§1709A Teleconsultation

Summary

The Secretary must start a teleconsultation program so VA facilities can get remote mental health and traumatic brain injury (TBI) assessments when they cannot do them unless they hire outside providers or pay providers on a fee basis. The Secretary must work with professional groups to create technical and care rules. The Secretary must also let a facility hire or pay an outside provider instead of using teleconsultation when the facility can’t do the assessment otherwise and hiring outside help is better for the veteran’s care. Teleconsultation means a specialist uses telecommunications to help another health care provider make a diagnosis or give treatment.