Veterans Health Information Exchange (VHIE)

VHIE Program Overview

Wouldn’t it be great if all your health care providers could seamlessly and securely access the information they need to keep you healthy? 

Using VHIE tools, they can!

Veterans Health Information Exchange (VHIE) tools give your health care providers a more complete view of your health record to help them make more informed treatment decisions. The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), the Department of Defense (DoD), and other participating provider organizations who are a part of your care team can safely and securely request and receive electronic health information through a secure gateway the Joint Health Information Exchange (joint HIE). Participating provider organizations include some single-physician offices to multi-hospital systems outside of the federal health care systems (for example, the Department of Defense, or DOD; Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA; and Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Coast Guard, or USCG) that may provide care to VA Patients. VA only shares your health information with participating provider organizations, when they are treating you.

Health information exchanges (HIEs) are a common tool used across the health care industry to improve continuity of care, reduce duplicative tests, and avoid clinical error when patients see health care providers from different practices or networks. VHIE’s secure system also eliminates the need to send paper medical records by mail, or to carry your records to appointments with participating providers.

To make electronic health information sharing more seamless, VA changed its rules for electronic health information sharing in accordance with Section 132 (h) of the VA MISSION Act of 2018.  VA seamlessly and securely shares your health information with participating providers who are a part of your care team.

Seamless, secure sharing using VHIE means your care team will be able to:

• Better understand your health history and be able to focus more time on what is important to you.
• Develop safe, more effective treatment plans.
• Work together to keep you safe and improve your overall health.

VHIE Sharing Options

You do not need to take any action for VA to start coordinating your care more seamlessly so that you have a better, safer experience. If you do not want your care team to receive your information via VHIE, you may opt out of electronic health information sharing. 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, seamless sharing, you may opt back in. Visit the VHIE Sharing Options page to learn more. 

Privacy and HIE 

VA is committed to protecting the privacy of all VA Patient health information. VA only shares health information with specific participating providers when a VA Patient is seeking medical care. Only participating providers and organizations that have partnership agreements with VA and are part of VA’s approved, trusted network may receive VA health information. VA's Health Information Exchange, like all other VA health IT systems, complies with all federal patient privacy laws including, but not limited to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). You can find VA's full Notice of Privacy Practices here.

To learn more, view the VHIE Veteran factsheet or visit the VHIE Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. For a complete listing of trusted organizations VA exchanges health information with, visit the VHIE Participating Providers page.  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.