Use of VA telehealth rose substantially in 2019

Use of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) telehealth services is on the rise, the department announced last month. More than 900,000 veterans used the services in fiscal year 2019, a 17% increase from the previous year. The increase came after the first full year of the VA’s Anywhere to Anywhere initiative, which allows veterans to access telehealth services from any location. “VA is committed to offering veterans the health care they deserve, whenever and wherever they need it,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. More than 99,000 veterans used the VA Video Connect app to connect with providers from home, and veterans can now access care through the VA’s recently launched Accessing Telehealth Through Local Area Stations program, which offers video appointments with VA providers at selected Walmart stores and American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts. (AHA Today story, 11/26/19)