Veterans Health Information Exchange (VHIE)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for VA Patients
Question | Answer |
Who is VHIE? |
The Veterans Health Information Exchange (VHIE) Program Office manages the tools VA clinicians use to seamlessly and securely access the information they need to coordinate your care. Through a secure gateway called the Joint Health Information Exchange (joint HIE), VA, DoD, and other participating external providers who are a part of your care team can safely and securely send and receive your VA health information electronically. VA only shares your health information with participating non-VA partners and providers when they are treating you. |
What is eHIE? |
Electronic health information exchange (eHIE) connects health care providers, care facilities, pharmacies, and labs to ensure care teams have the most up-to-date and accurate information in order to treat patients. This secure exchange system eliminates the need to send paper medical records by mail or carry your paper records to appointments with federal health care providers and/or participating non-VA partners and providers. |
What are participating non-VA partners and providers? (participating external providers) |
Participating non-VA partners and providers, who are a part of your care team, can safely and securely request and receive electronic health information through the secure gateway called the joint HIE. These participating non-VA partners and providers can provide care to all VA patients, and can include single-physical offices to multi-hospital systems outside of the federal health care system. The federal health care system can also provide care to VA patients, and includes VA, DoD, and USCG. |
What are the benefits of information sharing using eHIE? |
The more information your health care providers have about your medical history, the better. Sharing your electronic health information using eHIE tools can help you avoid carrying paper copies of your health record back and forth between providers. The instant exchange of information made possible by eHIE can also dramatically improve care coordination.
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Is sharing my electronic health information using VHIE tools safe? |
VA is committed to protecting your privacy. VHIE uses secure systems that comply with all federal privacy laws. Only community health care providers and organizations that are a part of VA's approved, trusted network may receive your electronic health information. Additionally, all VA and participating non-VA partners and providers work to protect your electronic health information and only share the appropriate electronic health information when it is needed. |
What types of health information can be shared via VHIE? |
Currently, VA and participating non-VA partners and providers can electronically share a variety of electronic health information including:
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How do I opt out? |
If you would prefer that VA not share your health information electronically, you must complete and submit VA Form 10-10164 to your facility's Release of Information Office (ROI). You may also submit this form online via My HealtheVet using a Premium Account. Please note: If you have not already done so, you will need to upgrade your My HealtheVet account to Premium status in order to securely submit this form. There is no deadline to opt out and you may do so at any time. If you previously opted out but want to resume secure and seamless sharing, you may also opt back in at any time by completing VA Form 10-10163. |
What happens if I opt out? |
Choosing to opt out will not affect your access to care from community providers. However, if you opt out, your providers will not receive your electronic medical records in real-time, which would be used to better coordinate your care. This may put your care coordination at risk. There is no deadline to opt out and you may do so at any time. |
Still have questions? Call the toll-free VHIE Information Line at 1-877-771-8537 Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-9 p.m. CST or feel free to email us at VHAVHIEPublicAffairs@va.gov. PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE ANY PERSONAL IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION (PII) OR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI), INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FORMS, PATIENT SSN (FULL OR LAST FOUR), AND/OR DATE OF BIRTH. This is an unsecured mailbox.