Appointments

Appointment 'No Shows' hurt everybody

Patients who neither keep, reschedule, or cancel their scheduled appointments have a negative impact on the care we are able to offer. This includes loss of medical staff, curtailment of services, and the inability of fellow patients to get appointments. If the patient arrives more than 10 minutes late, staff will offer to work the patient in to see their provider (or a different provider) before the end of day. If the patient chooses to reschedule, the patient status will then be considered as a “No-Show”. We ask all beneficiaries of our facilities to help reduce "No Shows" and contact us prior to an appointment to cancel or reschedule. To help ensure that we provide you with the greatest patient care possible, we recommend that you please plan to arrive 5 to 10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment.

In the event you cannot make your appointment

We understand that sometimes circumstances come up that may prohibit you from keeping your hospital appointment. In the event you cannot keep your appointment please call to cancel as early as possible.

To cancel an appointment call (866) 957-9224 and press Option 2 or log into your patient portal, MHS Genesis

- If you require emergency care, dial 911 and go to the nearest emergency room. 24/7 TRICARE telephone: dial 1-800-874-2273

Urgent care appointments (acute):

If you require an acute or urgent care appointment for a non-emergency illness or injury (ear ache, high fever, etc), the military treatment facility must provide you an appointment within 24 hours at the military treatment facility. If it is after hours please call Tricare’s Nurse Advice line at 800-874-2273 24/7. All Active Duty must obtain a referral for Urgent Care facilities not at the MTF from the RN case manager by calling Tricare’s Nurse Advice line at 800-874-2273.

Telehealth for urgent care is offered 24/7. Get care from your home right away. Visit https://weed-irwin.tricare.mil/Getting-Care/Telemedicine-Services for more information.

To make an appointment, log into the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal at: https://patientportal.mhsgenesis.health.mil. Use Patient Portal to send a message to your provider or call the Central Appointment Desk.

Routine primary care appointments:

If you require an appointment for routine care (flu, colds, allergies, check-ups, etc) the military treatment facility must provide you an appointment within 7 days.

Wellness care appointments:

If you require an appointment for a wellness visit, (mammogram, pap smears, physicals, health maintenance, etc), the military treatment facility must provide you an appointment within 28 days.

Specialty care appointments:

If you require an initial appointment for specialty care, (cardiology, orthopedics, podiatry, etc), the military treatment facility must provide you an initial appointment within 28 days.

Follow-up visits (per medical plan):

Access standards do not apply to follow-up visits. The provider requesting the appointment determines the standard.

Preparing For Your Visit

• Consider bringing someone with you who can provide moral support and help advocate for you. If you are unable to bring someone with you to your appointment, you may request a staff chaperone.
• If you have a service animal please register them with the Patient Advocate prior to your first appointment. If you need interpreter services or sign language please contact the Patient Advocate to assist with arrangements. 
• Come to your visit with a list of prioritized questions for your provider. This will optimize your time with your provider and ensure you leave with all of your most important questions answered. You can use the Discussion Guide below guide the conversation with your provider. 
• Bring any important medical records you have from your previous health care provider. Also bring any recent records from civilian providers to review with your care team. Having a summary document with health history including chronic conditions, medications, immunizations and previous illnesses or surgeries will help guide the conversation with your new provider. 
• Bring your Uniformed Services ID card.
• It is helpful to have either your prescription bottles with you, or a list of prescriptions and dosage information with you at your appointment, including any over-the-counter vitamins or supplements you are taking. Be sure to tell your provider if you have changed prescriptions or dosage.
• You may not be able to address everything on your list during a single appointment. Be sure to schedule a follow up appointment to ensure that all your concerns are addressed. It is not unusual to run out of time during an appointment. However, it is important that each issue is given appropriate time and scheduling another appointment is the best way to ensure that this occurs.

Discussion Guide

BEFORE YOUR VISIT

Consider bringing someone with you who can provide moral support and help advocate for you. If you are unable to bring someone with you to your appointment, you may request a staff chaperone.

DISCUSSIONS WITH YOUR PROVIDER

Any concerns, feelings, or questions you have about your health and care?
 

Finding TRICARE Resources 

Need to find information about referrals, claims, and enrollment information? Visit the TriWest Patient Portal.  

Visit the TRICARE Resources page for information on setting up your secure beneficiary portal account, available education resources, and more.