Vietnam Veteran embraces VA login changes

Adapting to change 

Walter H. “Skip” Williams Jr., an 80-year-old Navy Veteran, served honorably during two tours in Vietnam aboard the USS Snohomish County. As an Electronics Technician (ET3), he supported critical missions by safely transporting supplies and equipment.

Today, Williams is navigating a new challenge: updating his login for My HealtheVet.

VA is committed to making it as easy as possible for Veterans to manage their benefits and health care online. As part of this commitment, and to streamline Veterans’ sign-in options, VA will transition to two modern, secure sign-in options starting in January 2025: Login.gov or ID.me.

This change simplifies access, strengthens security and meets federal cybersecurity standards with multifactor authentication.

“I don’t like change,” Williams said. “But I knew I needed to get started.” 

Why Veterans use My HealtheVet

For Williams, My HealtheVet (MHV) has been a vital tool since 2013. My HealtheVet is VA’s online health care portal, offering Veterans secure access to their health information anytime, anywhere.

He uses MHV to refill prescriptions, check lab results, verify appointments and message his VA care team. The platform makes managing health care more convenient, especially for Veterans who prefer managing tasks online.

Overcoming obstacles

Although Williams has been using My HealtheVet for over a decade, updating his login presented a learning opportunity. His biggest challenge was uploading a clear photo of his driver’s license.

“I had trouble at first,” he said. “But the My HealtheVet coordinator told me to take my time and try again.”

Williams successfully completed the process after learning to avoid taking a photo with glare and ensure the entire document was visible. While it took some patience, he said the experience boosted his confidence with technology.

Benefits of the new system

The updated login system lets Veterans access multiple VA services with a single login, eliminating the need to remember multiple usernames and passwords.

These login updates also extend to the VA: Health and Benefits mobile app, which lets Veterans manage their health care, benefits and payments directly from their phone.

Login.gov and ID.me accounts can also be used for other government services, like Social Security, making them even more helpful.

Encouraging fellow Veterans

Williams encourages his fellow Veterans to approach the process with confidence.

“Don’t be worried about making mistakes because you can’t mess it up,” he said. “Someone can always fix it. If all else fails, just start over.”

For Williams, the experience was more than just completing a task—it was proof that persistence pays off.

“It’s given me a lot more confidence to try different tasks on my computer,” he said.

Important deadlines 

Here’s what’s changing for VA websites and mobile apps: 

• After January 31, 2025, VA will remove the option to sign in with a My HealtheVet user ID and password. 
• After September 30, 2025, VA will remove the option to sign in with a DS Logon username and password.

Veterans who have not yet transitioned can access their information after creating a Login.gov or ID.me account.

Helping Veterans transition

“Our goal is to ensure no Veteran loses access to their health care information,” said Ashley Gray, a My HealtheVet program support assistant. “Once Veterans start the process, it’s easier than expected.”

Veterans can find the latest information, step-by-step instructions and downloadable resources at prepare for VA’s secure sign-in changes or creating an account for VA.gov.

Oklahoma City VA Health Care System’s My HealtheVet team can also help Veterans with step-by-step guidance and troubleshooting support. If you need help using My HealtheVet, you can contact My HealtheVet Coordinator Lisa Mosely by phone at 405-456-3673.

Jesus Flores is a VISN 19 Creative Task Force writer and editor, and a Marine Corps Veteran.