Useful tools are available to access Army medicine from anywhere

By Lori Newman, Brooke Army Medical Center Public AffairsJanuary 28, 2016

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- The Army medical system offers some easy to use tools to help manage your health care needs from home or while on the go.

"The Military Health System has developed several programs over the last few years that can assist you and your family obtain the medical care they need," said Army Maj. Renee Zmijski, chief of the Clinical Operations Division at Brooke Army Medical Center.

TRICARE Online is a useful tool that is available 24/7 from your computer or other internet capable device. Beneficiaries can find a doctor, refill a prescription or transfer enrollment to another military treatment facility.

"TRICARE Online is easy to use," Zmijski said. "You can make, change or cancel a primary care appointment on the site within a few minutes.

"TRICARE Online has a prescription refill option," she said. "All you do is type your prescription numbers in the box, hit enter and wait to receive the date your prescription will be ready for pick-up."

TOL also will send appointment reminders via text message or email.

To learn more about TOL, visit http://tricareonline.com for simple step-by-step instructions.

Using the Army's Secure Messaging Service allows TRICARE beneficiaries to directly contact their health care team via the internet.

"Secure Messaging is a great way the stay in touch with your primary health care provider," Zmijski said. "I use it to request medication refills from my provider and to ask follow up questions after an appointment."

The Secure Messaging website also has an extensive patient education library people can easily access from the comfort of their home.

To learn more about Secure Messaging visit https://app.relayhealth.com.

A third innovative tool for TRICARE beneficiaries is the Nurse Advice Line. This allows people to speak to a nurse anytime, day or night.

"The Nurse Advice Line is a great resource for getting general health questions answered or to get advice about your symptoms and what treatment options will work for you," said Zmijski. "It's simple and quick and you can also get information about caring for your child if they are ill."

If the nurse recommends that the caller see a provider, then appointment services will be offered. To use the NAL, call 1-800-874-2273 and select option 1.

"These three tools can save people time and help them manage their military health care easily and conveniently," Zmijski said.

Related Links:

Brooke Army Medical Center

TRICARE Online