Introduction
In a recent update from the Department of Defense, military health system beneficiaries are urged to take action regarding their old medical records. With changes to the Tricare Online Patient Portal underway, it’s essential for individuals to secure their health information before April 1.
Background
The Defense Health Agency has completed its transition to the MHS Genesis electronic health record system, marking a significant shift in how military medical records are managed. As part of this transition, the Tricare Online Patient Portal will soon be decommissioned, affecting how beneficiaries access their historical health data.
Key Recommendations
To ensure continuity of care and personal access to medical history, beneficiaries are advised to download their digital records from the Tricare Online portal. This proactive step allows individuals to maintain copies that can be shared with healthcare providers or stored for personal reference.
Accessing Records
Beneficiaries can log in to www.tricareonline.com using DS Logon, Common Access Card, or myPay credentials. Once logged in, they should navigate to the “Health Record” tab and follow the instructions to download PDF or XML continuity of care files containing their medical data. You can also visit the Patient Resources page here https://www.tricare.mil/records
What to Expect
It’s important to note that older records may not be complete, depending on when beneficiaries first entered the military health system and when their facility transitioned to MHS Genesis. However, healthcare providers will continue to have access to complete records for ongoing treatment purposes.
Future Considerations
Looking ahead, the Defense Department aims for seamless integration of electronic health records with the VA system, ensuring comprehensive medical data accessibility across military and veteran healthcare networks.
Conclusion
Taking proactive steps now to download and securely store personal medical records ensures readiness for future healthcare needs. For detailed instructions and additional information, please visit the original article on Military.com here.
Acknowledgment
This blog post is based on reporting by Patricia Kime for Military.com, providing essential updates for military health system beneficiaries.