Platinum card: How telehealth gave one Veteran his time back

Telehealth helps a Veteran stay connected to care without long trips

For Army Veteran Bernard Williams, VA’s virtual care options have made his healthcare significantly easier to access and fit into daily life.

Williams, who is in his 60s, had his first telehealth appointment in December 2025 through VA Video Connect, VA’s secure videoconferencing app. He has since used virtual care for several types of VA appointments, including general surgery, nutrition and VA’s MOVE!® Weight Management program.

“I can basically do this virtual meeting anywhere,” he shared. “It allows me a lot of flexibility.”

Avoiding a long trip to care

Williams lives in Arkansas, about 65 miles from the nearest VA medical center in Memphis. The drive alone can take more than an hour each way, and Memphis traffic often makes the trip more stressful.

“After I finish the appointment, I could burn four hours easy that day, so virtual appointments just make it a lot easier for me,” he said.

Williams now takes virtual care appointments using his smartphone, usually from the comfort of his own home.

“This is a platinum card for me to be able to do the video appointments,” he said. “The level of care hasn’t dropped off because of using telehealth.”

Staying connected to care

Williams also uses My HealtheVet on VA.gov for its Secure Messaging feature that helps him stay connected with his care team between appointments.

“The beautiful thing with My HealtheVet is if I forget to ask a question, I’ll just go into the messenger and message them,” Williams said. “They said 72 hours, but often I get a response quicker than that.”

In one recent example, Williams realized after an appointment that he had reported his weight incorrectly. After weighing himself again, he used Secure Messaging to let his provider know he had been off by 10 pounds.

Thriving with virtual appointments

Williams also participates in VA’s MOVE! Program. He said the virtual group format has been valuable because it allows Veterans to learn strategies from one another.

“It’s been a great program where I can hear real stories from other Veterans,” he said.

Williams has already encouraged other Veterans to consider virtual appointments. His message is simple: Video telehealth visits can reduce travel, save time and may help Veterans get appointments sooner.

“It’s really no different from being able to see a provider in person,” Williams said.

In fact, virtual care helps him avoid some of the parts of in-person visits that can be difficult, including long waits and long walks through the facility and crowded spaces. That matters to Williams, who also manages PTSD.

“Being around a lot of people is just not in the cards for me right now, so it gives me that time alone, and I’m comfortable,” he added.

For more information about telehealth services available to Veterans, visit VA Telehealth Services.