PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 21st Medical Group and all military treatment facilities in the Colorado area switched to the Military Health System Genesis on April 24, 2021. With the transition, the 21st MDG replaced the 20-year-old legacy system, Tricare Online Patient Portal with the MHS Genesis, a new electronic health record system. By integrating all aspects of patient records in one place, Genesis hopes to provide a higher quality of care and an overall better patient experience.
“MHS Genesis is a brand new system, please be patient with us as we get past the initial learning curve,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Patrick Pohle, 21st MDG commander. “MHS Genesis is DoD [Department of Defense] wide and we were included in a roll out with 25 other MTFs. For example, if you receive your care at the Peterson campus and then you need to go to Ft. Carson to receive some care, they will be able to access the exact same information. We will be using the exact same tool and rolling out this electronic health record at the same time.”
Pohle said that beneficiaries should expect some delays in their care at on-base MTFs for the coming weeks during the system transition.
Some of the impact that beneficiaries should expect to see includes a 50% reduction in planned care, more network referrals for acute and specialty care, significant increases in pharmacy and lab testing wait times, and suspended use of the Tricare Online Patient Portal, as well as Tricare Online secure messaging.
“This is a new technology that we desperately needed, and yes, upfront there will be some angst,” said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Stellabotte, 21st MDG superintendent. “But the return on the investment for future patient experiences will be phenomenal. This is a good thing for our patients.”
The 21st MDG recommends the following to help make this transition period less stressful for patients. They ask that you maximize the use of the Nurse Advice Line, available at (719) 524-2273. The Nurse Advise Line provides evidence-based health care advice, recommendations for the most appropriate level of care, and local emergency and urgent care facilities.
This new system will allow beneficiaries to view their health information, message primary and special care providers, request prescription refills and soon will be allowed to schedule appointments all on the MHS Genesis Patient Portal. To set up a MHS Genesis Patient Portal account, visit https://Patientportal.mhsgenesis.health.mil.
Establishing a Tricare-West Portal account will allow you to access your referrals.
In order to access your patient records on the MHS Genesis portal, you will require premium access which does not come at any extra cost. You can upgrade to a premium account at any time by verifying your identity. Those individuals with a Common Access Card will be automatically upgraded to a premium level account.
“We must change in order to meet the needs of our patients and beneficiaries,” said Stellabotte. “We appreciate your patience and look forward to your feedback as well. Ultimately our goal is to make sure we are taking care of you, your needs and your family’s needs.”
For more information about the MHS Genesis health system, visit www.health.mil/MHSGENESIS.