VA will deploy Google Cloud’s Apigee platform to empower developers in creating a digital-first veterans experience
VA partners with Google Cloud with an aim to boost veteran access to its benefits and services. (Credit: Cristiano Tomás/Wikimedia Commons)
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded a multi-year contract worth $13m to Google Cloud to help developers implement new tools and applications to enhance veteran access to its services and data.
As per the terms of the contract, the healthcare provider will deploy Google Cloud’s application programming interface (API) management platform, Apigee.
The implementation is part of the sustained evolution of VA’s Lighthouse API programme, giving seamless and secure access to developers to the department’s APIs for developing new tools and services.
Google Cloud stated that with Apigee, developers can use the Benefits API of the healthcare provider to build applications that help veterans in submitting and tracking electronic benefits claims as well as in adding supplemental documentation.
Besides, developers can easily access the Health APIs of VA to develop new online tools that help veterans handle their health and access their medical records, said Google Cloud.
VA Lighthouse director Dave Mazik said: “Google Cloud’s Apigee will help the VA to continue scaling the VA Lighthouse API program for third-party developers in a cost-efficient manner, offering Veterans more choice in the applications and tools they use to obtain access to their data and services.
“This partnership is a logical next step to better connect Veterans with VA services, innovate with trusted third parties and continue to offer a high-quality, digital-first customer experience to which they’re accustomed to in other areas of their lives.”
Built on Apigee’s FedRAMP-authorised platform, the Apigee deployment by VA is expected to support the ongoing efforts of the department to protect veteran data, in compliance with standards like Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations and the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standard for the electronic exchange of healthcare information.
Google Cloud global public sector VP Mike Daniels said: “We’re honoured to support the VA and our nation’s Veterans.
“By making it easier for developers and partners to build new applications through Apigee, the VA is spurring innovations that will ultimately enable Veterans and their families to more easily access important benefits and services.”
Earlier this month, Google Cloud had acquired Siemplify, a security orchestration, automation and response (SOAR) provider.