WASHINGTON, November 28, 2023 - Oklahoma City VA recently launched a new app called “VA Health Chat” to help Veterans “chat” directly to health care professionals. VA is constantly developing new ways to improve communication with primary care doctors, pharmacy and all communication services provided to Oklahoma City Veterans.
The goal of VA Health Chat is to improve Veteran satisfaction and improve timeliness of getting Veterans scheduled for their appointments with providers outside VA with Community Care appointments.
“VA Health Chat provides a more convenient method to contact VA’s Community Care,” said Martha Tichenor, community care manager. “It provides flexibility in how to communicate, and allows us to add that personal touch for us to reach out and ‘chat’ with Veterans.
“We leave a lot of voicemails and have difficulty reaching some Veterans to get their preferences for different providers, find out if they have an appointment scheduled or attended their appointments. With VA Health Chat, we can offer another way for Veterans to return that critical information and move forward with their consult quicker and easier.”
App connects you with online messaging or text
“The VA Health Chat app connects you with online messaging or text with a VA health care professional who can assist you, sometimes within minutes of sending the message,” said Erica Love, connected care specialist. “If a provider from your assigned care team needs to be contacted, the health care professional can send a message on your behalf and relay the messages.”
Another communication tool is the Annie app for Veterans, which sends automated text messages such as medication reminders and tips for reducing stress.
VA Health Chat is Oklahoma City VA’s newest digital app developed to improve communication, have real time responses, and the goal of this team is to continuously improve upon the support provided to Veterans health care needs.