Fort Wayne VA Hospital New System
Your Complete Guide to the Fort Wayne VA Electronic Health Record System
The Fort Wayne VA Medical Center deployed a new Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR) system on August 22, 2026, as part of a statewide rollout alongside VA hospitals in Marion and Indianapolis . This modern system replaces the outdated VistA platform with a single, lifelong medical record accessible across all federal facilities . More than 102,000 Indiana veterans and 6,000 staff now benefit from seamless records transfer between VA, Department of Defense, and other federal partners, eliminating duplicate tests and providing a unified portal for health and benefits information .
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Go-Live Date | August 22, 2026 |
| Facility | VA Northern Indiana Health Care System – Fort Wayne |
| System | Federal Electronic Health Record (Oracle Health) |
| Veterans Impacted | 102,000+ across Indiana |
| Staff Impacted | 6,000 VA clinicians and staff |
| Online Portal | Unified VA.gov replacing My HealtheVet |
| Next Deployments | Alaska and Ohio (October 2026) |
| Full Implementation | Expected by 2031 at 164 VA medical centers |
What Is the New VA Electronic Health Record System?
The Fort Wayne VA Medical Center now uses the Federal Electronic Health Record (EHR), a modern digital system that provides a single, accurate, lifetime health record for veterans .
What it is: The Federal EHR is a unified health records platform shared across the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, Coast Guard, and other federal partners. It consolidates health records, prescriptions, and secure messaging into a single portal accessible through VA.gov .
Who qualifies: All veterans enrolled in VA healthcare. Your records automatically transition to the new system; no action is required on your part.
Why it matters: Under the previous system, a veteran’s information didn’t transfer well between facilities. If you received care while traveling or moved to a different state, your records often didn’t follow you, leading to duplicate tests and repeated questions . The new system solves this by making your complete health record available wherever you receive care.
What veterans should do next: Update your contact information in your VA.gov profile, refill prescriptions early during the transition, and be patient as staff learn the new system .
What Deployed on August 22, 2026
The August 22, 2026, deployment brought the Federal EHR to:
VA Northern Indiana Health Care System – Fort Wayne
VA Northern Indiana Health Care System – Marion
Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center – Indianapolis
16 associated clinics across Indiana
Veterans May Qualify for Extra Benefits
Check available financial assistance, healthcare programs and other opportunities that may apply to you.
Check EligibilityThis marked VA’s third round of deployments in 2026, following successful rollouts in Michigan (April) and Ohio/Kentucky (June) . VA has now deployed the new system at 11 hospitals in 2026—nearly doubling the number of deployments seen in the previous five years .
National Context
The Fort Wayne rollout is part of VA’s accelerated schedule under the Trump administration, which restarted the project after it was “nearly dormant for almost two years” during the Biden administration . VA plans two additional rollouts in October 2026 at the Alaska VA Healthcare System and Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center .
Contract and Cost
The EHR modernization project began in 2018 with a $10 billion contract with Cerner (now Oracle Health) . In August 2026, VA added three option-year periods and a $17 billion boost to the contract, raising the total value to nearly $27 billion . Cost estimates range from $16.1 billion to nearly $50 billion, according to federal watchdogs .
Key Benefits for Fort Wayne Veterans
1. Seamless Records Transfer
The Federal EHR enables the seamless transfer of military health records among VA, Department of Defense, and other federal partners . Your complete medical history follows you wherever you receive care.
What it means for you: No more carrying paper records or repeating your medical history every time you move or visit a new facility. As VA Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence explained: “If you’re a veteran in Wisconsin and you go to Florida on vacation, and you got hurt and come to a VA hospital, we didn’t have your information. That led to a lot of veterans carrying around paper records, causing real problems” .
2. No More Duplicate Tests
The new system eliminates the need for duplicate tests because prior test results can be found and shared across facilities .
What it means for you: Fewer medical procedures, less time, and less cost. “What I think veterans will see is fewer tests being ordered,” said Deputy Secretary Lawrence. “We’ll do them once, and we won’t lose the results” .
3. Unified VA.gov Portal
The biggest change for veterans is the transition of My HealtheVet directly into VA.gov, combining health records, prescriptions, and secure messages into the same portal used for other VA benefits .
What it means for you: You can now manage appointments, check prescriptions, review disability benefits, and access records—all in one place. No more navigating between different systems.
4. More Time with Doctors
The new system enables VA doctors and nurses to spend more time with patients and less time struggling with technology .
What it means for you: “Patients will have more time talking with the doctors, as opposed to them just looking at their screens,” said Deputy Secretary Lawrence. “Hopefully it will result in more conversations, and not just ‘what brings you here today'” .
5. Improved Continuity of Care
The Federal EHR improves continuity of care when veterans transfer among facilities or need emergency care at facilities they’ve never visited . The system also integrates health information from private sector facilities into VA’s care for veterans .
What to Expect During the Transition
Temporary Online Service Pauses
To prepare for the system transition, VA paused several online services :
| Service | Pause Dates |
|---|---|
| Online Appointment Scheduling | July 23 – October 6, 2026 |
| Online Prescription Refills | August 19 – 24, 2026 |
| Secure Messages & Prescription Renewals | August 16 – 24, 2026 |
Changes You May Notice
| Change | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Appointments | Fewer appointments available August-October; schedule early |
| Appointment Length | Appointments may take longer as providers learn the system |
| After-Visit Summaries | Documents may look different than before |
| Appointment Letters | Letters for reminders and cancellations will look different |
| Secure Messaging | Care team names may appear differently on messages |
| Address Management | Temporary addresses no longer supported; update mailing address for seasonal moves |
Address Changes
With the new Federal EHR, you can have two addresses on file:
A residential address (where you live)
A mailing address (where you get mail from VA)
You can no longer keep a temporary address with start and stop dates. If you relocate temporarily, you must change your mailing address and remember to change it back when you return .
Steps for Fort Wayne Veterans
Before Your Next Appointment
1. Update Your Contact Information
Ensure your name, email, phone number, and address are up-to-date in your VA.gov profile. Sign in using your Login.gov or ID.me account .
2. Refill Prescriptions Early
Avoid potential pharmacy delays by refilling and renewing prescriptions ahead of time .
3. Schedule Appointments in Advance
There may be limited appointments available in the weeks before and after the transition. Schedule early and continue to contact your health care team about any care needs .
4. Use Secure Messaging
For non-urgent questions or requests, use Secure Messaging through My HealtheVet. Sign in using your Login.gov or ID.me account .
5. Be Patient
As Deputy Secretary Lawrence said: “The one thing we’d ask is for the patient to be patient” . Your care team is learning a new system while continuing to provide excellent care.
If Your Appointment Is Rescheduled
During this transition time, your care team may need to reschedule some appointments. Your team will contact you and will make sure to renew or refill any needed prescriptions .
Getting Your Medical Records
VA Northern Indiana Health Care offers multiple ways to get copies of your medical records:
Online: Sign in to find, review, print, and download your VA medical records online through VA.gov.
In Person: Visit the Release of Information office at:
VA Northern Indiana Health Care System – Fort Wayne
Contact your local VA facility for specific office location and hours
What to bring:
A signed, written request (VA Form 10-5345a)
Your Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
VA Northern Indiana Health Care System Services
The Fort Wayne VA Medical Center is part of the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System (VANIHCS), which serves veterans across northern Indiana.
Services Offered
Primary care
Pharmacy services
Specialty care
Women’s health services
Prosthetics
Recent Recognition
In October 2025, VA Deputy Secretary Paul R. Lawrence visited the Fort Wayne and Marion VA Medical Centers to learn about the facility’s progress in implementing the new EHR system . He toured the pharmacies, met with leadership teams and super users, and discussed preparations for the deployment .
“Indiana is really doing great,” said Acting VISN 10 Deputy Director Josh Rawlings. “We are watching Michigan closely and collaborating with Columbus who already has the EHR. We are taking lessons learned there and really excited to watch them tackle this” .
VANIHCS Executive Director Jon Beidelschies added: “I am incredibly proud of the outstanding effort and dedication our staff is demonstrating in the Electronic Health Record Modernization initiative. Their hard work and commitment to this critical transition are ensuring that we provide our Veterans with the best possible care” .
Security and Privacy
VA Deputy Secretary Lawrence confirmed the system has two layers of security: one built in by Oracle and another developed by VA itself . Additionally, VA will not use AI for medical decisions .
Common Questions
1. What is the new system at the Fort Wayne VA hospital?
The Fort Wayne VA deployed the Federal Electronic Health Record system on August 22, 2026. It’s a modern digital platform that replaces the old VistA system and provides a single, lifelong medical record for veterans that’s accessible across all federal facilities .
2. When did the Fort Wayne VA get the new system?
The Fort Wayne VA Medical Center launched the new Federal EHR on Saturday, August 22, 2026 . It deployed alongside VA hospitals in Marion and Indianapolis, and 16 clinics across Indiana .
3. How does the new VA EHR benefit Fort Wayne veterans?
The new system enables seamless records transfer among VA, DOD, and federal partners; eliminates duplicate testing; gives doctors more time with patients; provides a unified VA.gov portal for health and benefits; and improves continuity of care when traveling or moving between facilities .
4. Is My HealtheVet still available?
My HealtheVet has transitioned to VA.gov. Health records, prescriptions, and secure messages are now accessible through the unified VA.gov portal, which also houses benefits information .
5. How do I access my VA medical records in Fort Wayne?
You can access your records online through VA.gov using your Login.gov or ID.me account. You can also request records in person at the Release of Information office at the Fort Wayne VA Medical Center, or by mail using VA Form 10-5345a.
6. Will my appointments be affected by the new EHR?
During the transition period, your appointments may take longer as staff learn the new system. There may also be limited appointment availability from August through October. Schedule early and continue to contact your care team for any care needs .
7. What online services were paused during the transition?
Online appointment scheduling was paused July 23-October 6, online prescription refills were paused August 19-24, and secure messages and prescription renewals were paused August 16-24 .
8. How do I update my address in the new EHR?
You can change your residential and mailing addresses in your VA.gov profile, through the VA mobile app, or by contacting your VA health facility. The new system does not support temporary addresses with start and stop dates .
9. What is the cost of the VA EHR modernization?
The contract with Oracle Health now totals nearly $27 billion. VA added three option-year periods and $17 billion in August 2026. Cost estimates range from $16.1 billion to nearly $50 billion according to federal watchdogs .
10. When will all VA facilities have the new EHR?
Full implementation of the Federal EHR at every VA medical facility is expected by 2031. VA has deployed the system at 11 of 164 medical centers as of August 2026 .
11. Who is the contractor for the new VA EHR?
Oracle Health (formerly Cerner) is the contractor. Cerner won a 10-year contract in 2018, and Oracle acquired Cerner in 2022 .
12. Is the new VA EHR secure?
Yes, Deputy Secretary Lawrence confirmed the system has two layers of security: one built in by Oracle and another developed by VA itself. VA will not use AI for medical decisions .
13. How do I get prescriptions after the EHR rollout?
Continue to use your current pharmacy. Fill and renew prescriptions early during the transition period to avoid delays. If you receive prescriptions by mail, ensure the pharmacy has your correct mailing address .
14. What if I need care at a VA facility outside Indiana?
The new EHR improves continuity of care when veterans transfer among facilities or need emergency care at facilities they’ve never visited. Your health records are accessible wherever you receive VA care .
15. What if my appointment gets rescheduled?
During the transition, your care team may need to reschedule some appointments. They will contact you and will make sure to renew or refill any needed prescriptions .
16. Where is the Fort Wayne VA Medical Center located?
The VA Northern Indiana Health Care System – Fort Wayne campus provides comprehensive VA healthcare services for veterans in northeastern Indiana. Contact the facility directly for specific address and services.
Key Takeaways
The Fort Wayne VA Medical Center deployed the new Federal EHR on August 22, 2026, alongside VA hospitals in Marion and Indianapolis
More than 102,000 Indiana veterans and 6,000 staff now use the new system
The system enables seamless records transfer among VA, DOD, and federal partners; eliminates duplicate testing; and provides a unified VA.gov portal for health and benefits
My HealtheVet has transitioned to VA.gov; health records, prescriptions, and secure messages are now in one location
Online services were paused during the transition: appointment scheduling (July 23-Oct 6), prescription refills (Aug 19-24), and secure messages (Aug 16-24)
Expect temporary challenges: fewer appointments August-October, longer appointments, and different-looking documents
Update your contact information in your VA.gov profile and refill prescriptions early
Full implementation at all 164 VA medical centers is expected by 2031
The total contract value with Oracle Health is now nearly $27 billion
VA will not use AI for medical decisions, and security features are built into the system by both Oracle and VA
Official Resources
VA EHR Modernization – digital.va.gov/ehr-modernization – Official program information and deployment schedule
VA.gov – www.va.gov – Access your health records, prescriptions, and benefits in one place
VA Northern Indiana Health Care System – www.va.gov/northern-indiana-health-care/ – Fort Wayne VA services and information
VA Northern Indiana Health Care System Medical Records Office – www.va.gov/northern-indiana-health-care/medical-records-office/ – Records requests
VA Form 10-5345a – Individuals’ Request for a Copy of Their Own Health Information
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