HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Health professionals from the 66th Medical Squadron hosted a virtual town hall Dec. 14 to discuss the clinic’s upcoming transition to the Military Health System GENESIS system on Jan. 21, 2023.
The GENESIS Patient Portal will replace TRICARE Online as the standardized system of care across the entire Military Health System that will support military members from basic training to retirement, and into the Veterans Affairs health system.
The platform offers beneficiaries secure 24/7 access to their health information with the option to manage appointments, message care teams, submit prescription refills and more.
Col. Stephen Boglarksi, 66 MDS commander, said clinic staff have been laying transition groundwork over the last year, and are prepared to assist beneficiaries during the move.
Beginning Jan. 3, 66 MDS officials will gradually decrease the number of available appointments until the system launches, when availability will increase back to normal operations.
“We are anticipating longer wait times as we approach [Jan. 21, 2023] and for a period after as our staff acclimates, but this is necessary to ensure proper utilization of the system, documentation and patient safety,” said Boglarski during the virtual event.
The squadron commander said all clinic services will remain available throughout the transition, but beneficiaries are encouraged to schedule appointments and prescription refills as far in advance as possible.
Boglarski also asked patients to not use the TRICARE Online Patient Portal after Jan. 14, and to instead utilize the appointment and pharmacy refill lines, 781-225-6789, until the GENESIS Patient Portal is operational.
Prior to the go-live date, all users must update their Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, and ensure they have a DS Logon account for accessing Department of Defense applications. Beneficiaries should create an account at Patientportal.MHSGENESIS.health.mil.
“If our patients have questions at any time, our team is here to help,” said Boglarski.
For additional information about MHS GENESIS, visit www.health.mil/MHSGENESIS.