The 78th Medical Group at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia will begin transitioning to MHS GENESIS Sept. 24, 2022. During this time, patients can expect to see an increase in wait times and a reduction in available appointments for approximately 120 days as healthcare teams adapt their office and clinic practices to new, standardized workflows.

MHS GENESIS is the new electronic health record system used in military hospitals and clinics worldwide.

The MHS GENESIS system is the centerpiece of a larger transformation to securely standardize, integrate, and manage medical records across the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Coast Guard within the Department of Homeland Security.

The health record delivers data to healthcare teams wherever patients receive treatment, whether at a medical facility within the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, or the U.S. Coast Guard. This record will stay with service members from the beginning of their service through veteran status.

TIPS FOR ROBINS CLINIC PATIENTS

Patients can take steps now to prepare for the MHS GENESIS implementation, including:

-If in need of a primary care or specialty care appointment between now and Sept. 22, 2022 patients should make their appointment as soon as possible to avoid delays during the MHS GENESIS transition. This includes school, sports, flight and annual physicals.

-If permissible, consider requesting pharmacy prescriptions for longer durations – for instance, requesting a six-month supply verses three months.

-Update servicemember and dependent information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) information by visiting the nearest Military Personnel Flight.

-TRICARE Online will be degraded beginning Sept 16 2022, and its Secure Message will stop operating Sept. 21, 2022.

-Use the new Patient Portal at https://patientportal.mhsgenesis.health.mil/, starting Sept. 24, 2022.

-The 78th Medical Group recommends first calling the appointment line at 478-327-7850 or 497-7850 (DSN call/on base) to check for open or re-opened appointments due to cancellations. If there is no availability, another option is to visit a TRICARE-authorized urgent care center for same-day, acute needs. Other than active-duty service members, Beneficiaries DO NOT need a referral to receive care at a TRICARE-authorized urgent care center.

-The Nurse Advice Line can triage and assist with obtaining appropriate care. The NAL can also create referrals for active-duty members to utilize urgent centers. When seen off base, if possible, request a copy of paper records and bring them to your next appointment with your primary care manager or primary care provider. Call the NAL at 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273), option 1.

-Pharmacy wait times will increase during this transition time period. Beneficiaries should be sure to have prescription refills on hand or look into using a TRICARE network retail pharmacy or the mail-order service. For more information on home delivery, visit https://www.tricare.mil/homedelivery.

New TRICARE pharmacy co-pays are effective Jan. 1 and are as follows:

-Co-pays for a 90-day supply through home delivery: $12 for generics, $34 for a brand name, and $68 for non-formulary medications.

-Co-pays for a 30-day supply at a Tricare network retail pharmacy: $14 for generics, $38 for a brand name, and $68 for non-formulary medications.

-Active duty does not have co-pays when using home delivery or retail pharmacies for covered medications.

Patients may experience longer wait times for laboratory needs while staff adjusts to the new processes.

Patients should make sure to get their routine radiology appointments taken care of early to avoid extended wait times.

The immunization clinic will remain a walk-in clinic.

The 78th Medical Group appreciates your patience during the transition to a system that will significantly improve and streamline patient care across the DOD.