WASHINGTON -- To further reduce the time it takes to process veterans' claims for disability compensation, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) developed new software that will help veterans' service organizations (VSO) prepare claims on behalf of veterans.
With the new software, a VSO representative who holds power of attorney for a veteran will be able to review medical information in the veteran’s electronic record at VA health facilities – information that is needed to prepare claims for benefits based on medical conditions.
“We understand how valuable VSO assistance can be to a veteran filing a claim,” said Gary Christopherson, chief information officer, Veterans Health Administration. “We also understand how important privacy and confidential information is to veterans and the new software also provides that security."
VA has incorporated two features to safeguard veterans’ medical records. First, the software provides read-only access to medical files, which are protected by federal law. Users will not be able to add, delete or modify any information in the veteran’s medical record. Second, the software limits a user’s access to the medical records of only those patients for whom he or she holds a valid power of attorney.
Currently, VSO representatives with power of attorney can request medical records in paper form from VA. With the new system, representatives will be able to review information electronically as well, speeding the claims process for veterans. Representatives will have access to information from all VA hospitals in which a veteran was treated.
VA plans to release the new software in late summer 2002.
