It will soon be easier for you to get VA health care in your community without paperwork.

In or after January 2020, you won’t have to provide a signed, written authorization for VA to release your electronic VA health information to a participating community care provider.

VA will automatically begin sharing your health information with participating community care providers using the Veterans Health Information Exchange. The electronic system is secure and safe.

This change will make it easier for your health care team to make better decisions about your health care. It can also help you be safer, especially during emergencies.

No action needed

If you are OK with VA sharing your electronic patient information with your community care provider, you don’t have to do a thing. Your information will be shared automatically.

Form needed to OPT OUT of electronic sharing

However, if you do not want to share your information electronically, you must submit VA Form 10-10164 (Opt Out of Sharing).

THERE IS NO SEPT. 30 DEADLINE TO SUBMIT YOUR FORM 10-10164.

You can submit your Form 10-10164 at any time. VA will share your information until you submit your form.

If you submitted Form 10-0484 before September 30, you do NOT need to submit Form 10-10164.

You can return VA Form 10-10164 at any VA Medical Center. Just visit the Release of Information (ROI) office. You can also send it by mail. After VA processes your form, your VA health information will not be shared electronically with community providers you see for treatment.

Change your mind? No problem

You change your mind and share your health record with your participating community provider. Just complete and return VA Form 10-10163 (Opt In for Sharing) at any time.

You also can still ask VA to share your information with participating community care providers by fax or mail service.

Veterans living abroad

If you are a Veteran living and/or receiving care abroad, you don’t have to do anything. VA only shares health information with participating community care providers who treat you in the United States. If you plan on receiving care in the U.S. from VA and/or a participating community care provider, then you need to opt out by submitting VA Form 10-10164 if you do not want to share your health information.

If you don’t share your information, it will not affect your VA health care or your relationship with your VA health care provider.

DOWNLOAD AND PRINT FORMS HERE (on the right-hand side – under RESOURCES)

To learn more about health information sharing, or to download and print form 10-10164 (Opt Out of Sharing) or 10-10163 (Opt In for Sharing), visit www.va.gov/vler or contact the ROI Office at your local VA medical center.

Editor note: This blog has been updated on Oct. 21, 2019, from an earlier version.