Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects a significant portion of the U.S. adult population, particularly impacting older adults. With a rising incidence and a shortage of nephrologists, especially in rural areas, finding kidney care has become challenging for many, including veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is addressing this issue through its new and growing TeleNephrology program, leveraging telehealth to provide essential, expert care to veterans nationwide. Learn more about the VA TeleNephrology care program for veterans.*

Expanding Access to Kidney Care

Kidney disease, a leading cause of death in the U.S., has seen distressing growth, especially among older adults. In the United States, an estimated 15% of adults have chronic kidney disease, and for those 65 and older, that estimate jumps to 34%. 

Approximately 7.7% of veterans are diagnosed with CKD every year, and veterans with CKD are more likely to have other conditions, as well, such as:

• Cancer,
• Diabetes, 
• Hypertension, and 
• Vascular disease. 

Given the national shortage of nephrologists, veterans in rural areas often face significant barriers to accessing specialized care. To address these barriers, the VA’s TeleNephrology program connects veterans with kidney specialists across the country via video call. 

Lifesaving Telehealth Services

The program’s services enable veterans to connect with nephrologists without the need to travel long distances for in-person appointments. At local community-based outpatient clinics, telehealth care technicians facilitate video calls between veterans and VA nephrologists. 

During these consultations, veterans can discuss symptoms, medical history, and current treatments. Nephrologists can then:

• Set up lab tests, 
• Evaluate conditions, and 
• Prescribe medications as needed. 

This remote care is vital as it helps manage kidney disease progression, potentially preventing kidney failure, which would require dialysis or kidney transplantation to significantly prolong life.  

Despite the absence of a cure, early and consistent care from specialists can significantly improve patient outcomes, hence the necessity for veterans to have regular access to appropriate kidney care. 

Additional Benefits of Telehealth

According to Dr. Ramón Bonegio, a nephrologist and director of the VA’s TeleNephrology Enterprise Wide Initiative, there are additional advantages to telemedicine. 

“Because I’m not examining the veteran in person,” he says, “I spend most of the appointment talking to them. And a lot of the veterans have said to me, ‘We feel that you listen to us more.’ I feel like that’s a great benefit of video visits. We get a few more minutes just to talk.” 

Launched in 2020, the TeleNephrology program now serves over 1,500 veterans, and its founders continually seek to expand its reach. 

*McMillian, G. (2024, January 17). TeleNephrology provides critical kidney care to Veterans across the country. VA News. https://news.va.gov/127787/telenephrology-provides-kidney-care-to-veterans/#:~ 

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