TeleNephrology provides critical kidney care to Veterans across the country

In the United States, an estimated 15% of adults have chronic kidney disease. For those 65 and older, that estimate jumps to 34%.

Kidney disease is a leading cause of death in the U.S., and case numbers are growing at an alarming rate. With a national shortage of nephrologists (kidney specialists), Veterans living in rural areas often have difficulty accessing critical specialty care.

VA is using telehealth to increase Veterans’ access to kidney care. VA’s TeleNephrology program connects Veterans with kidney specialists across the country to provide them with lifesaving care through telehealth.

Dr. Ramón Bonegio is a nephrologist and director of VA’s TeleNephrology Enterprise Wide Initiative. Though Bonegio works in Boston, he is currently treating Veterans who live in New Hampshire, Maine and Washington through TeleNephrology.

“Veterans who have kidney disease or Veterans at risk of kidney disease can now reach a specialist through this program. We can help Veterans across the country and hopefully change their lives,” Bonegio said.

VA’s TeleNephrology services

Instead of traveling long distances for an in-person nephrology appointment, Veterans can connect with a VA nephrologists at their local VA community-based outpatient clinic.

At the clinic, a telehealth care technician will set up a video call between the Veteran and a VA nephrologist. The Veteran can discuss their symptoms, medical history and any current treatment. The nephrologist will then set up lab tests for the Veteran, evaluate their condition and prescribe medication if needed.

This can be lifesaving care as kidney disease can lead to kidney failure and early cardiovascular disease. Kidney failure requires dialysis or a kidney transplant for survival.

Although there is no cure for kidney disease, nephrologists can slow down the disease progression to prevent patients from experiencing kidney failure.

“That’s why it’s important that Veterans see a kidney specialist. We can change the course of your kidney disease from being something you have to think about when you’re 50, 60 or 70 to something that you might never have to think about in your life,” Bonegio said.

Trusted, personal care

VA’s TeleNephrology program launched in 2020 and now provides care to more than 1,500 Veterans with kidney disease. More than 90% of Veterans return to TeleNephrology for their follow-up visits.

“Because I’m not examining the Veteran in person, I spend most of the appointment talking to them. And a lot of the Veterans have said to me: ‘We feel that you listen to us more.’ I feel like that’s a great benefit of video visits. We get a few more minutes just to talk,” Bonegio added.

The program is sponsored by VA’s Kidney Medicine Program in the Office of Specialty Care Services. It currently has providers working from Boston, New Haven, Indianapolis and Little Rock. The program is looking to expand across the country to VA facilities that have little or no access to nephrology care.

Through TeleNephrology, Veterans living hours away from the nearest kidney specialist can still access high-quality care. This care can save a Veteran’s kidneys and their life. To learn more about VA TeleNephrology, visit the VA Telehealth Services website or contact your VA care team.