Vermont Business Magazine The White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) and Dartmouth Hitchcock based in Lebanon, NH, have partnered together to electronically share Veteran health information securely through the Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record (VLER) Health Program. Veterans who receive care from VA and providers at Dartmouth Hitchcock locations in Vermont and New Hampshire can now take advantage of VLER, which enhances quality of care by enabling non-VA health care providers to gain access VA medical data such as a list of health problems, allergies, medications, vital signs, immunizations and some laboratory test results.
“It’s the 21st century, so let’s put our high technology to use serving this population,” said Bruce Lyndes, the region’s VLER Community Coordinator based at the White River VAMC. “Connecting veterans’ medical records with their health care providers is a big step forward in better serving our Veterans, who certainly deserve it.”
The secure, electronic health information exchange reduces the need for Veterans and their families to carry personal health records back and forth between VA and non-VA health care providers or arrange their transfer. The program is free and voluntary for Veterans, but requires written consent.
“It’s convenient for the veteran and it’s easier for the health care provider to get an up-to-date medical record to assist in providing the best possible treatment for their patient,” noted D-H’s Chief Health Information Officer, Peter Solberg, MD, who added the VLER exchange system meets stringent security guidelines.
Once completed, the Veteran’s authorization to share his/her health information shall be in effect for ten years and can be renewed. Veterans can “opt-out” or discontinue the sharing of their health information at any time should they choose to do so. Veterans can join VLER by signing a short authorization form, which is available at the White River VAMC clinic desks in Building 39 and 31.
Veterans can also enroll in VLER Health in the following ways:
- In person, at the White River Junction VAMC in Building 4, through the Release of Information office.
- By mail: VAMC
215 North Main Street 136 B
White River Junction, VT 05009
- Via VA’s E-Benefits site: https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/
- Veterans interested in more information about VLER Health should visit the https://www.va.gov/VLER/vler-health-exchange-registration-guide.asp#eBenefits, which includes information on down loading the authorization forms, a fact sheet and a mailing address.
Source: WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt.– White River Junction VA Medical Center 2.12.2018