As we all take precautions to guard against COVID-19, being able to access VA health care is very important. Reaching your VA care team online – rather than in person – can protect you and others from exposure to infectious diseases.
VA Secretary Robert Wilkie shared, “Veterans have never had a more compelling reason to get a My HealtheVet account than now. With My HealtheVet, Veterans can say in touch with their VA health care teams and get access to VA care from home.”
VA has many tools that can help you access care remotely, including My HealtheVet, VA’s online patient portal. With a free My HealtheVet Premium account, you can securely access tools online that help you manage your VA care from home:
- Secure Messaging: Send online secure messages to your VA health care team to ask them non-urgent health questions or to ask to set up a video telehealth appointment.
- VA Appointments: Rather than going to a VA facility, you can receive many types of care at home – either over the phone or via video using VA Video Connect. You can set up telephone or video appointments by sending a secure message. Or you can use the VA Appointments tab on My HealtheVet.
- Prescription Refills: Request prescription refills and ship medications to your home using My HealtheVet’s VA Prescriptions tool or the Rx Refill mobile app.
Using these tools can help you get VA care while maintaining physical distancing. Even if you are healthy, the time to get a My HealtheVet account is now. That way, you’re prepared should you need to access VA care in the future.
Start with My HealtheVet
If you don’t have a My HealtheVet account yet, you can create an account at myhealth.va.gov by selecting “Register” in the top right. Check out the new user registration guide on the My HealtheVet website if you need help.
You should make sure your account information matches your VA or U.S. Department of Defense records. If your information matches, your account will automatically be upgraded to Advanced level. Then there will be an “A” icon next to your name.
The next step is upgrading to a Premium account to access all of My HealtheVet’s features. You can read more about those features on the My HealtheVet Premium webpage.
Upgrading to a premium account online
Upgrading to a My HealtheVet Premium account is a free and secure process. Once you have an Advanced account, you can upgrade to a Premium account online with a sign-in partner. Sign-in partners are either DS Logon or ID.me.
DoD issues DS Logons. It lets you access many VA and DoD sites with one username and password. To learn more about DS Logon, you can read our DS Logon guide on the My HealtheVet site. You can get a DS Logon Level 2 (Premium) account at myaccess.dmdc.osd.mil.
ID.me is a trusted identity verification partner for VA. If you need an ID.me account, you’ll need your smartphone, or a landline and a computer with an internet connection. Also, make sure you know your Social Security number and have proof of identity. Proof includes your driver’s license or passport. Learn more here: https://www.id.me/.
Once you have a My HealtheVet Advanced account, and a DS Logon Level 2 (Premium) or ID.me account, sign in to your account using a sign-in partner and select “Upgrade Now.” The My HealtheVet website’s upgrading guide can help you complete the process of upgrading your account online using a sign-in partner.
Upgrading your account online is simple — you can get started today. And protect yourself from the spread of COVID-19 by staying up to date with the latest information and guidelines at https://www.va.gov/coronavirus-veteran-frequently-asked-questions/ and cdc.gov/coronavirus.
Treva Lutes is a communications specialist for the Connected Care communications team.
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I don’t know about other locations but in KY the test is free to anyone you just need to reserve a time slot to avoid lines and waiting. In many areas of KY Kroger (the grocery chain) provides the testing at N/C as a service to citizens. No insurance required. When I took the test they had 300 additional openings at my location (a large park) that were not used and this has been a common issue They are always announcing they have plenty of openings for tests. Don’t believe the fake news. I had no wait and it took all of 5 minutes. They called me after a few days to let me know I did not have the virus. The National Guard was present to control the traffic, ensure you identity and guide everyone through the maze of lane cones while maintaining proper distancing. Well organized and very safe.
To my knowledge, no one if forcing vets to take the test. Today at the Nashville, TN Vet Hospital no one mentions the test when you enter but they check temperature, ask a few health questions and you must wear a mask and follow distancing rules while there. The give you a wrist band to indicate you were screened. Very few departments were open but thankfully the optical area opened last week for new glasses. I provided my prescription and after 10 minutes I was done. No waiting.
ThevVA health care system , as I understand, is one of the largest health care systems in the United States . Having said that, I am eternally grateful for the service and care I have received over the last ten years.. The doctors, nurses , staff are as good or better than any heath care system currently in place. Their will always be some disgruntlement in any health care system , and I have had a few myself, but, overall, the care I have received has been very good.. My concerns are with the COVID 19 procedures. Being the largest Health system, why can,t we get tested for the COVID 19 at VA facilities ?? Vetrans are told to seek out county and state testing sites which are overwhelmed , and then what insurance do you have. A lot of veterans who are service connected , do not carry additional insurance and it creates a problem. Additionally, I realize that precautions must be taken on appointments, but, I question extensive use of telecast for now and the future. I am a Vietnam veteran in my 70,s I believe we make up the majority of VA patients. Due to age , I feel that a actual appointment rather than a teleconference is better.
Why are they forcing veterans to take a covid-19 test if they have no systems? Are the hospital staff and dentist staff also required to take the same test?
THANK-YOU!!! MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU WELL AND THE PATIENTS WHO RECEIVE SUCH AN UNSELFISH GIFT!!!!!!