Virtual care video visits allow patients and health care
providers to hold scheduled medical appointments where they
can see hear and speak to one another. Each person uses a
camera and a microphone enabled tablet, smartphone or computer.
The VA uses a system known as VA Video Connect. Newly weds
Navy Veteran Michael McManus and his wife. Brenda, who is
eligible for VA care due to Mike's disability rating, used
this service over the past several months for a variety of
care. [Mike] I think uh I believe I started during COVID uh as I
was seeking, I mean not seeking I was receiving treatment and
uh Cumberland near Camp Hill or or you know across the river
from where we live and so I started receiving it during
COVID and I as I assumed many other people did and it's been
a great benefit. Because I'm not one of these who like to go to
the doctor first, so I can sit in my office and turn on the PC
screen and just talk to somebody. It's it's a lot more
convenient for me. [Brenda] Now I'm doing physical therapy both at
the hospital and VA Video Connect so through the whole
process, they made my fear and concerns just go away. By being
able to talk like this. And if it wasn't for VA video connect
I wouldn't have the experience that I did and my needs would not have been
been met so the VA Video Connect, I highly recommend it.
[Narrator] They found the service easy to set up and
Lebanon Medical Center personnel were there to assist.
[Mike] I was a little concerned about the platform in which it was
going to be used so you know the initial time you know
they sent me the link and there was a phone number to call.
Clicked on the link. The gentleman walked me through.
I mean anyone with. With any type of technical knowledge at
all, however, minor can use this. [Brenda] The sign up whenever they
were telling me cause I was the first one to use it cause I
thought that in January. They send you an email OK and
it's the setup and you have to make sure that you get in and
sign up. So that part's pretty easy. You just click a link on the
initial email and you set up your system and what's great is
if you're sure or not sure that you're actually gonna be
able to use the system. The guy calls you the very next day and
says, "Okay. we're gonna walk through and make sure this
connection works. It's really simple. So don't feel nervous
about I'm not techy. It's just they take that fear away from
them. They'll make it easy for you. They'll make it easy for
you. [Narrator] The couple is celebrating their three-year anniversary
together and as patients at Lebanon VA Medical Center,
they're happy with the service provided. [Brenda] Well, I thank God you
know for the be able to connect Because it's helping me regain the
use of my wrist again. So thank you. [Mike] I want to reiterate that
the VA has been nothing but first class and my treatment
from Overton Brooks in Shreveport to Monroe Louisiana
to State College to currently Harrisburg PA. So I am I have received
nothing but outstanding care. [Narrator] If you are a central Pennsylvania
Veteran interested in free or reduced cost health care.
please call 717272621 extension 6000 someone will
assist you.