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VA Calls For Improvements To Blue Button Program

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plans on improving their Blue Button personal health record (PHR) program. To that end, VA Sec. Eric Shinseki is holding an open competition that will end either on Oct. 18 or when the VA announces a winner, whichever is the first to happen. The VA will give the winner $50,000.

The Blue Button program helps veterans who use health care provided by non-VA providers. The program also allows those using the VA health care system to share, either electronically or on paper, medical information with their personal caregivers. It is estimated about 300,000 veterans use the program.

The VA now has faith the Blue Button is stable and functional enough to allow veterans using non-VA health care facilities to access the system. The program operates through an effortless and uncomplicated Internet-based application. That application provides clinicians the ability to offer their patients Blue Button PHRs.

The competition winner must be able to show their submission is fully operational at the time it is judged. Further, it must be Internet-based, and must allow all physicians to give their patients a Blue Button PHR. Finally, the applicant must show both at least 25,000 U.S. based clinicians have installed their Blue Button PHR submission on "public-facing Internet sites" and is accessible to all patients.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.