Telehealth
What is Telehealth?
VA uses telehealth technologies to provide easier access to care. Telehealth connects you with your VA care teams and specialists, no matter the distance. VA Telehealth can reduce travel and bring care closer to you through:
- Telephone
- Telehealth or Televisits
- Remote monitoring
- Mobile apps
Remote Patient Monitoring
Remote Monitoring, also called Home Telehealth, allows you to meet with VA providers virtually and send important health data from the comfort of your home, using your computer or mobile device.
Telehealth technologies can collect and send your health data, like vital signs, to your care team so they have the information they need to manage your care. Health data will not be collected without your informed consent.
How it works
- You are assessed for Home Telehealth remote monitoring services
- If deemed appropriate, VA provides a device to fit your needs and gives you training on how to use it
- VA assigns you a Home Telehealth remote monitoring care coordinator
- Your care coordinator contacts VA hospitals and providers and helps you arrange treatment changes, clinic appointments and hospital admissions
Telephone Visits
VA providers may contact you by telephone to give you information about test results, schedule and confirm appointments, and more. These telephone visits can be done with a home phone or on a mobile device.
VA Video Connect Visits
VA Video Connect (also called Telehealth) allows you to meet with your providers in a virtual medical room using the camera on a smartphone, computer or tablet. You and your provider work together to schedule online video appointments. You can even invite family members and caregivers to join the sessions.
Mobile Apps
VA Mobile aims to improve Veterans’ health by providing technologies that expand clinical care beyond the traditional office visit. VA Mobile develops apps that give both Veterans and VA care teams safe and secure mobile access to important health data – providing more opportunities for Veterans to be active participants in their health care. VA Mobile also features health care and wellness apps for caregivers and civilians.
VA Mobile is transforming the way VA care is delivered and improving coordination between Veterans and their care teams. VA Mobile is critical in connecting Veterans to care, and VA is dedicated to providing that connection through innovative apps that enhance Veterans’ care experiences. To access available apps, visit the VA App Store.
Find Out More
To find out more about Telehealth, visit www.telehealth.va.gov.
Am I eligible for Telehealth
Since Telehealth is part of the VHA Standard Medical Benefits Package, all enrolled Veterans are eligible Services may vary by location. Telehealth can be used in combination with other Home and Community Based Services. There is no copay for Telehealth services. However, there may be a copay charge when in-home video visits are provided in addition to standard Telehealth services.
What services can I get?
Telehealth services are based on your care needs. Remote Monitoring equipment may be used to track your:
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar level
- Pulse
- Weight
- Blood oxygen level
- Heart and lung sounds or
- Other chronic diseases
Telehealth can connect a Veteran to a VA hospital from home using regular telephone lines, cellular modems (these act as doors for transmission of information) and cell phones (using an interactive voice response system).
How do I decide if Telehealth is right for me?
You can use a Veteran Decision Aid for Care at Home or in the Community to help you figure out what home care services or long term care services may best meet your needs now or in the future.
There's also a Caregiver Self-Assessment. It can help your caregiver identify their own needs and decide how much support they can offer to you. Having this information from your caregiver, along with the involvement of your care team and social worker, will help you reach short-term and long-term care decisions.
Ask your social worker for these resources or download copies from the Making Decisions page at www.va.gov/Geriatrics.
If Telehealth services seem right for you, talk with a member of your care team and then a care coordinator can help you to arrange for services.
