Federal Reports

The Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act of 2012, as implemented by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-123, Appendix B, requires the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to conduct periodic risk assessments of agency purchase and travel card programs. OIG conducts these assessments to identify and analyze the risk of illegal, improper, or erroneous purchases and payments and to determine the appropriate scope, frequency, and number of periodic audits of these programs.

To assess risk associated with the Department of State’s (Department) travel card program, OIG reviewed the Department’s FY 2024 travel card data and concluded that the risk of illegal, improper, or erroneous purchases and payments within the Department’s travel card program was “medium.” OIG based its conclusion on the travel card program’s size, internal controls, training, previous audits, and observations from OIG’s Office of Investigations (INV).  

Although OIG concluded that risk to the travel card program is “medium,” OIG plans to audit the Department’s travel card program during FY 2026. Therefore, OIG is not recommending that an audit of the Department’s travel card program be included in OIG’s FY 2027 work plan. OIG encourages Department officials to continue prudent oversight of the travel card program to ensure that internal controls intended to safeguard taxpayer funds are fully implemented and followed by Department travel card holders. 

The Government Charge Card Abuse Prevention Act of 2012, as implemented by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-123, Appendix B, requires the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to conduct periodic risk assessments of agency purchase and travel card programs. OIG conducts these assessments to identify and analyze the risk of illegal, improper, or erroneous purchases and payments and to determine the appropriate scope, frequency, and number of periodic audits of these programs.

To assess risk associated with the purchase card program at the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), OIG reviewed USAGM’s FY 2024 purchase card data and concluded that the risk of illegal, improper, or erroneous purchases and payments within the USAGM purchase card program was “low.” OIG based its conclusion on USAGM’s purchase card program size, internal controls, training, previous audits, and observations from OIG’s Office of Investigations (INV).

Because OIG concluded that risk to the purchase card program was “low,” OIG is not recommending that an audit of the USAGM purchase card program be included in OIG’s FY 2027 work plan. However, OIG encourages USAGM officials to continue prudent oversight of the purchase card program and ensure that internal controls intended to safeguard taxpayer funds are fully implemented and followed by USAGM purchase card holders. 

We determined that although RMA performs oversight, it does not have the information needed to evaluate whether AIPs and agents are offering all relevant insurance plans to producers which may leave some producers without adequate protection.

The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a healthcare inspection of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) National Teleradiology Program (NTP) to assess allegations that an NTP radiologist (radiologist) misread a patient’s imaging study and NTP delays reporting interpretation results at multiple facilities. The OIG evaluated NTP’s oversight of radiologists, timeliness in returning interpretation results, performance monitoring, and quality assurance.

NTP radiologists interpret radiologic imaging studies submitted by radiology technologists from VA facilities and electronically transmit the interpretation reports to the originating facility. The OIG determined NTP has processes to ensure radiology provider competency through credentialing and privileging, provider professional practice reviews, and peer reviews for quality management (peer review). The radiologist involved in the misread had no deficiencies noted in reviews, and documentation supported renewal of privileges. 

While NTP has processes for completion of peer reviews, the OIG identified conflicting guidance about who is responsible for conducting peer reviews, NTP or the facilities. This lack of clarity led to delays, including a peer review completed over nine months after the misread. 

The OIG substantiated delays in the return of stat imaging interpretation reports at two facilities. NTP policy requires a one-hour turnaround for stat studies, but the OIG found delays in nine of thirteen reviewed cases. The OIG determined NTP did not meet performance goals for turnaround and average times for imaging studies in fiscal year 2024. Although NTP leaders took corrective actions, including reducing routine study volume, increased collaboration with staff at facilities using NTP, and planning a system upgrade, challenges persisted. 

The OIG made five recommendations. As a result, the Acting Under Secretary for Health agreed to address NTP’s staffing shortage and ensure facilities have a contingency plan. The NTP Director committed to addressing completion of peer reviews, delayed turnaround times, and staffing shortages.