#Middlebury #Telehealth #ATLAS
VETERANS POST
By Freddy Groves
In an effort to get health care to veterans in communities that are medically underserved, the Department of Veterans Affairs is proposing to get rid of copayments for telehealth services. Additionally, it wants to create a grant program for VA telehealth access points in places that are not VA facilities.
The plan for the grant program, called ATLAS (Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations), is to provide locations where veterans can access their telehealth remotely in a place with high speed internet and privacy.
Telehealth can be accessed in several ways:
From home, using your computer or mobile device. By using the VA Video Connect app, you can have a video visit with your doctor, and your caregiver can be included if VA staff do an “invite” via the Caregiver Connect option. Use telehealth to send your data and vital signs to your doctor. (No “white coat syndrome” to make your BP go up if you’re sitting at home.)
If you need a specialist (there are 50 types), you can connect with them via telehealth video while at any VA clinic location. While you’re talking to the specialist, your regular primary care doctor can listen in. Mental health care is available this way as well.
If you’re in the hospital, telehealth can be used to hook up your provider with specialists at other locations so they can come up with a plan for your care.
If you’ve never used the VA telehealth services, see telehealth.va.gov for all the info you need.
To download the mobile app, see mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect.
To find ATLAS locations near you, go to telehealth.va.gov/atlas.
If you don’t have internet or any internet-connected devices, you might be eligible for help. Several companies, such as AT&T and others, will let you avoid data charges when doing video connections for telehealth. Check out mobile.va.gov/cellular-data-program for info. To see if you qualify for help getting a device, contact Lifeline (lifelinesupport.org) at 800-234-9473 to ask about subsidies.
Whatever you need from the VA, the best first number to call is 800-698-2411. They’re available 24/7/365 for veterans, caregivers, survivors and families.
© 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
