Case Study
Client
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), whose mission is to provide veterans the world-class benefits and services they have earned – and to do so by adhering to the highest standards of compassion, commitment, excellence, professionalism, integrity, accountability, and stewardship.
Project Overview & Objectives
The VA needed support to design and develop an automated system for processing newly added Agent Orange presumptive disability claim conditions. The project developed web-enabled, machine-readable claims forms that enable claimants to electronically download and, at the claimant’s option, electronically submit complete claims for service. The project also designed and developed the supporting processing system, which is comprised of software and hardware components based on a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), to process the claims.
Our Involvement
Synaptitude resources performed in multiple roles on this project. We managed the team responsible for the procurement, installation, compliance configuration, security hardening and administration of all hardware and software needed for the project’s development, testing and production environments. This was deployed in a secure remote facility, meeting the requirements of the VA. Other responsibilities included managing the creation of a secure network connection with the VA sites, a secure network connection with the outsourced Help Desk facility, the procurement and deployment of the public website domain and the related security certificates, the deployment and operation of the backup system and strategy, and supporting the periodic deployment of code releases to the platform.
Synaptitude also contributed to the technical development of the custom front-end website for the Fast Track Claims Processing system, specifically in the Java portal that allows Veterans and medical professionals to create and submit claims that is then processed by the packaged software behind the portal. This effort included all phases of the development lifecycle, and was delivered on schedule.
Synaptitude currently performs Operations Management of the production system. Responsibilities include the management of all operational and development account access to the various environments, maintenance of hardware and software updates and patches, troubleshooting system errors and fault tickets, reporting system performance metrics, maintaining security controls and required audits, completing system backups, maintenance and procurement of licenses, and the support of the development of future system enhancements.
Results and Benefits
The Fast Track Claims Processing System went live in November, 2010. Through January 2011, over 33,000 claims have been granted based on the new presumptive AO conditions, which include the Fast Track claims. The Fast Track System now provides easy access for Veterans, medical professionals, and VA employees to enter, document, and manage Fast Track claims.