHA radiologist “failed to read mammograms and other complex images competently,” but still received more than $8,000 in incentivized pay. A VHA surgeon left a surgery during the procedure and allowed his residents to continue unsupervised. The doctor was suspended for 14 days without pay, but still received more than $11,000 in performance pay.

Yet another physician received a three-day suspension for not responding when on call and creating “an atmosphere of fear and poor morale” through outbursts of yelling. The doctor received a performance payment of more than $10,000.

Continue Learning:  http://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2013/08/suspended-and-unlicensed-va-physicians-receive-pay-bonuses/69320/?oref=dropdown

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