Name
#212 Improving Access to Environmental Health Services: An Evaluation of the VET-HOME Program
Speakers
Content Presented On Behalf Of:
VHA/VA
Services/Agencies represented
Veterans Health Administration/Veterans Affairs (VHA/VA)
Session Type
Poster
Date
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Start Time
5:00 PM
End Time
7:00 PM
Location
Prince Georges Expo Hall E
Focus Areas/Topics
Technology
Learning Outcomes
• Upon review, the participant will be able to describe the VET-HOME program.
• Upon review, the participant will be able to summarize how VET-HOME assisted in the completion of the backlog of AHOBPR exams.
• Upon review, the participant will be able to describe how a telehealth program like VET-HOME expands access to care for service-connected, rural, and previously unenrolled Veterans.
• Upon review, the participant will be able to summarize how VET-HOME assisted in the completion of the backlog of AHOBPR exams.
• Upon review, the participant will be able to describe how a telehealth program like VET-HOME expands access to care for service-connected, rural, and previously unenrolled Veterans.
Session Currently Live
Description
Veterans exposed to environmental hazards have faced challenges accessing specialized healthcare. In response to Veteran concerns and in recognition of the need for efficient and expanded access to exposure-related evaluations, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) launched the Veterans Exposure Team-Health Outcomes Military Exposures (VET-HOME) program. This evaluation examines VET-HOME’s impact on the completion of Airborne Hazard Open Burn Pit Registry (AHOBPR) evaluations from October 2021 to September 2024 through reduction in scheduling delays, enhanced outreach and implementation of virtual exposure assessments. Guided by the Policy Diffusion Theory, the authors reviewed 48,470 interactions for 26,801 unique Veterans to resolve 20,408 cases from the AHOBPR backlog. VET-HOME reached a demographically representative population and effectively engaged service-connected, rural, and previously unenrolled Veterans. There were statistically significant data points of Veterans completing exams and/or enrollment into VHA healthcare across the demographic categories of service connection, age, race and rurality. Results suggest virtual, policy-driven care models like VET-HOME can improve access to environmental health services and guide broader telehealth expansion within the VHA system.