TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Last year, the Air Force announced a new medical model designed to restore the overall readiness of our military in an effort to return more Airmen to duty quicker.
Under the new Air Force Medical Reform model, dedicated provider care teams at David Grant USAF Medical Center will be aligned to the 60th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron. The squadron’s primary focus is to proactively treat active duty Airmen, thus improving their availability to support the warfighting mission. Care for non-active duty patients, primarily the families of service members and military retirees, will be handled by separate provider teams aligned to the 60th Health Care Operations Squadron.
These changes to care at DGMC are effective Oct. 1, 2020.
The most significant change is that all active duty members within a particular unit/squadron will now be assigned the same primary care manager.
“The purpose is to allow these specific PCMs to focus on keeping our fighting force ready to deploy to fulfill the military requirements of our national defense strategy,” said Col. Gwendolyn Foster, 60th MDG commander. “This change is part of one of the biggest transformations in the Air Force Medical Service’s history and is not unique to Travis AFB. Our vision is to maximize the benefits of this re-organization and to continue to build the healthiest population through the delivery of patient-centered, highly reliable healthcare.”
The 60 MDG anticipates that all PCM changes will be complete Oct. 1, 2020. Beneficiaries who are being impacted should receive a post card informing them of their PCM change and no further action is needed.
“As with all change, we understand that this can create some stressors,” Foster said. “However, you can trust DGMC. This transition will allow us to better serve both the warfighter and active duty family members/retired beneficiaries.”
Q: Why might my PCM be changing?
A: To better serve our beneficiaries, the 60th Medical Group is undergoing changes that will impact PCM assignments. The purpose is to allow specific PCMs to focus on keeping our fighting force ready to deploy and fulfill the military requirements of our national defense strategy. The majority of Air Force military treatment facilities are undergoing these same changes. This strategic change will assign all active duty members to 60th OMRS providers. These providers will only see/treat active duty personnel. All non-active duty patients will be assigned to 60th HCOS providers. Family members currently empaneled to Flight Medicine will not be impacted.
Q: How will I know who my new PCM is?
A: Active duty and non-active duty patient PCM assignments will be updated by Oct. 1, 2020. To verify your PCM assignment:
- Visit MilConnect at the following link: https://milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect/ .
- Select Manage Health Benefits and sign-in (CAC-enabled; registration required if you do not have an account).
- View your PCM assignment at the top of the screen.
Q: Will I or my dependents be able to keep their same PCM?
A: Unfortunately, not all patients will keep their current assigned PCM. All non-active duty patients will be empaneled to 60th HCOS providers.
Q: Do these changes affect my children’s Pediatrician assignment?
A: No. All patients currently enrolled to pediatrics will not be affected by these changes.
Q: Does this impact the physical location of clinics?
A: No
Q: Where do I check-in for my primary care appointment?
A: All non-active duty patients will continue to check in at the Family Medicine Residency Clinic or the Family Health Clinic. All active duty patients will check in at the Warrior Medicine Clinic, which is co-located with Family Health Clinic. Pediatric patients will continue to check in at the Pediatric Clinic.
Q: What are the new squadron names?
A:
- 60th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron – formerly known as AMDS.
- 60th OMRS includes Public Health, Bioenvironmental Engineering, Flight & Operational Medicine (including PEBLO), Mental Health, Physical Medicine (Physical and Occupational Therapy), Optometry.
- 60th Healthcare Operations Squadron – formerly known as MDOS.
- 60th HCOS includes: Primary Health Teams, Family Medicine Residency Clinic, Family Health Clinic, Pediatrics, Medical Services Flight, Emergency Department.
- All other 60th Medical Group squadrons will remain the same.
Q: How do I make appointments?
A: Please continue to call Central Appointments Desk at (707) 423-3000, Option 1. Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or you may use MHS Genesis Patient Portal to message your provider/care team at https://patientportal.mhsgenesis.health.mil .
Q: What is MHS Genesis Patient Portal?
A: This is a secure website for 24/7 access to your health information, including managing appointments and exchanging messages with your care team.
Q: How do I get access to use MHS Genesis Patient Portal?
A:
- You will need a DS logon to use the MHS Genesis Patient Portal. To register, please visit: https://patientportal.mhsgenesis.health.mil .
- If you do not have a common access card (CAC) or a MyPay account, you will need to create a DS Logon account to access the MHS Genesis Patient Portal.
- To ensure MHS Genesis can confirm your identity and provide the highest levels of cyber security and safeguards of your health information, you will be required to complete a brief verification process. You will be provided 3 minutes to complete a 4 question quiz to verify your identity. Responses may include providing your DOD ID number (found on your military ID card), and some personal information including financial questions, past addresses, etc.
- You will create your MHS Genesis Patient Portal password in the online registration process. Note: a new password will need to be created every 180 days.
- Once you have successfully created your DS Logon, click on “Upgrade to Premium Account” for premium access to view your health information.
For questions on how to sign up for the Patient Portal, please call the Defense Manpower Data Center at (800) 538-9552.