The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (the VA) is leading the way in telehealth innovation to make sure veterans can access care when and where they need it. From the veteran’s home, the clinic, or the hospital, VA telehealth technologies make it easier for veterans to connect with their VA care team. Read all about VA Telehealth Services at https://telehealth.va.gov.
This week’s article is the first of two articles on VA Telehealth Services and provides an introduction and how to determine if you are eligible for VA healthcare and how to apply for VA healthcare – and use VA Telehealth Services. Article 2 will cover how VA Telehealth Services work at home, in the clinic, and in the hospital.
The VA Telehealth Help Center
To better understand and get the answers to questions about VA Telehealth (seeing and talking to your health care provider online), veterans, their family members, and caregivers should read the information VA Telehealth Help Center’s website at https://telehealth.va.gov/help-center.
Due to COVID and my need to social distance, wear a mask, get all four vaccinations, and follow other CDC infection prevention guidelines as much as possible, this writer had a telehealth visit with my Primary Care Provider in 2021, and it was easy to schedule, get a referral for lab work, and participate in a telehealth meeting with my VA doctor.
More importantly, my Primary Care Provider telehealth appointment was scheduled when I wanted it, provided me with a laboratory referral before the appointment, was conducted exactly at the scheduled time, and allowed the doctor to review my medical history and latest lab results before the appointment, was total privacy protected, and was pleasant and thorough. I was more than highly satisfied with the VA’s Telehealth experience.
How to get started with VA Telehealth service?
If a veteran is already enrolled in VA health care, getting started using VA Telehealth begins with a conversation with the veteran’s primary care provider or specialty care provider – that is the veteran’s doctor, Physician’s Assistant (PA), or Nurse Practitioner (NP). Each VA Medical Center also has staff members including the veteran’s nurse, social worker, patient advocate, and others who can explain to veterans their telehealth options.
To use VA telehealth in a veteran’s home, the veteran will need internet access and a connected device such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
How can a veteran apply for VA Health Care?
If a veteran is not currently enrolled in and does not use VA health care, veterans can apply online, by phone, in person, or by mail. Veterans learn online how to apply for VA health care a https://bit.ly/3B7x5Dz. At this “how to” site veterans can also find out if they are eligible for VA health care benefits. Eligibility is spelled out in detail at https://bit.ly/3cuf4Vm.
How can a veteran apply for VA Health Care online?
Go online to https://bit.ly/3B7x5Dz and follow the instructions.
How can a veteran apply for VA Health Care by phone?
Call the VA’s toll-free hotline at 877-222-8387.
How can a veteran apply for VA Health Care by mail?
Fill out an Application for Health Care Benefits, VA Form 10-10EZ, and send the application to Health Eligibility Center, 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200, Atlanta, Ga, 30329.
How can a veteran apply for VA Health Care in person?
Fill out an Application for Health Care Benefits, VA Form 10-10EZ, and take the completed form and your DD214 or other discharge papers to the nearest VA Medical Center or Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). Call and make an appointment before you go.
The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center (RHJVAMC) and Health Care System Headquarters are located at 109 Bee Street, Charleston, S.C. 29401; main phone number is 843-577-5011. The RHJVAMC’s Eligibility and Enrollment Office phone number is 843-789-7008. Veterans can find a VA location or in-network community care provider using the VA’s Find VA Locations website and search tool at https://www.va.gov/find-locations/.
RHJVAHCS’s Six Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) locations
- Beaufort South Carolina CBOC, 1 Pinckney Boulevard, Beaufort, S.C. 29902-6122, main phone 843-770-0444.
- Savannah Georgia CBOC, 1170 Shawnee Street, Savannah, Ga. 31419-1618, main phone 912-920-0214.
- Hinesville Georgia CBOC, 500 East Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville, Ga. 31313-2804, main phone 912-408-2900.
- North Charleston SC CBOC, 6450 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, S.C. 29406-4882, main phone 843-818-5100.
- Goose Creek SC CBOC, 2418 NNPTC Circle, Goose Creek, S.C. 29445-6314, main phone 843-577-5011 Extension 3100.
- Myrtle Beach SC CBOC, 1800 Airpark Drive, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577-1412, main phone 843-477-0177/.
How can veteran can a veteran determine if they are eligible for VA health care?
According to the information at https://bit.ly/3cuf4Vm, veterans may be eligible for VA health care if they served in the active military, naval, or air service and did not receive a dishonorable discharge. To be eligible and the veteran enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980, or entered active duty after Oct. 16, 1981, the veteran must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which the veteran was called to active duty unless any of the descriptions below are true.
The minimum duty requirement may not apply if any of these are true: (1) You were discharged for a disability that was caused or made worse by your active-duty service, or (2) You were discharged for a hardship or “early out,” or (3) You served prior to Sept. 7, 1980.
If a veteran is a current or former member of the Reserves or National Guard, he or she must have been called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty. If a current or former member of the Reserves or National Guard had or has an active-duty status for training purposes only, they DO NOT qualify for VA health care. Read more at https://bit.ly/3cuf4Vm.
What telehealth services are available?
The VA offers telehealth services in over 50 specialty care areas, including primary care, mental health care, cardiology, and pain management. Veterans can find a complete list of VA telehealth specialty services at the VA’s In The Clinic webpage: https://telehealth.va.gov/type/clinic.
Does the VA lend telehealth devices?
Veterans can receive telehealth devices lent to them by VA, including internet-enabled tablets and peripheral devices, such as thermometers, blood oximeters, and blood pressure monitors. To learn more about VA telehealth devices, contact your VA provider or your local VA Medical Center or CBOC.
How can I get help with my current VA telehealth care?
If a veteran is experiencing a medical emergency, they need to call 911 for immediate help. If a veteran or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the Veterans Crisis Line for confidential support: Call 800-273-8255 and press 1; text 838255; or chat online.
If a veteran has currently enrolled in VA telehealth and needs non-emergency assistance with telehealth care, the veteran should contact their VA provider or their local VA Medical Center or CBOC. To check on appointments or contact your VA care team, reach out to your local VA Medical Center or access the My HealtheVet portal at https://bit.ly/3yVqglA.
You can read more than 50 articles on veterans’ benefits written by Larry Dandridge and published in The Island News at www.yourislandnews.com.
Larry Dandridge is a Vietnam War wounded warrior, disabled veteran, ex-Enlisted Infantryman, ex-Warrant Officer Pilot, and retired Lt. Colonel. He is a past Veterans Service Officer, a Patient Adviser at the RHJ VA Hospital, the Fisher House Charleston Good Will Ambassador, and the VP for Veteran Affairs for the local Army Association Chapter. Larry is the author of the award-winning book Blades of Thunder and a contributing free-lance writer with the Island News. Contact him at LDandridge@earthlink.net or
843-276-7164.
