VA Telehealth Cancer Care Clinic First of its Kind in America

Northville, MI (Law Firm Newswire) April 22, 2020 – A VA facility in Pennsylvania has become the first telehealth cancer care clinic in the United States, increasing patient access to expert oncology care. This clinic is part of the VA’s innovative telehealth network, the largest and strongest in the nation.

This program connects the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona, Pennsylvania with the VA Pittsburgh Medical Center. Patients who are nearer to Altoona, which is one hundred miles from Pittsburgh, can receive cancer care and chemotherapy treatments from top oncology doctors without the need to travel to the city.

“Telehealth eases the burden that getting healthcare poses to many veterans, especially those who have a significant issue, like a cancer diagnosis,” said James G. Fausone, lead attorney at Legal Help for Veterans in Northville, Michigan. “Beside the physical toll travel takes on a body that is already not well, there are financial and logistical aspects that can be very taxing on veterans and their families. Telehealth lets them focus on getting better a little more.”

Cancer has become an increasingly common disease among veterans, with 40,000 new cancer diagnoses reported every year. Cancer care is a top priority for the VA, as it now comprises one of their most utilized services.

VA facilities across the country have already embraced telehealth for other kinds of care and patient use is surging. It already has the largest and most well-established telemedicine network in the United States. VA telehealth kiosks in VFW and American Legion posts remote areas have been so successful that the VA is planning to expand them into select Wal-Mart locations too. From 2018 to 2019 the number of VA patients using telehealth services rose 17 percent, while virtual visits made through the VA’s Video Connect App jumped 235 percent.

“The VA’s innovative work in telehealth is being looked upon by facilities in the private sector as a model of innovation. That is impressive,” continued Fausone.

Legal Help for Veterans is a veteran owned and operated law firm that specializes in VA disability claims. Contact them at 1.800.693.4800 or online at https://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/

Learn more at http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC 41700 West Six Mile Road, Suite 101 Northville, MI 48168 Toll Free Phone: 800.693.4800