Offering Veterans VA Care Closer to Home
ATLAS has teamed up with public and private organizations to improve Veterans' access to VA health care by offering them convenient locations to receive VA care closer to home. This option benefits Veterans living in rural areas, reducing obstacles such as long travel times to appointments and poor internet connectivity at home.
How It Works
ATLAS offers convenient locations for Veterans to access VA health care in their communities. At these locations, Veterans will find comfortable, private spaces equipped with internet access and the technology needed to meet with VA providers through VA Video Connect, VA’s secure videoconferencing app. Once Veterans arrive at an ATLAS site, they will be greeted by an on-site attendant who will help them check in to their appointment and troubleshoot basic technical issues. However, the attendants are not VA employees and will not be present once the appointment begins, nor will they have access to Veterans’ medical or personal information.
Who Can Access ATLAS
For a Veteran to attend an appointment at an ATLAS site, the site must be associated with the VA Medical Center (VAMC) in which the Veteran is enrolled in care. The associated VAMC determines which clinical services are offered at the ATLAS site, which may include primary care, mental health, and specialty services. Beneficiaries who receive care through VA can visit ATLAS sites for select VA appointments.
ATLAS Attendant Training
The Connected Care Academy training provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities of attendants who support an ATLAS site. All ATLAS attendants must complete this training before starting in their position.
Connected Care Academy Training (PDF)
If you are an ATLAS site in need of technical assistance, contact the ATLAS Office of Connected Care Help Desk at 833-822-8527 or 833-VA-ATLAS, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Eastern time.