Access the healthcare team Published Nov. 29, 2016 PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- If you’ve attempted to make an appointment with your primary care manager recently, it’s quite possible the appointment was scheduled further into the future than normal. The 21st Medical Group has several vacant healthcare provider positions, which impacts their ability to see patients for routine concerns in the timeframe preferred. While the commitment to providing the highest quality care remains unwavering, the ability to do so requires the utilization of all available methods for taking care of patients and ensuring everyone is aware of all healthcare options. Walk-Ins The 21st MDG Family Health and Flight Medicine Clinics have walk-in services available for sore throats, pregnancy testing, wart removal, hormone injections, urinary tract infection symptoms, earwax removal, blood pressure checks, suture and staple removal, and wound care. The 21st MDG Pediatrics Clinic has walk-in services available for sore throats, wart removal, and suture and staple removal. The Physical Therapy Clinic has walk-in services for active duty members experiencing musculoskeletal pain (back pain, joint pain, etc.) for which they would like an initial physical therapy evaluation. If you are experiencing any of the above issues, you do not need an appointment. Simply walk in to the front desk of the Family Health, Flight Medicine, Pediatrics, or Physical Therapy clinic, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and your healthcare team will work to expedite your care. MiCare The use of secure messaging is a powerful tool which allows people to contact their primary care team at a time that’s convenient for them to help manage healthcare. Using MiCare, patients can request a renewal of medications or a follow-up appointment, check on results for radiology and laboratory tests, and request a referral. TRICARE beneficiaries who don’t have a MiCare account should contact their primary care team via the Colorado Springs Access to Care Line at 719-524-CARE (2273) and select option #2 to sign up. Additionally, patients can stop at the front desk to sign up next time they’re in the clinic. TRICARE Online With TRICARE Online, people can book an appointment with their PCM, request a refill or check the status of active prescriptions, or access laboratory and radiology test results. Another benefit of utilizing TOL is it allows users to select notification options to receive email and text message appointment reminders. To register for an account and gain access to these capabilities, go to https://www.tricareonline.com Nurse Advice Line If people are unsure whether an appointment is needed or are just looking for some tips to help manage symptoms at home, the Nurse Advice Line is an invaluable resource. The NAL is staffed by experienced registered nurses who can evaluate symptoms 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and help direct callers to the appropriate level of care. Whether that’s booking an appointment with a PCM, referral to an urgent care center, direction to the nearest ER, or simply providing home care advice if an appointment isn’t needed, the NAL has all bases covered. To contact the NAL, call the Colorado Springs Access to Care Line at 719-524-CARE (2273) and select option #3. Appointments If none of the above options are right for those requiring care, and they need an acute or routine appointment, contact the Colorado Springs Access to Care Line at 719- 524-CARE (2273) and select option #1 to make an appointment. The booking clerks will make every effort to schedule an appointment at the requested date and time. If no appointments are available, people may be referred to a civilian urgent care center or a military community-based clinic to ensure timely care for acute or same-day concerns. For routine or follow-up concerns, the booking clerks will submit a telephone consult to the healthcare team who will contact patients via telephone, or MiCare if enrolled, to coordinate healthcare needs. As we continue to aggressively pursue new providers to fill the vacant positions, we are also developing creative solutions to maximize your access to healthcare as much as possible. We appreciate your patience as we navigate these issues, and we look forward to continuing our partnership in your health.