What You Need to Know About the VLER Health Information Exchange Initiative

The Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record (VLER) Health Information Exchange Initiative was formed following President Barack Obama’s remarks on April 9, 2009. The focus of his speech was to outline improvements to the health care system for veterans.

At the time, there wasn’t a system in place that connected a service member’s record from the Department of Defense (DoD) to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for treatment and care. However, during the President’s remarks, he called out the DoD and VA because they,

“have taken a first step towards creating one unified lifetime electronic health record for members of our armed services that will contain their administrative and medical information – from the day they first enlist to the day that they are laid to rest.”

Now, the VLER Health Information Exchange is currently in use for veterans.

Veterans can have their comprehensive medical record all in one place, so VA health facilities and participating health care providers are able to access applicable medical histories.

Have you heard about the VLER Health Information Exchange? What questions or concerns do you have about it?

I was recently chatting with a nurse friend about the VLER Health Information Exchange. The concept is great and really does allow for a streamlined approach for both veterans and health care providers as long as health care providers are privy to the system. She was telling me there is a disconnect with Military Treatment Facilities (MTF) and the VA.

For example, if a veteran wants to seek treatment at a military hospital, he or she still may need to carry all of their documents to show their medical history from the VA to the MTF. Currently, the systems aren’t “connected” per se. The disconnect could lead to delays in treatment and lost messaging.

That will change on June 1, 2016, when the VLER Health Information Exchange will expand to the Tricare network.

The overall goal is to connect the health care providers that serve military members and their families to their medical record, including lab results, allergies, medications and illness. It would take away the need to carry paper records when you visit a health clinic.

After it was explained to me by my friend, I thought of it as a bridge system that carries accurate information to the appropriate health care provider. Whether you are being treated at a VA facility for one ailment or getting a general check-up at a MTF, your doctors are on the same page to make the smartest diagnosis and care.

Tricare released a handy video that also explains the VLER Health Information Exchange and what it means to military members. The key takeaways from the VLER Health Information Exchange video is that the system is secure, efficient and effective.

It’s secure because only authorized health care providers can access the information. Tricare lists the providers that can see your record as military hospitals and clinics, VA facilities and civilian groups that are part of the eHealth Exchange. From the site, “the eHealth Exchange is a network of exchange partners who securely share clinical information across the United States.”

Efficiency comes into play because the VLER Health Information Exchange would avoid any cross duplication of tests and/or procedures already done for a patient. Because it is a comprehensive health record of an individual, the health care team can assess your current situation to give you appropriate treatment, which highlights effectiveness.

Of course, veterans and family members could opt out of the system. It’s not required to participate, but that would mean none of your medical history will be on the VLER Health Information Exchange. Currently, active duty members must be a part of the program.

Take a look at Tricare’s VLER Health Information Exchange resource site to read more about the initiative to see if it’s something you would want to use or if you would rather opt out of it.

Do you have any questions about the VLER Health Information Exchange? Share them in the comments section.