TRICARE Online provides new avenue for appointment making

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristina Overton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Making medical appointments was once only available through phone calls. Now, medical treatment can be arranged through the click of a button with TRICARE Online services.

TRICARE Online provides different information and functions, including the ability to schedule appointments at any time, view functions, maps, contact information and clinic hours, view TRICARE programs such as dental and pharmacy services, create a personal health journal, and access health information and management tools.

"TRICARE Online is beneficial because it's available 24 hours a day and is accessible to everyone," said Capt. Allison Thomas, 341st Medical Group practice manager, "especially those who need to make appointments at work and don't have time to call, or during times when the appointment line is closed."

Potential users have to register on the TRICARE Online homepage in order to take advantage of the many features available. There is no cost or requirement to sign-up and the process can be completed in less than 10 minutes.

To get registered with TRICARE Online:

1. Go to www.TRICAREOnline.com
2. Read the Online Privacy and Security Policy and click "I AGREE"
3. Click "Site Registration"
4. Click "Patient Registration Only (Beneficiary)"
5. Read the disclaimer and click "I AGREE"
6. Follow the directions on the screen to complete registration.

Becoming a registered user of TRICARE Online provides several other benefits. Through the Web site, beneficiaries can request prescription refills, access their personal health records, complete heath assessment review tool questionnaires, and educate themselves and their families through the provided health and wellness content.

By becoming a registered beneficiary on TRICARE Online, users are able to make and cancel appointments for the Malmstrom clinic. To make an appointment online:

1. Go to www.TRICAREOnline.com
2. Read the online privacy and security policy and click "I AGREE"
3. Log on by using a user ID and password
4. Click "Appointments"
5. Select a "Visit Reason" from the drop down menu items and click "View Available Appointments"
6. Available appointments for primary care managers at Malmstrom will be displayed
7. Select an appointment or follow the directions for other options

"When making appointments online, it's important for beneficiaries to make sure they are booking at the right clinic," Captain Thomas said. "There are two options for appointment availability, one of which is a choice for 'other providers at alternate places of care,' which is incorrect. They must make sure that they only click the option for 'other providers in Family Practice.'"

TRICARE Online continues to evolve with new tools and benefits and constantly updates the Web site to provide accurate information for users.

"One of the newer features that will be available on TRICARE Online in the future will be an option where members will be able to make appointments for their dependents on their account without registering them under a different password, which will make it that much easier to get faster health care," she said.

For more information on TRICARE Online, benefits or eligibility criteria, call (800) 600-9332, or visit www.TRICAREOnline.com.