Tricare Online gives more power to its patients

Published March 31, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Keoni Chavarria
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Fitting in appointments that work around a set schedule can be a difficult task, but through a system, patients will be able to become more flexible with their appointments, while making it easier to accomplish more with less.

Right now, about only 23 percent of McChord Field's population uses Tricare Online as their primary source for medical processes while some Air Force Bases has an upwards of 90 percent , according to 1st Lt. George Ogwela, 62nd Medical Squadron officer in charge of patient administration.

The goal of the 62nd MDS is for McChord to have at least 90 percent of the base population to use Tricare Online as their primary source for scheduling appointments and other processes.

"Through convenient 24 hours a day, 365 days a year of self-service, Tricare Online encourages active participation in health care," said Ogwela.

Tricare Online's system includes many features to give the patient more capabilities to save time and become more convenient. Some of the features include the appointment system, the Blue Button, and the Rx Refill.

With Tricare Online, patients can select specific dates and look for availabilities 120 days in advance, giving them more power in making decisions on their appointments, said Ogwela.

"Through Tricare Online, there will also be less canceled appointments because of the capabilities of the system, which will lead to more time saved for patients who need to be seen, and money saved for the Air Force," said Ogwela.

Each appointment on average is about 20 minutes and costs $306. If an appointment is not cancelled before 24 hours of the appointment, it is difficult to fill the slot causing a patient to be missed, he added.

Another feature to the system is the Blue Button. Through the blue button, patients will now be able to see and print their medical documents online instead of going to a clinic to receive their files.

"Some of the documents patients will be able to see are their lab results, X-ray and even your doctor's notes," said Ogwela. "This system will help Airmen obtain their documents instantly if they are needed."

There is also an option on the website called Rx Refill, and with the application, patients are able to apply for a refill for prescriptions online. After filling the application out, patients can then find a time that works best for them to pick up their medication.

With features like the appointment system, the Blue Button, and the Rx Refill, it is the hope that Tricare Online can accomplish more while using less, saving time for the patients and money for the Air Force.

To log on to Tricare Online, visit https://www.tricareonline.com/portal/page/portal/TricareOnline/Portal

For more information on Tricare Online, go to www.mcchord.af.mil/units/62ndmedicalsquadron/index.asp

For assistance with this program, call the 62nd MDS at 253-982-2304.

Tricare online