Copayments for all Department of Veterans Affairs telehealth services would be eliminated and a grant program would be established to fund designated VA telehealth access points in non-VA facilities, with a focus on rural and medically underserved communities, under a proposal recently announced by the VA.
The proposed grant program, Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations (ATLAS), would provide funding to organizations — including nonprofits and private businesses — to offer veterans comfortable, private spaces equipped with high-speed internet access and the technology to meet with VA providers remotely.
“Waiving copays for telehealth services and launching this grant program are both major steps forward in ensuring veterans can access health care where and when they need it,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough in a statement. “VA is the best and most affordable care in America for veterans — with these steps, we can make it easier for veterans to access their earned VA health care.”
Grants would also provide designated funding to train on-site personnel to support the program.
The proposed changes are part of the VA’s ongoing efforts to expand access to VA health care. In September, the VA announced the availability of tele-emergency care nationwide.
The rulemaking can be viewed in the Federal Register.
For more information about VA telehealth, visit here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.