For Veterans, superior care begins the moment they check in at a VA medical facility. For years, they’ve had to provide their “last-four,” or the last four digits of their Social Security number (SSN) for various services at VA facilities. But now, thanks to the Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR), they only need a quick scan of their Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) to check in.
Improved privacy protections
This update applies across all sites using the Federal EHR and demonstrates how VA continues to prioritize patient data security. Scanning a VHIC not only speeds up check-in, but it also reduces the risk of initially retrieving the wrong patient record, creating a faster, safer and more reliable start for each visit.
Additionally, eliminating the routine use of the last four digits of the SSN strengthens Veteran privacy by reducing exposure of personally identifiable information. This update ensures facilities align with VA’s long-standing SSN reduction efforts, guided by Office of Management and Budget Memorandum 07-16.
Veterans can feel more secure than ever when they trust a VA Medical Center with their care.
What Veterans need to know
Veterans can prepare for this change by bringing their VHIC to appointments at facilities using the Federal EHR. After scanning their card, they may receive a wristband depending on the type of care they’re scheduled to receive. Veterans who prefer not to use their VHIC can still check in by providing their last name and date of birth.
According to Tracey Julius, a Red Coat Ambassador at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Veterans have responded positively to the new check-in process.
“Veterans are relieved to be able to scan their identification card, and once the card is scanned, the Veteran’s information appears on the screen,” said Julius.
With their information readily visible, ambassadors can quickly guide Veterans to their appointment locations and assist with any additional needs.
Want to know when the Federal EHR comes to your nearest VA facility? See the Federal EHR deployment schedule.
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I love the progress, but how does this fixes in with the new self-scheduling system? Or, will it?
Must be this new ID is for officers. The lady at the VA said she coundn’t help me get the new ID. I can’t get the new ID.
[Editor: Here’s how to get the VA Health ID card: https://www.va.gov/health-care/get-health-id-card/ ]
I used the kiosk on my last visit to the VA. the place to scan the card is well hidden. So, I tapped no card. I was appalled to see all my private information on the screen in letters large enough to be seen from several feet away. My address DOB full SSN. and phone number right there in large letters and numbers in view for anyone who might be standing behind me or next to me or even further away. Not a good system.
How is scanning a card faster than articulating 4 numbers? Since I’m 90 and don’t see Arizona in the listing, I guess I won’t be around to avail myself of the latest and greatest from the VA at the rate they are progressing. Darn!
When is the rollout for the VA Palo Alto Medical Network in California? As for the check-in process; can we bring back the Kiosks or check-in via phone as we arrive, or at least make those options available for the tech savvy, younger, Veterans? When checking in at the counter upon arrival, I always feel that those in line with me, or folks in the surrounding area, are listening in on my exchange of PII information to the clerk at the counter.
In the past, I have also exchanged my check-in information, written down, and passed to the clerk, when there are many ears in proximity to me. I also like the scanning of VHIC as a more secure and faster way of checking in; however, years ago, when they did offer the Kiosk at my VA Clinic, that’s essentially what I did to check in. Let’s bring back ‘simplicity’ to the process.
Not the first time. I’ve been to numerous va’s that use the kiosks. They usually end up breaking and the place goes back to the old way
How about the service No bells and whistles
Life your so worried about patients data security, then why is thier full name, date of birth and social security number printed on the admissions braclet for anyone to be able to read?
Where do we get the VHIC? Or is it my retired ID card?
Great way to check in. Never really had a problem with check in.
I thing the Gehrig is best and easy way to work with Va
.
I think the fear is best thing come across V A in long time.
Seriously?! I used to be able to use my card to check in before. The last four of my social are better than giving my name and date of birth. Someone needs to rethink this. The last four gives nothing to identity theft people. Name and date of birth DOES. Right around Covid they stopped using the id cards to allow kiosk check-ins, not acting like it is a new great thing?
I found my card
I don’t have a veterans identification card it wasn’t issued to me when I signed up for the va benefits at retirement from active duty in 1997
VHIC card where do. You get the card?
Sounds good to me
Great, now can they stop asking for my last 4 and date of birth when they call me.It could be anybody that I’m giving my info too.
How is this better than giving my last 4 at check-in? Now a veteran gets a wrist band with their name, full SSN and DOB on it. Anyone sitting next to them in a waiting room can look at that wrist band and have all that information.
What about vocalizeing it over the phone or to contractors for verification. They ask for all of your information. Sometimes they ask for your full social security number, your full name, your middle name. You’re phone number, your complete address. Your birthday, it’s utterly ridiculous, not for verification. But asking for people to vocalize this. No matter where they are calling from, I could be calling from an Uber. I could be calling from transportation being provided. I could be in public.It’s dangerously exposing information that everyone does not need to hear.And it’s not necessary. Va needs invest in a different way.
instead of Vocally verifying me having access to my account through a link sent to the veteran’s phone number that is on file. The entire system needs a revamp.
What will the process be for when you are communicating with a Veteran on the phone – what is the plan to ensure we are talking to the correct person since there will be no card to scan in? On base we use the DOD ID number…
What is the plan moving forward for telephonic communication?
This is the “improvements” we are spending billions of dollars on to make veteran healthcare management more efficient? Come on!!!
We need primary healthcare management network provision improvements through a more synchronized ecosystem of standardized processes, documentation, electronic communication between providers, and outcomes based treatments.
Yes, these are little changes, but they are not the KPIs to improved healthcare.
I dont know about just scanning my card. I have been in several times to Dayton since the change over to the new system. Its no longer your last 4. But its just your name …and then they have to ask birthday. My name is not very common but the system is tied to so many others that asking your name pulls up everyone with that name. Then apparently my birthday is very similar to the other person of the same name so they had to ask me a few times to reverify I was the right one. Thats been reoccurring confusion now with labs, primary care, and important procedures.
Luke the travel pay kiosks, in s free years it will be reversd, so the next generation of VA. Managers, can get bonuses and promotions. Of course next generation of VA employees is only 5 or 6 years. Hopefully this new SUPER intelligent VA employee generation will return the travel pay kiosk’s .
Why don’t they connect our travel pay to this new site and eliminate the extra paperwork. I’m sure it would save a ton of money and eliminate paper waste
Great idea!
It’s great but how does going to one factor make things safer when two factor better identifies the vet? My vhic brings my information up but what happens if someone gets my card somehow? And the person reading the info out doesn’t see a different person and gives my personal info to so.eone who isn’t me? There needs to be a two factor aspect to this to be any more secure than it used to be.
Can we get out VA card inside Apple wallet
The VA doesn’t care about Veterans if they really cared then New Hampshire would have a VA hospital and not just a clinic. And send Veterans to other states or hospitals to far away.
It’s been like that for years, you either show your card, or if you don’t have it with you, it’s you’re last 4
Funny how they say it’s about privacy but still partner with ID.me a third party company. Dump the ID.me and go back to the old login.
I agree. I don’t see any big changes.
Another helpful improvement in protecting our privacy.
Great Information…
when will Fehr be available in Dallas and Ft Worth Medical Centers?