VA Mobile Health Newsletter (March 2014)

Important news and information for our pilot participants

Coming Soon: Updates to Family Caregiver Apps

In the coming weeks, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will electronically send important updates to your VA-loaned iPad. You will need these updates because of changes to Apple’s operating system (OS).

You will receive more information in the next issue of our newsletter, which will be sent before you receive the updates on your iPad.

VA to Begin Making Caregiver Apps Available Soon

Later this spring, VA plans to make some of the VA Mobile Health Family Caregiver Apps available to Veterans and Caregivers around the country. Your use of and feedback about the Apps has helped VA make them better and easier to use for all Veterans and Caregivers.

The Apps will be available for download through an online VA App Store. Some of the first Apps that will be released include Summary of Care, Mobile Blue Button and Launchpad. We really appreciate your help in making these Apps available to a larger audience.

More information will be available in upcoming issues of this newsletter and the VA Mobile Health Website at http://mobilehealth.va.gov.

VA Providers Begin to Use Mobile Devices

As part of a new VA program, VA health care providers at four VA medical facilities recently received mobile tablets. This program aims to improve VA health care by using mobile technology to give clinicians and patients new ways to communicate.

The initiative, known as the VA Mobile Health Provider Program, distributed mobile devices at two medical facilities in the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System and the Washington, DC and Orlando VA Medical Centers (VAMCs).

In the program’s first phase, the mobile tablets have some commercially available health mobile applications as well as VA email and other software.

In the program’s second phase, the tablets will be loaded with VA-developed Apps.

Based on the lessons learned at these first three sites, VA will deploy mobile devices and VA Apps to 16 additional VA medical facilities over the next six months.

Keeping Your iPad Safe

When you first received your VA-loaned iPad, your package included a black, rubberized protective case and manufacturer instructions on how to install your iPad in the case. This case will protect your iPad from accidents, such as spilling water on it or dropping it.

A few Caregivers have reported that their iPads have been damaged. Some of these accidents might have been avoided if the case had been installed. Unfortunately, VA cannot replace damaged iPads.

As part of the User Agreement, please report any damage to your iPad to the Family Caregiver Help Desk toll-free at (877) 470-5947. The Help Desk is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time.

How to Get a DS Logon Level 2 (Premium) Account

You need a DS Logon Level 2 (Premium) Account before you can log into any VA App that connects to VA’s Electronic Health Record (EHR). DS Logon Accounts are available for Servicemembers, Veterans and Caregivers.

There are currently two types of DS Logon accounts:

1)     DS Logon Level 1 (Basic) Account provides limited access to features on some Web sites.

2)     DS Logon Level 2 (Premium) Account is required before you can view your personal data in VA and DoD systems, including VA’s Mobile Apps.

You must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) to obtain a DS Logon account of either level. If you are not enrolled in DEERS, call the VBA National Call Center at 1-800-821-1000.

If you do not have a DS Logon Level 2 (Premium) Account, or if you are not sure, visit the My Access Center site for more information or to register or verify your access: https://myaccess.dmdc.osd.mil/identitymanagement/authenticate.do?execution=e2s1 

Please be aware that, for your protection, the process for acquiring a DS Logon Level 2 (Premium) Account requires your identity to be authenticated through a process called Remote Proofing. This process can be completed either in-person or online, and may not be immediate.

During the online Remote Proofing process, you will be asked questions that may seem personal, such as where you attend school, where you lived previously, and cars that you have owned in the past. This information is a security precaution needed to verify your identity.