What Is the Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR)?

The Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR) is a unified digital system for storing and sharing veterans’ medical information. The VA is transitioning from its older VistA system to this new EHR, which is also used by the Department of Defense (DoD). This change is designed to help healthcare providers across VA and DoD facilities access the same up-to-date patient records, regardless of where you receive care.

For veterans, this means your medical history, prescriptions, lab results, and service treatment records will be easier for your care team to review and update. The goal is to reduce paperwork, eliminate duplicate tests, and avoid mistakes caused by missing or outdated information.

How Will the EHR Change Affect Your VA Healthcare?

The main benefit of the Federal EHR is improved care coordination. If you see specialists at different VA clinics or transition from DoD to VA care, your providers will have instant access to your full health record. This can help prevent medication errors and ensure treatment decisions are based on your complete history.

Administrative errors, such as lost paperwork or mismatched records, should decrease. You may also notice faster processing of referrals, lab results, and prescription renewals. The EHR is designed to support secure online access, so you can review your own records through VA’s patient portals.

  • Faster record sharing: No more waiting for paper files to be transferred between clinics.
  • Better continuity of care: Providers see your full history, including service-connected conditions and disability ratings.
  • Fewer errors: Digital records reduce the risk of mistakes in medications or procedures.

What Should Veterans Do During the EHR Transition?

While the VA is working to make the transition as smooth as possible, you may notice some changes at your VA clinic or hospital. Appointments may take a little longer as staff adjust to the new system. It’s a good idea to bring a list of your current medications and any recent medical records to your appointments, just in case.

If you use VA’s online health portals, such as My HealtheVet, check for updates on how to access your records. Some features may change as the EHR rollout continues. If you spot any errors in your records, report them to your VA care team right away.

For those filing VA disability claims, the EHR should make it easier for claims processors to access your medical evidence. This may speed up decisions on claims for service-connected conditions. For more on the claims process, see our VA claims guide and disability ratings hub.

How Does the EHR Impact TRICARE and Military Retirement?

If you’re a retiree using both VA healthcare and TRICARE, the Federal EHR can help coordinate care between VA and DoD providers. Your military service records and treatment history will be more accessible, reducing gaps in care when you move between systems.

This is especially important for retirees with chronic conditions or complex medical needs. The EHR transition supports a smoother healthcare experience as you shift from active duty to veteran status. For more on retirement benefits, visit our military retirement hub.

Where to Find More Information and Help

The VA provides regular updates on the EHR transition at its facilities and online. If you have questions about your records, ask your VA care team or visit your local VA medical center’s patient advocate office. For general questions about VA benefits and healthcare, check our explainers index for plain-English guides.

As the EHR rollout continues, stay proactive: review your records, communicate with your providers, and report any issues promptly. This will help ensure you get the safest and most effective care possible during and after the transition.