VA Telehealth & Connected Care

VA telehealth lets you meet with your VA providers without traveling to a VA facility. It is part of the VHA Standard Medical Benefits Package — all veterans enrolled in VA health care are eligible.

VA organizes telehealth into three categories:

• At Home: Meet with VA providers via video or phone from your home using your own computer or mobile device.
• In the Clinic: Connect with VA specialists across the country from a VA clinic near you.
• In the Hospital: Providers collaborate via telehealth to improve patient care across locations.

In FY2025, more than 2.9 million veterans took part in over 14.6 million episodes of care through telehealth — a 10% increase from the previous year. Veteran satisfaction with VA telehealth has risen for the fifth consecutive year, with 91.7% reporting satisfaction.

VA Video Connect is VA's secure videoconferencing tool for live medical appointments between veterans and VA providers. It is HIPAA compliant, FIPS 140-2 compliant, SOC2/SSAE16 certified, and DoD JITC certified. Only invited participants can access virtual medical rooms, and providers can lock rooms for privacy.

How to Use It

1. Discuss VA Video Connect with your VA care team
2. Schedule an appointment through your provider
3. Receive an email notification with your appointment link
4. Click the link at the scheduled time

Device Requirements

• Internet connection with webcam, microphone, and speakers
• Android/Windows: No download required — launches in your web browser
• Apple devices (iPhone/iPad): Download the free app from the Apple App Store

Key Features

• Multi-participant support for family members and caregivers
• Text chat capability during appointments
• Microphone and camera controls
• Virtual specialist access from across the country

Support: OCC Help Desk at 866-651-3180 (available 24/7).

ATLAS (Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations) provides comfortable, private spaces within your community where you can attend VA telehealth appointments. These locations are equipped with internet access and the technology needed for VA Video Connect visits.

VA has partnered with The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and other public and private organizations to host ATLAS locations nationwide. An on-site attendant greets you and assists with technical setup but does not remain during appointments or access any medical information.

Eligibility: The ATLAS site must be associated with the VA Medical Center (VAMC) where you are enrolled in care. You can search for nearby ATLAS sites using a ZIP code or city/state search tool on the ATLAS website.

ATLAS is especially valuable for veterans in rural areas with limited broadband connectivity or those who do not own a device.

VA Health Chat is a mobile app and web tool that connects you with VA staff within minutes for non-emergency health needs.

Available Channels

• Clinical Triage: Medical advice for non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses
• Pharmacy Support: Refill prescriptions or ask medication questions
• Scheduling & Administration: Schedule and manage VA appointments
• Virtual Clinic Visit (Urgent Care): Immediate care needs

How to Access

• Web browser via the VA App Store
• Apple App Store or Google Play download
• My HealtheVet portal on VA.gov

Eligibility: Any veteran who is actively enrolled in VA health care and has Login.gov or ID.me account credentials. Available nationwide, including U.S. territories. Support: 866-651-3180 (24/7).

Secure messaging lets you communicate privately and securely with your VA health care team online through the My HealtheVet experience on VA.gov.

What You Can Do

• Ask non-urgent, non-emergency health-related questions
• Give your health care team updates on your condition
• Request VA referrals, test results, and prescription renewals
• Ask routine administrative questions about scheduling or directions

Your VA health care team should respond within 3 business days.

Eligibility

All three are required: (1) enrollment in VA health care, (2) registration as a patient at a VA health facility, and (3) your VA provider has agreed to communicate through secure messaging.

Sign in through My HealtheVet on VA.gov using Login.gov or ID.me credentials. (DS Logon was retired November 18, 2025.) Support: My HealtheVet at 877-327-0022 (TTY: 800-877-8339), Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET.

My HealtheVet Patient Portal

On June 4, 2025, VA transitioned all core functions to the new My HealtheVet on VA.gov. Through the portal you can send and receive secure messages, manage medications and request refills, access medical records, and manage appointments. Sign in requires Login.gov or ID.me credentials (effective January 31, 2025).

VA: Health and Benefits Mobile App

The VA: Health and Benefits app (iOS and Android) lets you:

• Refill and track VA prescriptions
• Send and receive secure messages
• Review appointments and add them to your calendar
• Check disability rating and review claim/appeal status
• Submit evidence for claims or appeals
• Download common VA letters
• Review payment history and update direct deposit
• Access vaccine records and the Veterans Crisis Line

The app supports biometric sign-in (fingerprint and face recognition), a facility locator, and proof of Veteran status display. Support: 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711), available 24/7.

VA's Remote Patient Monitoring — Home Telehealth (RPM-HT) uses telehealth technologies to collect and send your health data, like vital signs, to your care team. The program focuses on prevention and early detection of worsening symptoms to reduce hospital admissions.

How It Works

1. Assessment: Your provider evaluates you for RPM-HT services
2. Device & Training: VA provides a device to fit your needs and trains you to use it
3. Ongoing Support: A dedicated Home Telehealth care coordinator manages your monitoring, facilitates communication, arranges treatment modifications, and coordinates care

Conditions Covered

• Heart failure
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Hypertension / hypotension
• Chronic kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Multiple sclerosis

Equipment Provided (No Cost)

Blood pressure cuffs, glucose monitors (including continuous glucose monitoring), scales, A1C trackers, and more — all provided by VA at no charge to eligible veterans.

Requirements

• Daily use of provided equipment and submission of vital sign data
• Cellular connectivity for data transmission
• Informed consent

How to enroll: Talk with your VA provider for a referral, call your local RPM-HT program, or use secure messaging in My HealtheVet to contact your care team.

If you don't have a device with internet access, VA can lend you an internet-connected tablet at no cost through the Digital Divide Consult. VA currently has 115,000 4G tablets deployed to veterans nationwide.

How to Request

Talk with your VA provider about the Digital Divide Consult. You will be referred to a VA social worker who can review your options. VA provides 24/7 tech support for VA-loaned devices and helps with device setup.

Additional Digital Access Programs

• AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon offer zero-data-charge programs for VA Video Connect usage
• FCC Lifeline Program: Federal discount program for qualifying veterans — call 800-234-9473
• Microsoft Rural Digital Skills: Broadband and digital skills classes in rural areas

Accessing telehealth can be difficult for veterans in rural areas with limited broadband or without personal devices. VA has multiple initiatives to close this gap:

• ATLAS locations at American Legion and VFW posts with full telehealth equipment
• Digital Divide Consult lending internet-connected tablets
• Zero-data-charge programs from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon for VA Video Connect
• FCC Lifeline Program for discounted internet and phone service
• VA rural telehealth pilots including programs specifically for PTSD

For FY2026, VA is prioritizing collaboration with Digital Champions and Rural Health Grant teams to assess technological access, digital literacy, and training needs across regions.

General eligibility: You must be enrolled in VA health care. Telehealth is part of the VHA Standard Medical Benefits Package, so all enrolled veterans are eligible. Services may vary by location.

Sign-in: As of January 31, 2025, VA requires Login.gov or ID.me credentials for all online services. DS Logon was retired November 18, 2025.

1. Set up your account: Create a Login.gov or ID.me account if you haven't already.
2. Talk to your VA care team about which telehealth services fit your needs.
3. Test your device before your first video visit — check your camera, microphone, speakers, and internet connection.
4. For rural access: Ask about ATLAS locations near you or whether you qualify for a VA-loaned tablet.
5. Download the VA app: Get the VA: Health and Benefits app from the App Store or Google Play.

Key Phone Numbers

• OCC Help Desk (telehealth tech support): 866-651-3180 (24/7)
• MyVA411 (general VA support): 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711, 24/7)
• My HealtheVet support: 877-327-0022 (TTY: 800-877-8339, Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET)