VA proposes funding telehealth access points at non-VA facilities
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The VA is looking to expand access to virtual healthcare consults by funding the creation of such access points at non-VA facilities in rural or medically underserved areas.
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Veterans Day that it is seeking to expand access to its telehealth services by waiving copayments and creating a grant initiative to fund designated virtual care stations at non-VA medical facilities.
The proposed rule, which is slated to be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, said the grant program would focus on creating telehealth access points “in rural, highly rural or medically underserved areas.”
The funding would help approved outside groups — including “organizations that represent or serve veterans, nonprofit organizations, private businesses and other interested parties” — create private spaces for veterans to virtually meet with their VA medical providers. The allocated grants would also be used to train personnel at the virtual care stations.
“The telehealth access points use a secure video application to bridge the digital divide by providing veterans health care service via telehealth in a fixed, secure environment with a reliable internet connection,” according to the proposed rulemaking.
VA’s proposal also seeks to amend current copayment requirements by exempting “all telehealth services” from the mandates.
In a Monday press release, VA said the effort aligns with the Biden administration’s push to expand veterans’ access to healthcare services. The department previously announced in September that it was offering nationwide access to its emergency telehealth services, with the effort promoted in part to better serve the needs of veterans living in rural communities.
“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,” VA Secretary Denis McDonough said 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.”
The public comment period for the proposed rule will be 60 days from its publication in the Federal Register.