Electronic Health Record Modernization
The Chillicothe VA and its associated clinics will transition to a new electronic health record (EHR), called the Federal EHR, in June 2026. This is the same system that the Department of Defense (DoD) uses, and among other benefits, it will better support service members as they transition from military service to Veteran status.
Things you May Notice During our EHR Transition
On June 6th, 2026, the Chillicothe VA Medical Center will transition to the new Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR). This system brings VA, the Department of War, and community health care system medical records together securely and in one place, making it easier for your VA care team to access your health information — without you having to track it down.
Things you may notice
After the launch of the Federal EHR, a few things may be different:
- Appointment summaries and other printed materials will look more modern.
- Care team names in secure messages may look different than before; we’re working to make team names clearer and easier for you to recognize.
- After go-live, prescription numbers on medication bottles or prescription packages that you have from before the transition will be different than they are in the online system. Once you get a new refill, the prescription numbers will match up.
- You’ll see trainers around the facility helping our staff learn the new system.
- You’ll notice new technology around the facility.
- Your appointments may take a little longer as staff are getting used to the new system. Thank you for your patience with us.
- Beginning on Wednesday, May 6th you may start to notice fewer text messages from VEText about your appointments. This is normal and part of the transition to the Federal EHR. As part of this change, some VEText features will be removed, including the ability to use your phone to check in for your appointments. You can always check in for your appointments by visiting the check-in desk.
Need help?
- Learn how to manage your VA health care online.
- If you need help with My HealtheVet on VA.gov, call
(TTY: ). We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. If you need help after these hours, call for 24/7 support. - For the pharmacy, call
. - For appointments, contact your PACT team.
Again, we appreciate your patience during this transition. These changes are designed to improve coordination and continuity of care for you and your fellow Veterans. Thank you for trusting the Chillicothe VA Medical Center with your health care.
What is an electronic health record?
An electronic health record, or EHR, is a technology that health care teams use to store and track patient information. It is a digital version of a patient’s chart and health record. Health care teams, including medical staff and schedulers, access the chart with a computer instead of on paper. Modern EHRs use a secure internet connection to make patient information accessible to any provider who is treating the patient, regardless of the facility the patient visits.
Learn how the Federal EHR benefits Veterans.
What is EHR Modernization?
VA’s legacy EHR system, the Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture and Computerized Patient Record System (VistA/CPRS), has been in use since the 1980s and operates differently at every VA facility. Because of this, VistA/CPRS at one facility does not always easily talk to VistA/CPRS at another facility, and it also cannot easily talk to the new Federal EHR that DoD uses. VA is transitioning each VA medical center from VistA/CPRS to the standardized Federal EHR system, which can securely and effectively share information between VA, DoD, other federal agencies, and participating community care providers. Veterans deserve an EHR integrated across all VA and DoD components, which is exactly what VA will deliver with the Federal EHR.
What do Veterans need to know?
You can prepare for the transition to the Federal EHR by ensuring your information, including communications preferences and contact information, is updated in your VA profile at VA.gov. Sign in to your VA profile using your Login.gov or ID.me account to confirm your information is accurate before the Federal EHR launches at your facility.
Legal name changes should be reported to your VA facility alongside a copy of your current photo ID. Learn more at How to change your legal name on file with VA.
If you receive pay from DoD and have changed your legal name, you must also update your information in your DoD personnel record for those changes to appear in DEERS and the Federal EHR. For more information on making DoD updates, visit How do I change my name in my DEERS record?
Learn about other things you can do to prepare for the transition to the Federal EHR.
What's Not Changing for Veterans?
You will continue to use the My HealtheVet patient portal on VA.gov, where you can manage your health care in the same place you manage your other VA benefits and services. Learn more about My HealtheVet on VA.gov.
Guides and Resources
How the Federal EHR Benefits Veterans
More Information About EHRM
