SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The 20th Medical Group will begin transitioning to Military Health System (MHS) GENESIS September 24, 2022. Patients can expect to see an increase in wait times and a reduction in available appointments for approximately 90 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.
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 time of their enlistment through veteran status.
IMPORTANT NEXT STEPS FOR PATIENTS USING THE SHAW CLINIC
TRICARE Online Patient Portal will be replaced with the new GENESIS Patient Portal on September 24, 2022. Access the new GENESIS Patient Portal at https://patientportal.mhsgenesis.health.mil/ starting September 24, 2022.
Patients should take steps NOW to prepare for the MHS GENESIS implementation, including:
o Create a DS LOGON account in order to access the GENESIS Patient Portal without a Common Access Card (CAC) at the following website https://idco-pki.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/myprofile-info
o Update service member and dependent information (including emails addresses) in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) by visiting https://idco-pki.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/myprofile-info or the nearest Military Personnel Flight.
o Pharmacy wait times will increase during this transition time period. Beneficiaries should be sure to have prescription refills on hand, look into using a TRICARE network retail pharmacy, or look into signing up for TRICARE Home Delivery. For more information on home delivery, visit https://www.tricare.mil/homedelivery.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS USING THE SHAW CLINIC
o TRICARE Online will be degraded beginning September 16, and its Secure Messaging capability will stop operating September 21, 2022. Beneficiaries can still call 803-895-CARE(2273) to submit a message to their provider team (with the exception of 23 Sep 22 when the 20 MDG Appointment Line is closed)
o The 20 MDG Appointment Line will be closed on September 23, 2022. Beneficiaries can still call the NAL at 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273), option 1, to receive nurse triage.
o If in need of a primary care or specialty care appointment, patients should book as soon as possible to avoid delays during the MHS GENESIS transition. This includes sports physicals.
o To book an appointment, the 20th Medical Group recommends first calling the 20 MDG Appointment Line at 803-895-CARE (2273) to book an open appointment or re-opened appointment due to cancellation. 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.
o The Nurse Advice Line (NAL) can triage and assist with obtaining appropriate care. The NAL can also create referrals for active duty members to utilize urgent care 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.
The 20th Medical Group appreciates your patience while they transition to a system that will significantly improve and streamline patient care across the DOD.