How the VA Saved $4,500 Per Veteran with Whole Health

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) saved over $4,500 per veteran annually by adopting a whole person care (WPC) model called the Whole Health System. This holistic approach redefined healthcare by focusing on what matters most to each veteran - integrating physical, mental, and social care into personalized health plans.

What Is the VA’s Whole Health System?

The VA’s Whole Health System is a groundbreaking model that blends traditional, disease-focused treatment with personal goal-setting, integrative therapies, and team-based care. At its core is the Two-Circle Model, which aligns medical care with each veteran’s life purpose.

Key Features of the VA Whole Health Approach

• Personal Health Plans (PHPs): Veterans co-create a health plan based on their personal goals, not just clinical diagnoses.
• Two-Circle Model: Integrates disease treatment (outer circle) with life goals, self-care, and purpose (inner circle).
• Health Advocates: Non-clinical staff help guide veterans through the system and coordinate care.
• Complementary Therapies: Includes acupuncture, mindfulness, yoga, and nutrition alongside conventional treatment.
• Value-Based Payment Models: Focus on improving outcomes that matter—like quality of life and function, not just procedures.

Results That Speak Volumes

• $4,500+ Annual Savings per Veteran
• Improved Patient Experience and Health Outcomes
• Better Clinician Satisfaction (Quadruple Aim)
• 130,000+ Veterans Reached Across 18 Sites

A landmark report by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) recognized the VA’s Whole Health System as a national model for rethinking healthcare delivery.

Why It Worked

• Patient-Centered Culture Shift: Veterans became partners in care, not passive recipients.
• Integrated Tech Systems: Electronic health records, real-time data, and case management tools supported care coordination.
• Sustained Investment: The VA backed the transformation with training, leadership buy-in, and long-term funding.
• Flexible Framework: The model scaled to diverse locations and adapted to veterans with multiple chronic conditions, trauma histories, or social risk factors.

What Other Health Systems Can Learn

1. Start with “What Matters to You?”
   Shift the care conversation from symptoms to life goals.
2. Empower Non-Clinical Staff
   Health advocates build trust and bridge gaps between providers and patients.
3. Invest in Integrative Services
   Acupuncture, yoga, and peer support aren't "extras"; they’re essential tools.
4. Track What Matters
   Use metrics that reflect function, well-being, and social stability, not just lab results.
5. Build for Scalability
   The Two-Circle Model’s success inspired adoption at the University of Michigan and Arizona’s Integrative Health Center.

FAQ: The VA’s Whole Health System

Q: How did the VA measure $4,500 in savings per veteran?
Through reduced ER visits, hospitalizations, unnecessary procedures, and better chronic disease management, all documented in the VA’s cost/utilization reports.

Q: Is Whole Health only for veterans?
No. The model is now influencing integrative health clinics across the U.S. and Canada. It’s scalable for any population with complex medical and social needs.

Q: What made the VA’s approach different?
They embedded “life purpose” as a clinical input, shaping every care decision around the individual, not just the illness.

Conclusion: A Model Worth Scaling

The VA’s Whole Health System proves that treating people, not just diseases, can transform lives and reduce costs. For health systems seeking to achieve value-based, equitable care, this model offers a powerful blueprint.

Want to implement Whole Person Care in your organization?

‍Download our full white paper or contact IDENTOS to learn how secure consent, FHIR standards, and integrated tech make it possible.