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Medical Record Hold Periods Are Changing

You’ll see some information sooner

A Veteran checks their medical records on a smart phone.Some information that comes from your VA health record may not be presented right away in My HealtheVet or your VA Blue Button. This is because your information may first need to be reviewed by a member of your VA health care team. Also, if needed, this gives your provider time to discuss your results with you before you view them in My HealtheVet.

After April 16, 2025, some hold periods will change so that your information is available to you sooner.

What is changing?

The following types of information used to have a hold period of 36 hours. After April 16, they’ll no longer have a hold period. This information will now be presented in My HealtheVet and VA Blue Button as soon as it is available: 

  • Admissions and discharges

  • Problem list

  • Progress notes

What are the hold periods for other types of information?

These types of information have no hold period:

  • Admissions and discharges

  • Problem list

  • Progress notes

  • COVID-19

  • After Visit Summary

These types of information have a hold period of 36 hours:

  • Laboratory results (chemistry hematology, microbiology)

  • Imaging study/radiology reports

  • Pathology reports (on My VA Health, pathology reports have a 96 hour hold period)

This type of information has a hold period of 30 calendar days:

  • Compensation and pensions

Learn more about medical records on My HealtheVet

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In 2025, you'll need to use a Login.gov or ID.me account to sign in to My HealtheVet and other VA tools.

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You must be a VA patient to access some parts of your VA health record. If you’re not enrolled in VA health care, you can apply now.

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Poll - Medical Record Hold Periods Are Changing (April 2025)