The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is home to the United States’ largest integrated health care system, with over 123,552 health care professionals serving 6.7 million Veterans each year. VA is committed to transparency and patient-centered care by enhancing information and services available to Veterans online. In 2003, VA’s personal health record, My HealtheVet, was launched nationwide and has continuously enhanced its capabilities. Offering medication refill, secure messaging, tailored wellness reminders and other services and information, My HealtheVet now boasts 3.7 million registrants, 2.2 million of whom are already approved for access.
In 2013, VA introduced an enhanced Blue Button, which allows Veterans to not only view, print and save their personal health information, but also provides access to VA OpenNotes for outpatient primary care and specialty visit notes, mental and behavioral health visit notes, inpatient notes, and emergency department visit notes.
VA surveyed patient portal users in 2013 and found that more than 80 percent agreed that having access to notes will help them to better follow prescribed medication regimens and to prepare better for clinic visits. More than 90 percent agreed that notes will help them to better understand their condition and better remember their care plan.
Visit MyHealtheVet to register for the patient portal.
