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VA RIN: 2900-AS20 Publication ID: Fall 2024 
Title: ●Telehealth Grant Program 
Abstract:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend title 38, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), by adding part 84 to implement a new authority to establish a telehealth grant program. This new authority requires VA to enter into agreements, and expand existing agreements, for the expansion of VA telehealth capabilities and provision of telehealth services by establishing telehealth access stations in rural, highly rural, or medically underserved areas, to the extent practicable. In accordance with E.O. 14094, VA’s Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations (ATLAS) pilot program served as a model to help establish the AS20 Telehealth Grant Program. The ATLAS program and the Veterans Experience Office has gathered feedback from Veterans through focus groups and interviews which were convened by telephone and MS Teams meetings FY 2022. For the Veteran interviews, the team identified and reached out to 471 Veterans. To assemble Veteran focus groups, the team extended invitations by networks. Out of the 471, 19.5% agreed to provide their comments about telehealth and VA. Of the 19.5%, 83 Veterans agreed to take part in one of the 15 focus groups. Additionally in FY 2024, VA’s Veterans Experience Office (VEO), in concert with Office of Connected Care (OCC), engaged Veterans and VHA staff to inform on the barriers to telehealth impeding on the goal to provide a seamless, high-quality health care experience to all Veterans through integrated telehealth in Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations (ATLAS). VEO conducted and applied, qualitative research using a design-led approach through 6 site visits to 2 universities and 4 Veteran Service Organizations (VFW and American Legion) ATLAS sites. Data compiled from both focus and site visits were utilized to help draft the AS20 rule. We also propose to amend 38 CFR part 17 by exempting all telehealth services from the copayment requirement for veterans required to pay copayments.

 
Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs(VA)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 38 CFR 17.108(e)    38 CFR 17.108    38 CFR 62.2    38 CFR 79.5   
Legal Authority: 38 U.S.C. 2011    42 U.S.C. 254b(b)(3)   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  12/00/2024 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Information URL: www.regulations.gov  
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Leonie Heyworth
Deputy Director for Clinical Services, Telehealth Services, Office of Connected Care
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Ave. NW,,
Washington, DC 20420
Phone:202 461-6525
Email: leonie.heyworth@va.gov