William Beaumont Army Medical Center to adapt new electronic healthcare record for active duty & retired personnel
FORT BLISS, Texas – William Beaumont Army Medical Center and El Paso Market will transition to the Military Health System’s new electronic health record, MHS GENESIS, on June 11.
When fully deployed, MHS GENESIS will provide a single health record for service members, veterans, and their families. The new system offers enhanced, secure technology, integrating inpatient and outpatient health records from the point of injury to the military medical treatment facility.
“MHS Genesis is a game-changer for our military health system,” said Col. Brett Venable, El Paso market director and commander of WBAMC. “It is the cornerstone of the MHS’ digital transformation and will improve access, safety, and quality of care for our beneficiaries.”
The new MHS GENESIS Patient Portal will replace the TRICARE Online Patient Portal and Secure Email Messaging. With the new portal, patients have 24/7 secure access to view their health records (such as lab results), submit prescription renewals, request medical and active duty dental appointments, send secure email messages to their healthcare team. TRICARE beneficiaries will need a Common Access Card (CAC) or a Defense Self-service (DS) Logon account to access the new MHS GENESIS Patient Portal.
Before June 11, patients should verify that their information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) is up-to-date. Patients can learn more at www.tricare.mil/DEERS. Patients can also create a DS Logon account by visiting https://patientportal.mhsgenesis.health.mil. For help with the DS Logon, patients can call Global Service Center at 1-800-600-9332 or the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) at 1-800-368-3665.
During this time of transition, patients can expect an increase in wait times while healthcare teams adapt clinic practices to new technology and workflows. WBAMC staff members will continue to provide safe, high quality health care while also receiving training in the new system. From June 13-23, only 50 percent of appointments will be available. From June 27 to July 31, only 75 percent of appointments will be available. WBAMC anticipates going back to 100 percent appointment availability on August 1, 2022.
TRICARE beneficiaries will also experience unusual wait times with laboratory and pharmacy services. Patients are encouraged to have prescription refills on hand. Other pharmacy options include Pharmacy Home Delivery (www.tricare.mil/homedelivery or 877-363-1303) and TRICARE network pharmacies. Patients can book all necessary wellness and annual appointments prior to June 11 and complete any lab tests, radiology visits, pharmacy refills or renewals. Beneficiaries are encouraged to obtain a hard copy of referrals for care for their records and use. The Nurse Advice Line (800-874-2273) is open 24/7 to triage symptoms and help patients find care. Families and retirees don’t need a referral to receive urgent care at a TRICARE-authorized urgent care center or network provider within the city of El Paso. TRICARE beneficiaries in the El Paso Market can visit https://william-beaumont.tricare.mil/Getting-Care/MHS-Genesis to learn more.
