On May 11, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced a new federal rule allowing VA healthcare providers to practice via telehealth across state lines, pre-empting previous state licensing and telehealth restrictions. The rule also furthers VA’s “Anywhere to Anywhere” initiative, allowing VA providers including psychologists to offer care, and veterans to receive care, from any location. Previous regulations allowed veterans to receive care via virtual technology in their homes but required that telehealth providers be located in a VA facility. VA providers and veterans will work together virtually through VA’s newly unveiled video conferencing app, VA Video Connectopens in new window.
The APA Practice Organization has been a leader in telemental health advocacy broadly. Staff lobbied on Capitol Hill and within the White House to support this VA effort to expand its telehealth capacity through federal supremacy and clear guidelines regarding allowable locations for delivery of care. This enhanced telemental health provision within VA should ease some issues with timely access to mental health care for veterans, as well as provide more options for veterans in rural areas and those with physical or other challenges that make getting to a VA facility difficult.
See more details in the VA’s press releaseopens in new window and on the VA’s Office of Connected Careopens in new window website.