Check-in for your next VA appointment might be different next time you come in. Beginning this summer, some VA facilities will allow Veterans to do one or both of these:
- Start the check-in process up to seven days in advance of the appointment.
- Check in at the clinic using your smartphone on the day of your appointment.
As part of how VA is modernizing the way Veterans receive care, VA received extensive feedback from Veterans and caregivers about how the checking-in process can be made better, especially for those who use assistive technologies to access their benefits online.
VA’s Office of Information and Technology, partnering with VHA, has applied this feedback to the design of the new, modernized patient check-in application coming soon to your location.
At all VA locations by the end of August 2022
VA is deploying the application at facilities geographically. Deployment within all VISNs will occur by the end of August 2022.
Five facts Veterans should know about VA’s patient check-in application
- Veterans will always have the option to check in for an appointment with a staff member. Using the new mobile app therefore is not a requirement. VA staff are honored to check Veterans in for appointments and to answer questions.
- Veterans will need to check-in at the facility with a staff member on appointment day if they require changes to demographic (contact, next of kin, emergency contact) or insurance information.
- The patient application has two options:
- Pre-check-in helps Veterans confirm demographic information is up to date prior to an appointment. If a clinic offers pre-check-in, Veterans will receive a link through a text message appointment reminder after confirming an appointment.
- Mobile check-in allows Veterans to check-in for an appointment on a smartphone when they arrive at the facility. Upon arrival at a clinic offering mobile check-in, Veterans should locate the poster titled, “Have an appointment? Check in with your phone” prominently on display. They should then text or scan the QR code as directed in the poster to start the process.
- To use the mobile app, Veterans must have a smartphone that is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular service and the phone number on file with VA, as this is how VA verifies your identity. Veterans can update their contact information online.
- The national contract for VetLink kiosks will expire at the end of September 2022. After that date, Veterans should:
- Use the patient check-in application for self-service check-in or check in with a staff member.
- Submit your travel reimbursement claims through the Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS), mail, fax and/or in-person at a VA medical center.
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I also have not been able to access MHV for two years now. I made two fatal VA errors:
I moved my residence to another state.
I changed my Internet and phone provider
There is good news for me. I still have the same Birthday, and the same SSAN.
If I go to the VA personally and stand at the entrance portal, an intelligent human will ask me why I am blocking the door.
The best way to stay young is to work on something . That’s true for your body and your brain . Therefore a change is good and this will save money . DONT CRY go to your V A and sign up to help others . I am 75 yrs living .
I am 91 years old and cannot keep up with all of the changes. I do not have a cell phone/smart phone. Only a desk top computer at home. I can only check in the normal way like we use to. I have to have someone I can talk too as I check in, make appointments and a simple way of doing my travel pay. Keep the system easy so us older vets can still use it as we use too and enjoyed.
I think it is a good idea. We can’t expect the VA to stay in the 20th century. Is it the best way? I don’t know the answer to that. At some point we need to move forward. Just don’t take away the old system yet. Give us options to check in especially for those who don’t use cell phones.
This is another Younger Vet Program…Not set up for 50% of Veterans. Maine has very sparatic internet…Phones services are expensive and do not cover all areas in state.
Travel is very tough with prices high and they do not count ALL TRAVEL even for 100 % They deduct 1 and sometimes 2 Per month..EVEN when not VA but outside travel. Costs so much more for Appts now. SHOULD BE OPTIONAL!!
I can’t believe the VA is at it again.
This is the worst way to check in and apply to for travel pay.
Talk about dumb and dumber it’s the VA.
They are trying to get rid of the old folks. Travel reimbursment used to be easy, now you have to find BTSSS on the website and jnump through hoops to submit a claim. Saves them money if we through up our hands and walk away without reimbursment.
There’s probably some kind of coefficient for how many IRL workers each computer can replace. It’s not us that their targeting here; it’s their employees. Of course it does present problems for older patients whose lives don’t revolve around their phones but they’re easier to resolve than finding a new job. As the saying goes: that’s progress!
The receptionist at Salisbury VAMC usually ask if I get travel whether check in or out. After Appointment I get it, sign it, and hand it back no problem. If I have to, I go to Travel,fill out the form the “old way” and give it to the Agent. Adapt and overcome CRY BABIES.
#5. The national contract for VetLink kiosks will expire at the end of September 2022.
Well VA, I guess we have no !@#$%^&*()_ choice. Some idiot has already made a decision to do away with the kiosks.
The comments already made so far demonstrate that we, your customers, are not prepared for this technology as the sole way to check in other than the dark ages method of talking to a receptionist. I doubt you are hiring more receptionists to handle the overload.
Good luck with this!
With service like this, it is no wonder that 20 veterans take their own lives every day.
Keep the Kiosks because the Check in and travel reimbursement were so streamlined. I went to Phx. VA last Monday and they removed all Kiosks on 2nd floor Podiatry Clinic. I had to physically check in at desk. I asked why they removed them and he said that the VA was changing it system. I asked how do I receive my travel pay and he said to go down to 1st floor at the reimbursement window. After appointment I did and she said I had to fill out form and put it in the wall box. I said how is the payment dispersed and she said it will go into your banking account if I had one set up, which I do. I did not have a pen or reading glasses so I went out to my car to get those things and returned to fill out form. I said what If I did not have and account set up and she said I would have to wait at the pay window. In the midst of a pandemic and a push for lesser human contact I ended up talking to 12 more people and spending and extra 45 minutes as opposed to checking in and out of the Kiosk.
How about us checking in up to 1 hour before appointment just like the old Kiosk
How will the VA capture my insurance information?
I think this is a bad idea. Most older veterans an not able to keep up with technology like this or know how to use a smartphone. Some are lucky enough to have family to help them.
Why can we make a travel claim at the time of check in???
I’m in my seventies and retired. I’ve got a chrome book, an AT&T tablet and a phone. I’ve no reason to ever use any of them and I’ll need tech support if I’m to learn how to access your system. I’ve been involved with IT since the eighties and I just don’t have the patience for it anymore. They need to do a better job of making this stuff accessible.
This is a horrible idea the system inplace was simple no its becoming complicated. Way to take care of vetrans.
Hey, what about checking in for lab, imagining, or pharmacy where you won’t have an appointment? Going back to pulling a number?
That’s all I see more confused veterans every time you turn it’s something new which would causes more confusion it’s like the old saying goes if it’s not broken don’t fix it I don’t know if the people who are in charge gets a raise for there contbution now evey companies are doing it so can a elderly person has to jump thru all this shit I wonder if the VA will make me suffer for my comments
I note the new appointment login in using a smartphone, but no mention of how vets without a smartphone are expected to get their appointments arranged. Come on VA, wake up , there are still things outside the box you live in!
When will the VA be giving Covid booster shots
To bad check in and travel mileage claim can’t happen with same app. Checking in at location is proof you made the trip. Make things easier not harder. Most of us are older and slower. Thanks
I had a VA appointment and forgot my phone. I tried to check in via the front desk and the young lady kept telling me I had to check in via my phone. I told her I forgot my phone and she repeated the same thing and would not check me in. I got frustrated that a VA employee would refuse to help the very people she works for. I left to check my vehicle to ensure I forgot my phone, which I did and returned to the front desk but this time a different employee assisted me an checked me in. This is unacceptable, we should not be treated this way and that employee should be terminated. VA center on Enterprise Rd, Corpus Christi, TX.
Another stupid change just for the sake of it.
Spending more money on dodads instead of medical needs.
The kiosks worked very well without adding an extra step for travel reimbursement.
Sounds great in concept. But, with all of the cellular and WIFI issues inside so many VAs, I have doubts this will work. I was at the Louisville VA yesterday and had no data access at most points within the building.
My Boise VA is using à 15 year old email address to send my a code to sign in with and I will never be able to log into My Healthevet until they allow me to update it.
I hope to be able to have my Primary Care Physician to be able to get my mri results, that are on disc, to be sent to him so that I can view the results with him at my upcoming appointment??
You really think this will assist older Vets who have no clue as to how to use scanners, etc, if they even have a smartphone & wifi??
Get real…; keep the kiosks,
Glad to know that you can still check in with someone, as not everyone owns a smart phone. Wish getting travel pay was easier than having to use the computer as well.
how do i submit a claim for travel reimbursement
Thats great for the vets who can afford a smart phone most can not,just like telemed people creating the service think everyone is capable of using it just because they know how,Do you guys believe everyone can afford internet access,
lol. i havent been seen in 2 years. 80% service connected. 20yrs service. diebetic no meds2yrs. 2yrs for them to get me eye appointment. no reinbursement for glasses i paid for because they didnt approve it. after 2yrs they lost any say in shit. mabee if they tried actually helping people instead of doing puff pieces to pat themselves on the back and actually help people..what a joke
I agree it’s the problems with using my health vet
They change the system so I phone users have to use a different browser , I use the Apple default to prevent tracking and all the B.S. advertising that I don’t want. But they don’t care and go ahead and change knowing I phones won’t work.
This will just add more to the attitude of laziness at the VA.
This has to be one of the dumbest ideas to come up in a long time. Horrible internet access makes the check-in go so slow that patients are just telling the the staff that they don’t even own a smart phone
How about staff or a doctor replying to secure messages or phone calls
that notify them of a PROBLEM?
The staff are off on Friday which means the PROBLEM will sit idle till next week
I am running out of meds
Is there any magic for that?
The kiosk worked reliably and allowed updating demographics, Using the smart phone is less convenient .
I see no reason to discontinue the kiosk unless it saves significant money.
I have filed out the questionare that asked how i would prefer to be contacted and I listed my cell phone but half of the time I get calls on my home phone, if im happen tom in the bath or outside i don’t carry my home phone out there but I have my cell within arms reach, how do i get them to understand this as I won’t be able to check in if the computer won’t listen to me ?
I feel the Kiosk were straight forward and easy to use. These stupid QR codes are really annoying and I can’t even get my phone to scan it! Why fix what’s not broken!?
The current system works
The I T person need to be be treated with friendly fire and sent home to mama
They didn’t tell us the NAME of the app.
They didn’t provide a link to the app in the respective stores.
Really amateur .
Awesome!! Please include this at VERA, VetCenter, and CBOC locations as well.
Is the self check-in so the VA can lay off more people?
The VA’s kios system was a better and less complicated system. This new system will be to complicated for a large number of vet’s. I have to travel 110 miles one way, so travel pay is an important issue that will suffer with this new system. This past week, I received travel pay for 3 medical appointments made in late 2020.
I will withhold my comments until I see how the new system works. I hope for the best but fear the worst
I work with visually impaired veterans at the VA health care center in San Juan PR . Is this new check in application accessible for them to use
This may work for younger Vets but the old guys aren’t going to like it. Of course like the VA knows we will die off soon enough, problem over.
Thank You VA for your service to us. It is Great.
Thanks VA for your service and blessings to us.
Will this will be available at my VA who has already transitioned to the new electronic health record, Cerner and the My VA Health Patient Portal? As of now, we cannot make our appointment online.
I totally find all the new upgrades to the VA experience empowering. From travel reimbursement to virtual appointments and ordering prescriptions; sharing vitals with my health care team communicating via secure messaging. Now VA mobile check-in (haven’t seen it yet), but looking forward to trying it. I truly have had a great experience with my VA. I was intimidated at first with all the new changes including ID.me, now it’s second nature.
You ACTUALLY need to READ the negative comments!
They are from people who HAVE smart phones , can use smart phones, and/or have a computer and can use it.
What about the massive number of VETS that don’t/ can’t use them for comment’s!
PURPOSELY IGNORE THEIR COMMENTS because they CAN’T make them! And you say you’re making things better!? For who??
Wifi has to get better before this will work. They can’t find clerks to check you in, as they are treated so poorly and don’t last long.
what if you have no mobile phone?
Need appointment made, but no response from VA Guam after visiting the facility physically…
WARNING ⚠️
This is all great but I find it necessary to inform fellow Veterans who use the phone to refill your prescriptions that all the forms you fill out, and the safety you are assured using the HIPPA Act is not accurate. The VA phone refill number violates the HIPPA Act.
When you access the pharmacy, YOU are required to enter your FULL SOCIAL NUMBER, and now YOUR FULL BIRTHDATE! A hackers dream and the VA makes it easier to steal YOUR IDENTITY! WARNING ⚠️ And they have been hacked many times. A call to the VA Hotline in Washington was a waste of time and was told “It’s above my pay grade.” Fellow Veterans, YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION IS AT RISK AND THE VA DOESN’T CARE ! It’s time to start making phone calls and letters to the Sectary of the VA, the VA OFFICE of the Inspector, your Congressperson and Senators! Also inform your local Service Organizations (DAV, VFW, etc.). This is a real simple fix, the VA JUST PUT 19 million Veterans at risk for Identification Theft and will not correct it.
WARNING ⚠️
The Kansas City VA Hospital is extremely friendly and accommodating. I’ve noticed since Pres. Trump has strongly supported Vets, during his administration, the VA Hospitals have been given enough resources to really make some major improvements. But it’s the warmth and friendliness of the staff that blows me away. Because of being exposed to agent orange in Nam, I use the diabetic clinic and everyone in that department is first rate. And my Endocrinologist Dr. Ridella is very knowledgeable and caring. Constantly tweaking my medications and routine to keep my blood sugars under control. I know I speak for a lot of Vets; we appreciate the KC VA hospital.
Convenient and time saving
I guess those of us in Albuquerque will have to check in from our vehicles because once inside wifi and network are non-existant. Maybe they will finally be forced to fix that issue.
I would be honored if someone would answer the phone! I was told the would put in a referral for an MRI and I’d be called for an appointment. No one called. Referral was made via computer, hope this works better.
Will these die off like the Check in kiosks that also allowed a Vet to file travel reimbursement. The kiosks kept disappearing from clinics at the VAMC Miami, one by one. Then the few remaining started to have the screens covered in paper “out of order”. Now there is no way for a Vet driving 62 miles, to apply for travel reimbursement.
The VA spent $16 billion on a new electronic medical records system The system that is years behind schedule because is not considered reliable.
I have zero faith in Customer Check In Hardware and Software.
Just a hint or two from someone who used to design user interfaces. 1) Do not put headings up advertising options that lead to pages that say “Coming Soon”. Nothing is more maddening than saying the answers you are looking for will be available at some time in the future. WHAT ABOUT RIGHT NOW! WHAT DO I DO NOW, NOT TOMORROW?.
Lots of similar issues exist. I was trying to confirm an appointment with audiology and could not find either a phone number to call tomorrow during business hours or some other phone # to try that will not put me on hold and after a long wait simply drop the call. All I need at this time is a response on 1) Is there a valid appointment and, if so, WHEN; if not, WHY NOT AND WHEN CAN I MAKE IT HAPPEN, I had an outsider all set-up to provide hearing aids that fit me and handle my issues very well. My advocate told me that I did not meet the requirements for going outside, and that the VA could provide the same hearing aid and that an appointment with department head (supposedly the individual that made that decision) now it is approaching the end of June and no communication from VA about an upcoming appointment or any other communication.
Nice try guys but from my vantage as a 100% service connected disabled veteran the results are pretty sorry. HELP! I am currently having my eyes operated on due to overloading at Temple; thank God the doctor I spoke with gave me the consult I needed to see a local provider to get it done before I go totally blind.
The VA sucks they have no interest in helping vets get better. They think they know whats going on with the vet without listening to what the problem is.
Sure hope this work’s for
me, ’cause “I’m not the
Sharpest knife in the
Drawer”
Did not work today. Receptionist had to check me in.
Great new initiatives. But alwsys remember some of your customers served in Korea and might be smart phone challenged.
Them folks over at the V.A. are good, professional, and very folksy! Thank you Guys!!!
I don’t have a cell phone. I always entered the information on a kiosk and it worked fine. Now what. I’m handing in a filled out travel voucher to cover it. There has to be a better way. Maybe bring back the kiosk?
Not everyone has a smart phone I do not need on only use my cell phone when I go to my VA I have a land line at home so my cell phone is off
The VA is full of past project equipment that the veterans told the VA would not work. I go to the VA and the kiosk are not being use. The lines to check in are long, but the clerks are busy answering phones instead of having at least ONE pecker checker checking in the veterans that made their appoints ahead of time. This program might work if the lights stay on all the time.
Yo so is this an in person thing or zoom or what? I can’t find an address and I wanna attend it.
The VA service in Laredo is great. The new check-in process sucks. For me kiosk was easier. Not everyone familiar with QR codes and some veterans might not even have a smart phone. Even some personnel agreed with me.
No thanks. I have to come in the building anyway.
Problem I see is cellular data access. It’s bad in the okc va hospital. Unless there is an option to log into hospital wifi.
Can travel pay be requested in app also? If not those of us that get it will have to use the kiosk anyway.
Adding new features is great. Would be nice to fix current issues first though. BTSSS is slow to update. Appointments take weeks to show up then months to process.
Hope this works better than the travel pay.
Haven’t received travel pay since they took it off the Kiosks. Every claim has been in manual review since it was submitted… some over 6 months now.
VA needs to make mileage claims easier, as well. The system in place now is horrendous. And if you fill in your info manually, the bean counters deny your mileage claim. I’ve had five claims denied despite spending my money on gas to get to my appointments. Is this how VA intends to save money?
Google is removing and not replacing the code scanners in the play store
A link for the app that one needs to download would be nice. Or, does one scan the qr code with the camera app and the check in appears that way?
The internet/data signal at the Fayetteville NC HCC needs significant improvement for this to be reliable.
Keep up the good work.. God bless the VA workers and all of us vets.
Is there a plan in place to offer “Guest” Internet access? I go to the Northern Arizona Healthcare in Prescott and Cell and service is ver
Poor, even with my iPhone 13 with 5G
Right there with you. Guest wifi would help even here in Tucson.
One more item needs a major fix….TRAVEL PAY. it’s been over 6mos. Of appointments and no reimbursement for my 3 hour hike. Went to the main VA Hines travel office and the issues are the same. LACK OF STAFFING or retention.
Love my VA! Keep up the great work!
What was wrong with the kiosks that you all spent millions on. It worked and you could file travel pay in the same transaction . It was very convenient now you have to go home fire up the computer and navigate through about 5 different portals just to get to the travel pay site and God forbid you don’t forget all the info because you won’t get paid. And for an aging Veteran it’s not hard to get confused while filling it out
I used to be on MY HEALTHY VET but they changed things;
1 lost my log in to it.
2 local could not get me logged on.
3 national can’t get me logged on.
4 I can’t start as a new log on.
I guess MHV is out until I can find a way to totally erases the old log in some how!
Have you been E-verified. You have to go through that to access MHV now. I use ID.me. It is a process but you have to do it
Can you please reach out to me at 859 233 4511 ext 2419
Good service thanks for the info.
I wonder if this process will work better then the keisk
Since 90% of the time check in keisk would be down 1 out of 6 would be dead
99% would be out of paper
And hope one VA will talk to the other
When filing a travel claim
If registered at 1 VA the system will not show appts at anither
if appointments aren’t showing try this. click the +CREATE button up in the claims section of the dashboard, go to the bottom and click I DO NOT SEE MY APPOINTMENTS, then select the facility your appointment was at. The page may take a minute to update and take you back to the list of appointments. Once there just scroll down and return to your dashboard. If that doesn’t help your travel office can add any facilities and the appointments needed.
Muy bien lo.usare
I’m figuring your young I liked your little explanation it’s so easy I’d have to write it down then try it being elderly right now so if I do it it would take all day I know you people easily absorb it not thinking about the whole picture an say if these old people can’t adapt to it just get rid of them now you’ll be farther up the line