Tele-Emergency Care for Veterans Now Available Nationwide

The US Department of Veterans Affairs has announced nationwide availability of tele-emergency care (tele-EC), providing timely virtual emergency care options to veterans and improving access to world-class care. 

“This expansion of care—piloted in recent months—has already shown promise for veterans, helping more than 61 182 callers with a 59.4% case resolution rate (meaning veterans’ needs were resolved without having to travel from their homes to urgent care or an emergency department),” the VA shared in a press release. 

Veterans can access tele-emergency care through VA Health Connect, a nationwide phone service connecting them to clinical triage nurses who can evaluate and recommend treatment. In life-threatening emergencies, the nurse will call 911 for immediate assistance, emphasizing the importance of seeking support through emergency services. This expansion is part of VA and the Biden-Harris Administration's initiative to enhance veterans' access to quality care through tele-EC services available via phone or the VA Health Chat app.

VA’s tele-emergency care improves veterans' access to timely emergency care from VA clinicians, especially for those in rural areas or with transportation challenges. This initiative, along with other virtual care options, has helped VA increase veteran enrollment to nearly 740 000 over the past 2 years since the PACT Act was signed into law by President Biden.

Reference
VA makes tele-emergency care available nationwide, offering Veterans more virtual care options. News release. VA.gov. September 26, 2024. Accessed October 11, 2024. https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-makes-tele-emergency-care-available-nationwide-offering-veterans-more-virtual-care-options/