{"id":219,"date":"2022-07-17T16:08:37","date_gmt":"2022-07-17T20:08:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.va.gov\/ehr-modernization\/?page_id=219"},"modified":"2026-10-27T15:03:51","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T19:03:51","slug":"frequently-asked-question","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/digital.va.gov\/ehr-modernization\/frequently-asked-question\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:4rem;--awb-padding-bottom:4rem;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-justify-content-center fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1497.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 awb-sticky awb-sticky-medium awb-sticky-large fusion_builder_column_1_4 1_4 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:25%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:7.68%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:1.25rem;--awb-spacing-left-large:7.68%;--awb-width-medium:25%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:7.68%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:7.68%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;--awb-sticky-offset:125px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><nav class=\"awb-menu awb-menu_column awb-menu_em-hover mobile-mode-collapse-to-button awb-menu_icons-left awb-menu_dc-yes mobile-trigger-fullwidth-off awb-menu_mobile-toggle awb-menu_indent-left awb-menu_mt-align-flex-start mobile-size-full-absolute loading mega-menu-loading awb-menu_desktop awb-menu_dropdown awb-menu_expand-right awb-menu_transition-fade\" style=\"--awb-font-size:1rem;--awb-min-height:45px;--awb-bg:var(--awb-color2);--awb-items-padding-top:.5rem;--awb-items-padding-bottom:.5rem;--awb-items-padding-left:.5rem;--awb-border-left:4px;--awb-active-color:var(--awb-color4);--awb-active-bg:var(--awb-color3);--awb-active-border-left:4px;--awb-active-border-color:var(--awb-color4);--awb-submenu-bg:var(--awb-color2);--awb-icons-hover-color:var(--awb-color4);--awb-main-justify-content:flex-start;--awb-mobile-active-bg:var(--awb-color3);--awb-mobile-active-color:var(--awb-color8);--awb-trigger-padding-bottom:1rem;--awb-trigger-padding-left:0px;--awb-mobile-trigger-background-color:var(--awb-color2);--awb-mobile-justify:flex-start;--awb-mobile-caret-left:auto;--awb-mobile-caret-right:0;--awb-fusion-font-family-typography:var(--awb-custom_typography_12-font-family);--awb-fusion-font-weight-typography:var(--awb-custom_typography_12-font-weight);--awb-fusion-font-style-typography:var(--awb-custom_typography_12-font-style);--awb-fusion-font-family-submenu-typography:inherit;--awb-fusion-font-style-submenu-typography:normal;--awb-fusion-font-weight-submenu-typography:400;--awb-fusion-font-family-mobile-typography:inherit;--awb-fusion-font-style-mobile-typography:normal;--awb-fusion-font-weight-mobile-typography:400;\" aria-label=\"Resources\" data-breakpoint=\"600\" data-count=\"0\" data-transition-type=\"fade\" data-transition-time=\"300\" data-expand=\"right\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"awb-menu__m-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"menu-resources\"><span class=\"awb-menu__m-toggle-inner\"><span class=\"collapsed-nav-text\">About EHRM<\/span><span class=\"awb-menu__m-collapse-icon\"><span class=\"awb-menu__m-collapse-icon-open fa-chevron-circle-down far\"><\/span><span class=\"awb-menu__m-collapse-icon-close fa-times-circle fal\"><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/button><ul id=\"menu-resources\" class=\"fusion-menu awb-menu__main-ul awb-menu__main-ul_column\"><li  id=\"menu-item-3635\"  class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-3635 awb-menu__li awb-menu__main-li awb-menu__main-li_regular\"  data-item-id=\"3635\"><span class=\"awb-menu__main-background-default awb-menu__main-background-default_fade\"><\/span><span class=\"awb-menu__main-background-active awb-menu__main-background-active_fade\"><\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/digital.va.gov\/ehr-modernization\/ehr-deployment-schedule\/\" class=\"awb-menu__main-a awb-menu__main-a_regular\"><span class=\"menu-text\">EHR Deployment Schedule<\/span><\/a><\/li><li  id=\"menu-item-3884\"  class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-3884 awb-menu__li awb-menu__main-li awb-menu__main-li_regular\"  data-item-id=\"3884\"><span class=\"awb-menu__main-background-default awb-menu__main-background-default_fade\"><\/span><span class=\"awb-menu__main-background-active awb-menu__main-background-active_fade\"><\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/digital.va.gov\/ehr-modernization\/veteran-resources\/\" class=\"awb-menu__main-a awb-menu__main-a_regular\"><span class=\"menu-text\">Veteran Resources<\/span><\/a><\/li><li  id=\"menu-item-348\"  class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-348 awb-menu__li awb-menu__main-li awb-menu__main-li_regular\"  data-item-id=\"348\"><span class=\"awb-menu__main-background-default awb-menu__main-background-default_fade\"><\/span><span class=\"awb-menu__main-background-active awb-menu__main-background-active_fade\"><\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/digital.va.gov\/ehr-modernization\/frequently-asked-question\/\" class=\"awb-menu__main-a awb-menu__main-a_regular\"><span class=\"menu-text\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/span><\/a><\/li><li  id=\"menu-item-345\"  class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-345 awb-menu__li awb-menu__main-li awb-menu__main-li_regular\"  data-item-id=\"345\"><span class=\"awb-menu__main-background-default awb-menu__main-background-default_fade\"><\/span><span class=\"awb-menu__main-background-active awb-menu__main-background-active_fade\"><\/span><a  href=\"https:\/\/digital.va.gov\/ehr-modernization\/congressional-information\/\" class=\"awb-menu__main-a awb-menu__main-a_regular\"><span class=\"menu-text\">Congressional Information<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav>\n<\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_2_3 2_3 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:66.666666666667%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.88%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:1.25rem;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.88%;--awb-width-medium:66.666666666667%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.88%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.88%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1 content\"><p>Below are answers to frequently asked questions about VA\u2019s Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program and the Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR).<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What is an electronic health record?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>An EHR is a technology used by health care providers to store and track patient data. It is a digital version of a patient\u2019s chart and health record.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What is the Electronic Health Record Modernization program?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>VA\u2019s Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program is managing the transition from the department\u2019s current medical records system, the Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA), to the Federal EHR. The EHRM program will transition VA from more than 130 instances of VistA to a single Federal EHR shared by VA, the Department of War (DOW), the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and participating community care providers.<\/p>\n<p>VA\u2019s EHRM Integration Office (EHRM-IO), in partnership with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), is working to establish awareness of the transition and the knowledge and skills VA facility leaders and staff will need to successfully adopt and use the new system.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Why is VA transitioning to the Federal EHR system?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The Federal EHR implementation and accompanying modernization of the technologies that connect to it will support VA\u2019s mission into the future, enabling the continued provision of high-quality, safe, and efficient health care to those who have served in the nation\u2019s military.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Clinical staff will have greater access to comprehensive Veteran health information in the systems they use every day.<\/li>\n<li>A single Federal EHR will better support nationally standardized health care delivery, allowing innovations and best practices to more effectively be identified, shared, and adopted.<\/li>\n<li>Consistent metrics obtained from an enterprise EHR will improve efficiency and health system management.<\/li>\n<li>The VA workforce will be able to more easily transfer between care settings (both virtually and in-person), supporting Veterans\u2019 unique needs, bringing clinical expertise to Veterans regardless of their location, and better matching clinical supply with demand.<\/li>\n<li>Health care technology advancements can be implemented faster.<\/li>\n<li>Partnering with a commercial EHR vendor will help VA sustain the modernization of its health IT infrastructure into the future.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Where is the Federal EHR currently in use?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The Federal EHR is now in use at 19 VA medical centers (VAMCs), including a joint DOW\/VA facility, 107 associated clinics, and 165 remote services (such as VA call centers, consolidated patient account centers, and clinical resource hubs, which support the medical centers and clinics). To learn more, see the <a href=\"https:\/\/digital.va.gov\/ehr-modernization\/ehr-deployment-schedule\/#2020\">Federal EHR Deployment Schedule<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>When will the Federal EHR be deployed at my facility?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Full implementation of the Federal EHR system at every VA facility is expected to be complete as early as 2031. To learn more, see the <a href=\"https:\/\/digital.va.gov\/ehr-modernization\/ehr-deployment-schedule\/\">Federal EHR Deployment Schedule<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What are the benefits of the Federal EHR for Veterans?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Adopting the same EHR system as DOW and other federal agencies is a Veteran-centric approach that will support service members as they transition from military service. A shared system means that health information entered into a Veteran\u2019s health record by a doctor, pharmacy, or lab can be accessed by providers and staff at other facilities when they need it.<\/p>\n<p>Additional information can be found in the <a href=\"https:\/\/digital.va.gov\/ehr-modernization\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/04\/How_the_Federal_EHR_Benefits_Vets.pdf\">How the Federal EHR Benefits Veterans<\/a> one-pager.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What are the benefits of the Federal EHR for VA?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The Federal EHR transformation will support VA\u2019s mission into the future, enabling the department to continue providing high-quality, safe, and efficient health care to those who have served in the nation\u2019s military. The Federal EHR provides a wider view of a Veteran\u2019s health record, enabling staff to make more informed care decisions, pinpoint gaps in care, improve coordination, and match Veterans with the right care programs.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>How can Veterans prepare for the Federal EHR system?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Veterans can prepare for the launch of the Federal EHR by making sure their communications preferences, contact information, and addresses are up to date in their VA profile at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.va.gov\/\" rel=\"noopener\">VA.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Veterans who have changed their legal name and currently receive pay from DOW need to update their information in DOW\u2019s Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). Examples include Veterans who are members of the Reserve or National Guard, civilian employees, or Nonappropriated Fund employees. For more information and how to make updates, visit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.va.gov\/resources\/how-do-i-change-my-name-in-my-deers-record\/\" rel=\"noopener\">How Do I Change My Name In My DEERS Record<\/a>?<\/p>\n<p>Additional information can be found on the <a href=\"https:\/\/digital.va.gov\/ehr-modernization\/veteran-resources\/\">Veteran Resources page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What precautions are being taken to keep Veteran data secure as the Federal EHR is implemented nationwide?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>VA is committed to guarding the privacy and security of Veteran information, and the Federal EHR is no exception. VA\u2019s online patient portals are secure, and the department follows strict security policies and practices to protect personal health information. Only Veterans and their VA health care team will have access to this information.<\/p>\n<p>VA complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the HIPAA Privacy Rule and the Privacy Act of 1974. Protecting Veteran health information is a top priority for VA, and Oracle Health and VA have established a secure transfer process between VistA and the Oracle Health data center that is compliant with national cybersecurity standards.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"100-width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"hf_cat_page":[],"class_list":["post-219","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"meta_box":{"external_links":"0","endorsement":"0","first_name":"","middle_name":"","last_name":"","official_title":"","is_acting":"","bio_pronouns":"","radio_xnnlykqfrzj":"","biography_status":"","month_started":"","year_started":"","year_departed":"","month_departed":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/digital.va.gov\/ehr-modernization\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/219","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/digital.va.gov\/ehr-modernization\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/digital.va.gov\/ehr-modernization\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digital.va.gov\/ehr-modernization\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digital.va.gov\/ehr-modernization\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=219"}],"version-history":[{"count":48,"href":"https:\/\/digital.va.gov\/ehr-modernization\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/219\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3993,"href":"https:\/\/digital.va.gov\/ehr-modernization\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/219\/revisions\/3993"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/digital.va.gov\/ehr-modernization\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=219"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"hf_cat_page","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digital.va.gov\/ehr-modernization\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hf_cat_page?post=219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}