Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations (ATLAS) is part of VA’s Anywhere to Anywhere telehealth initiative. ATLAS enhances a Veteran’s access to care by bridging the digital divide.
Editor’s note: This blog has been updated with new information on Feb. 6, 2020.
ATLAS sites offer health care services that do not require hands-on exams, such as primary care, mental health counseling, clinical pharmacy, nutrition services, social work, and more.
ATLAS establishes convenient, video telehealth locations for Veterans’ appointments with VA providers in communities where there was otherwise long travel times to VA facilities, or limited internet connectivity at home.
VA is partnering with public and private organizations to provide comfortable appointment rooms at local access sites. Philips North America donated equipment to Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and The American Legion to establish a total of 10 ATLAS sites. VA has also collaborated with Walmart to initiate an ATLAS pilot at five select Walmart stores for 12 months.
While there are no VA employees based at ATLAS sites, there is an on-site attendant to provide Veterans with information on how to join their appointment, troubleshoot technical issues, and clean the space. The attendant will not be present when the Veterans connect to the VA provider, and will not have access to the Veteran’s medical record.
ATLAS appointments do not replace or take away a Veteran’s option to receive in-person care. The choice of where and when to receive VA care is ultimately up to the Veterans and their VA care team.
Veterans interested in this program are encouraged to contact their local VA medical centers to determine service availability in their local area. For more information about ATLAS, visit the ATLAS webpage.
Contacts
Please use the contacts below for ATLAS questions that are location specific. These individuals will only be able to assist with ATLAS specific questions for their designated areas. For all other questions, call VA311 (844-698-2311) or the White House VA Hotline (1-855-948-2311).
| Site Location | Site Type | POC | |
| Asheboro, NC | Walmart | Jennifer Terndrup | Jennifer.Terndrup@va.gov |
| Boone, NC | Walmart | Eric Adams | Eric.Adams3@va.gov |
| Eureka, MT | VFW | Marvin Boyd – Spokane, WA | Marvin.Boyd@va.gov |
| Susan Geubtner – Montana HCS | Susan.Geubtner@va.gov | ||
| Fond du Lac, WI | Walmart | Scot Kueper | Scot.Kueper@va.gov |
| Howell, MI | Walmart | Aimee LaBelle | Aimee.Labelle@va.gov |
| Keokuk, IA | Walmart | Nathan Samuelson | Nathan.Samuelson@va.gov |
| Springfield, VA | American Legion | Shawn Norman | Shawn.Norman@va.gov |
Shawn Graham is the communications & portfolio manager at the Secretary’s Center for Strategic Partnerships.
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I also did it straight from home. It worked fine, I was in Florida. the Doc was in New York City.
Sounds interesting,the local clinic is 20 miles away and the nearest VA hospital is 50 miles away
What about the VA Clinic in the Philippines! If this is needed anywhere it would be for Vets living overseas!! I suffer from SSI and have to travel 3 to 4 hours just to get to the clinic and for what really. I have a one hour appointment that takes around 20 minutes because they just rush you through! They don’t give any care there except for Psychological counseling’s but other than that you see Dr.’s in you local area that actually treat you. All the clinic does is if you get a new prescription they approve it so you can get the meds from the pharmacy but other than that? We fall under the FMP program that is becoming more and more useless by the day because it takes so long for them to pay your local doctors for the treatments you received, now most of my doctors are making me pay them and I have to file a claim with the FMP and wait 8 to 12 months to get my money back! We really need help over here, there are some people that need to get surgery and they are making them pay up front and they don’t have the money to do it so what good is the FMP if they can not help them? We are getting left out over here and need HELP from someone!
If interested in VA Video Connect services in home or anywhere internet is available or at an Atlas location please reach out to your mental health or primary care provider to schedule these appointments. Atlas is currently in select locations only during the pilot stage.
I notice the the American Legion and VFW are involved.
How about the Fleet Reserve Association?
The FRA represents the interests of enlisted members of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
It is an often overlooked organization of actives and veterans of the Seagoing Services.
I was in the Navy during the Vietnam conflict and did three six-month tours there.
I knew nothing about the FRA until well past my fiftieth birthday.
I was recruited for the FRA after attending an American Legion meeting.
Can THE VA PROVIDE THE TAblets FOR Veteran to participate in the program?
How about cleaning up this back log of denied claims. I ve been push back from an 11 year fillings notifyed i am to wait another two more years before a hearing.
This sounds very interesting. I noticed there was nothing in MN, I currently drive 30 miles to the VA satellite clinic and 50 to 60 miles from MPLS.. VA. I have to be honest, I am no whiz at the computer, but with a little help I can manage.
Thanks, Ken – USN 1965 to 1969
Do you have this in New Jersey and what location
Why can’t I do it through my home computer I can see some of us would need help but for us that can do it from home can we do it from home I’ve done video with my therapist from home just asking
I have done it from home. It worked fine, I was in FL. the Doc was in NY.
how is it that doctors MD are so scarce in va hospital like palm beach no hemato onco for 3 months patient treated by pharmacist decision only.. where are we going!!!!!!
Sounds interesting,the local clinic is 20 miles away and the nearest VA hospital is 50 miles away
My wife is a retired physiotherapist but could help either by phone or computer.
Jerome Sachs