VA to offer tele-emergency care nationwide to improve access

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is making tele-emergency care available nationwide to improve fast access to virtual emergency care for those enrolled in VA health care.

The expansion of care, which was tested in recent months, has shown promise for veterans, helping more than 61,182 callers with a 59.4% case resolution rate. That means veterans' needs were resolved without having to go to urgent care or a hospital emergency room.

"Veterans can now be evaluated for possible emergencies from the comfort of their home,"  VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal said Thursday. "Sometimes, you’re not sure whether what you’re experiencing is a minor emergency or not – and tele-emergency care can help you resolve those questions. Veterans can get immediate, virtual triage with a VA medical provider who has direct access to their medical records. This avoids having to potentially drive to the nearest emergency department and wait to be evaluated, if appropriate."

Tele-emergency care is part of VA Health Connect, a national phone service for veterans. Veterans who contact VA Health Connect will speak to a clinical triage nurse, who will connect them to tele-emergency care when clinically appropriate. Providers will then evaluate the veteran over the phone or on video and recommend treatment or follow-up, including if in-person care is needed.

In life-threatening emergencies, the clinical triage nurse will call 911 and stay on the line until help arrives. It is important to note veterans experiencing a life-threatening emergency should immediately contact 911, versus seeking support via tele-EC.

About 740,000 veterans have enrolled in VA health care in the past two years.