Bringing services closer to Veterans with mobile care

VA's Mobile Prosthetic and Orthotic Care (MoPOC) program is a rapidly growing initiative transforming access to specialized health care for Veterans in rural areas.

MoPOC provides state-of-the-art orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) services for Veterans with amputations and other mobility impairments who may face challenges traveling to larger VA medical centers.

It focuses on serving Veterans where they are, offering convenience and comfort at VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinics and, as needed, at home.

MoPOC was developed by Daniel Abrahamson and Eli Kaufman, both certified prosthetist/orthotists (CPOs) and certified O&P providers based out of VA Puget Sound Health Care System, who now run the program nationally.

With funding from VHA's Office of Rural Health, the program has been able to grow to 18 VA sites since its start in 2021. Over the past three years, MoPOC clinicians conducted 12,152 patient visits, serving 8,304 Veterans-5,956 of whom live in rural communities. The team has an ambitious target to grow by eight new sites per year, aiming to serve Veterans at 60 sites by 2029.

A Veteran-centered approach

Central to MoPOC's success is its Veteran-centered model which is structured to serve Veterans closer to home focusing on their unique needs and preferences. Each MoPOC mobile unit is staffed by a CPO equipped with a comprehensive suite of specialty tools and technologies allowing them to modify and fit custom O&P devices onsite. Support staff at the home site enables the program to operate efficiently and provides Veterans with a dedicated point of contact when the clinician is on the road.

"Our mission is to increase access to VA clinical services for Veterans by reducing or eliminating the burden of travel," explained Kaufman who, with Abrahamson, developed MoPOC during his 2020-2021 VHA Innovation Ecosystem fellowship and with support from the VHA Innovators Network.

"Roughly 20% of Veterans report they would not have received their prescribed O&P care at all without MoPOC," Abrahamson reported. "This highlights how needed these services are in many rural communities." Veterans have expressed gratitude for the care they receive, often describing the MoPOC staff as respectful, patient and knowledgeable.

"She was terrific and explained each step to me," a Veteran said about a MoPOC clinician. Another Veteran praised the specialized support. "My brace has allowed me to be more stable when I'm standing and walking around. She trimmed it down so I can wear it with my dress shoes for church. That was important for me."

Efficient, accessible and convenient care

MoPOC is cost-efficient for VA, on average costing less than purchasing the same care for Veterans through community providers. MoPOC also helps Veterans save money as it reduces travel and associated expenses, like fuel. The impact is particularly evident for rural Veterans who often have fewer transportation options, greater distances to traditional VA facilities and more lost work.

"Driving to my local clinic instead of the big VA facility saved me time and gas money," one Veteran noted, underscoring the value of MoPOC's local accessible care. The increased accessibility has also translated into high Veteran satisfaction levels, with 98% of Veterans expressing satisfaction with the ease of traveling to MoPOC appointments.

Veterans also report that MoPOC care has improved their mobility, reduced pain and helped them carry out daily activities more comfortably. "My feet don't hurt as much now. I like to be out in the yard and go on walks with my wife and now I can do that better and easier," said another.

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