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Electronic Health Record Modernization

VA Central Ohio Healthcare System and its community-based outpatient clinics transitioned to a new electronic health record (EHR) on April 30, 2022. This is a Veteran-centric approach that will better support service members as they transition from military service to Veteran status.

If you’re a Veteran or family member who receives health care or direct benefit payments from VA and have changed your legal name, you must update your new name with the Department of Defense (DOD) and with VA before the transition.  

Updating your Legal Name with DOD

To update your legal name in DOD’s Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), you need to send a written or faxed request to the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) and include the following information:

  1. Cover sheet/letter that includes:
    1. Your full SSN
    2. Brief statement of the name change and why the change is needed
    3. Signature and return phone number
  1. Copies of two of the following documents:
    1. Social security card
    2. Unexpired passport
    3. Marriage certificate
    4. Certificate of divorce

All of this information needs to be either faxed to 800-336-4416 or mailed to:

Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office
400 Gigling Road
Seaside, CA 93955-6771

If you have questions, you can also call the DMDC at 800-538-9552 (TTY: 866-363-2883), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET (closed on federal holidays). Additional information can be found here: How Do I Change My Name In My DEERS Record? | Veterans Affairs (va.gov).

Updating your Legal Name with VA

To update your legal name with VA for health care, you will need to mail or deliver documents to the Eligibility Office at your local VA medical center. Please note that you will also need to provide confirmation on any name changes with each VA program office that you receive direct benefit payments from, including disability, education and training, home loans or housing assistance, life insurance and pension.

You can find detailed instructions on changing your name here: How To Change Your Legal Name On File With VA | Veterans Affairs. You can also call the eligibility department at Columbus VA at 614-257-5608 if you need additional assistance or have any questions.

What is Electronic Health Record Modernization?

Providing quality health care for Veterans is one of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA’s) highest priorities. VA established the Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration Office (EHRMIO) to oversee the implementation of the same EHR that is being deployed by the Department of Defense (DoD). 

Three major components of EHRM

  1.  Implement a new EHR solution that is interoperable with DOD and community care providers, enabling the seamless sharing of records from active duty and beyond. 
  2.  Provide Veterans and clinicians with a complete picture of patients’ medical history, driving connections between military service and health outcomes through data analytics.
  3.  Offer an improved and consistent patient scheduling experience at VA medical facilities and community care partners nationwide.

How do Veterans access it?

  • The new My VA Health patient portal is also accessible through My HealtheVet and VA.gov. To access My VA Health, you can sign in with any of these three accounts:

    1.  Premium DS Logon account

    2.  Premium My HealtheVet account

    3.  A verified ID.me account. 

Fact sheets to download

  • Download EHRM Fact Sheets

  • EHRM Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • National VA EHRM IO website

  • Electronic Health Record Modernization Video

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