Understanding the VA’s Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR)

The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is changing how Veterans’ health information is stored and shared through a new Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR), designed to create a more connected and coordinated healthcare experience for Veterans. This Federal EHR will replace the VA’s current multiple existing Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) systems with a single electronic health record shared across participating federal healthcare organizations and community care providers.

What This Change Means for Veterans

One of the biggest advantages of the Federal EHR is greater access to your complete medical history as a Veteran. Information entered by doctors, pharmacies, laboratories, and other authorized providers will be available to participating facilities when needed. That means you may be less likely to encounter disconnected records when you move to a new location, travel, change providers, or transition out of military service and elect VA Health Care.

Having more complete information in one system may help providers:

• Better understand your medical history
• Communicate more effectively across care settings
• Identify potential gaps in treatment
• Make more informed decisions about your care
• Check your contact information. Review your VA.gov profile and make sure your phone number, email address, mailing address, and communication preferences are current.

This shared system may also make it easier for Veterans to receive care from different locations without having to navigate disconnected medical record systems.

How Veterans Can Prepare for the Transition

The Federal EHR is being introduced in phases, so the timing of it applying to your own medical care will depend on your local VA facility. In the meantime, there are a few steps you can take to help prepare:

• Keep your personal information accurate. If you’ve legally changed your name and continue to receive pay from the Department of War (DOW), make sure your information is updated in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility System (DEERS). This may apply to certain Reserve and National Guard members, civilian employees, and Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) employees.
• Plan ahead for any necessary care. Before the Federal EHR goes live at your facility, consider scheduling necessary appointments, and/or refilling or renewing prescriptions early to avoid potential pharmacy delays.
• Watch for updates from your VA facility. With implementation occurring in phases, communications from your local VA facility can help you understand when the transition may affect you. To learn more, see the Federal EHR Deployment Schedule.

The VA expects implementation across all VA facilities to be completed as early as 2031.

A More Connected Approach to VA Health Care

The transition to a Federal EHR represents a significant modernization of the VA Health Care system. For Veterans, the goal is simple: better-connected information, better coordination among providers, and a more seamless healthcare experience.

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