VA, Apple Partner to Expand Veterans Access to Telehealth Services

September 15, 2020 - The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Apple recently partnered to increase access to telehealth services. 

Through VA’s iPad program, qualifying Veterans with cellular-enabled iPads can access telehealth services. Currently, over 50,000 Veterans across the country connect to VA healthcare services virtually.

The collaboration will leverage Apple’s expertise to enhance the platform and ensure Veterans and healthcare professionals have the best telehealth experience possible. 

“VA will continue working diligently to provide Veterans with the tools and resources necessary to access quality health care when and where they need it,” VA Secretary, Robert Wilkie, said in the announcement.

“VA’s partnership with Apple is an integral step in helping to bridge the digital divide for Veterans everywhere. This is particularly critical during the COVID-19 public health emergency, when telehealth is being leveraged to protect the safety and well-being of both our Veterans and clinicians.”

A recent VA study found that Veterans who received tablets reported high levels of satisfaction with care and were less likely to miss appointments.

Additionally, the Veterans found access to VA care faster and more efficient.

Due to the positive feedback, VA will continue to distribute iPads to Veterans, which will offer them portability, better user experience, and increased data privacy and security.

This effort is made possible by Apple’s integrated hardware and software platform.

Additionally, patients are also able to securely view their personal medical information using the Health Records on iPhone features from Apple.

“VA’s iPad program provides unparalleled convenience and flexibility when attending my VA appointments,” said Fiona Garcia, a US Air Force veteran. 

“After receiving an iPad in March, I’ve been able to receive VA care when and where I need it most. The technology also allows me to stay connected with my doctors when I am not near a Wi-Fi connection or near the VA medical center.”

Telehealth has been vital for patients and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person appointments may not be possible. 

At the start of the pandemic, congressional leaders agreed to a coronavirus response bill that allowed Medicare reimbursement for care providers using telehealth to treat seniors at home.

The bill waived Medicare’s geographical restrictions on telehealth during COVID-19, which allowed providers to use telehealth in both urban and rural areas. 

Additionally, the bill relaxed restrictions on the use of a telephone to deliver care. 

Since March, many companies have shifted to telehealth to expand coverage and boost scalability and flexibility. 

Just last week, a group of Senators called on the VA to expand telehealth coverage for veterans’ families during the pandemic to include telephone calls and text messaging.

Individuals who live in rural areas may have limited access to internet and telehealth services. During a public health emergency, it is vital that this access is expanded. 

“Telehealth has been an important resource for our constituents during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has helped ensure that patients are able to access care without exposing themselves or their providers to the risk of COVID-19 infection,” the Senators said in the official letter to Wilkie.

“Many patients that are covered by Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance are now able to receive a greater variety of telehealth services in their own homes, through different platforms, for the duration of the public health emergency due to COVID-19.”

The Senators urged VA to take the necessary steps to ensure the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) beneficiaries are able to access health services through voice communication platforms.

“We appreciate the steps VA has taken in recent years to make telehealth more accessible to veterans and their families, but in order for this access to be meaningful, it must reach constituents through the platforms that work best for them and their providers,” the letter concluded.