Accenture Federal Services Delivers ‘Annie’ VA Health Texting Service Through Iron Bow Subcontract

Department of Veterans Affairs health centers across the United States now provide an automated text message service that Accenture Federal Services developed to help keep American veterans connected to their health protocols. 

The deployment of the mobile interactive service, called “Annie,” completes a task order that Accenture secured from Iron Bow Technologies, which obtained a $2 billion contract to continue its support to the VA’s Office of Connected Care on four functions, including the capability to connect veterans to health care services. Annie’s nationwide launch followed an eight-month pilot of the tool, which generated positive feedback from veterans, Accenture said.

The solution provides users SMS text notifications, one message at a time, about self-care health monitoring, such as blood pressure readings. Annie can also help inform users about medical treatment procedures, medication reminders and recording ailment symptoms for clinical review.

Ron Moody, AFS chief medical officer and clinical lead in Annie’s development, said the tool is valuable for veterans and their health care providers. It exemplifies how a popular technology, such as SMS, can “elevate the overall health care experience,” he added.

The VA used texting and digital solutions in the VANotify digital application developed in 2021 by Chicago software company ThoughtWorks, helping veterans manage their accounts in the department. In July 2018, it also launched the VEText messaging system to remind veterans of their scheduled medical appointments and help improve customer experience.