| Description |
1 online resource (iii, 58 pages) : color illustrations, map |
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text txt rdacontent |
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computer c rdamedia |
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online resource cr rdacarrier |
| Note |
"February 2024." |
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"GAO-24-106267." |
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In scope of the U.S. Government Publishing Office Catalog and Indexing Program (C&I) and Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references. |
| Contents |
Background -- Average days to initial behavioral health care appointments were generally within timeliness standard at MTFs, but fell just outside for civilian providers -- Staffing challenges affected behavioral health care appointment availability at selected MFTs, MTFs and DHA have taken steps to mitigate -- DHA oversees behavioral health care timeliness, but does not separately monitor appointments after urgent referrals to civilian providers -- Conclusions -- Recommendations for executive action -- Agency comments and our evaluation -- Appendices. |
| Summary |
Military service may carry a psychological cost for active-duty service members. Recent research has shown a fourfold increase in behavioral health conditions for this population. If left untreated, such conditions can affect deployment readiness, among other negative consequences. This report (1) describes DHA data on average days to outpatient specialty behavioral health care appointments for active-duty service members in fiscal year 2022; (2) describes challenges to availability for these appointments at selected MTFs and steps taken to mitigate those challenges; and (3) examines relevant DHA oversight efforts. GAO is making two recommendations: 1) that DHA establish a time frame within which service members should receive behavioral health care specific to urgent referrals to TRICARE's civilian network providers and 2) that DHA monitor performance against the time frame and take corrective actions as appropriate. |
| Note |
Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (GAO, viewed February 8, 2024). |
| Subject |
United States. Defense Health Agency -- Management.
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Soldiers -- Mental health services -- United States.
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United States -- Armed Forces -- Medical care -- Data processing.
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Health services accessibility -- United States.
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Military hospitals -- United States -- Management.
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Services de santé -- Accessibilité -- États-Unis.
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| Added Author |
United States. Congress. House. Committee on Armed Services, sponsoring body.
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| Added Title |
Defense health care: Department of Defense should monitor urgent referrals to civilian behavioral health providers to ensure timely care |
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DOD should monitor urgent referrals to civilian behavioral health providers to ensure timely care |
| Running Title |
GAO-24-106267 Defense health care |
| Gpo Item No. |
0546-D (online) |
| Sudoc No. |
GA 1.13:GAO-24-106267 |
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