Health systems that use Epic can now connect to the Veterans Affairs Department’s External Provider Scheduling system, allowing VA staff to book veterans’ specialist appointments directly.
The connection lets VA staff book a veteran’s appointment with a participating community provider in one step instead of by phone and fax. When an organization joins EPS, VA staff can see that provider’s scheduling system in real time. Most veterans get at least some of their care outside the VA.
EPS is open to provider organizations on any EHR. Epic organizations connect through an integration with scheduling company WellHive.
Evansville, Ind.-based Deaconess Health System was an early adopter of EPS.
“By aligning organizations around a shared goal and embracing innovative solutions, we have improved access to high-quality specialty care for veterans while redefining what integrated care delivery can achieve,” Andrew Beck, system director of business development at Deaconess, said in an Oct. 19 news release.
The scheduling link builds on years of interoperability work between the VA, Defense Department and Epic customers. In August, organizations on Epic exchanged more than 20 million patient records with the VA and DOD.
Health systems on Epic can also check a patient’s veteran status with the VA automatically. Over the past year, that capability helped care teams identify more than 300,000 veterans and connect them to benefits. The capability was created as part of the federal Veteran Interoperability Pledge, and Epic organizations make up most of the pledge’s members.
