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DOD to begin next major phase of military hospital consolidation
August 27, 2019 — The Department of Defense is preparing for the next major step in consolidating military hospitals and clinics under a single agency, one of the largest organizational changes within the U.S. military in decades... MORE

Lt. Col. Juli Fung-Hayes (center), a U.S. Army Reserve emergency medicine physician with the 2nd Medical Brigade, leads a medic team from the 396th Combat Support Hospital, headquartered at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, through a trauma and critical care scenario in a field hospital during a promotional photo shoot for Army Reserve marketing and recruiting at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, July 18, 2018.

For healthy older adults, new shingles vaccine is worth the wait
August 16, 2019 — Availability of the new shingles vaccine is improving across the Military Health System, according to Defense Health Agency Immunization Healthcare. The vaccine, Shingrix, is recommended for healthy adults 50 and older to prevent the painful skin rash that can have debilitating long-term effects for older people... MORE

Pharmacist Angelina Cox prepares a dose of shingles vaccine to administer to a TRICARE beneficiary.

Sailor 360 hosts cardboard boat race at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston
June 11, 2019 — Sailors from the Navy Medicine Training Support Command, Defense Health Agency and Navy Medicine Education, Training and Logistics Command competed in a cardboard boat race at the Medicine Education Training Campus pool May 24... MORE

Sailors assigned to Navy Medicine Training Support Command, Defense Health Agency and Navy Medicine Education, Training and Logistics Command completed in a cardboard boat race as part of a Sailor 360 event at the Medicine Education Training Campus. The event was part of Sailor 360, a Navy initiative to develop innovative and creative command-developed leadership programs.

Defense Health Agency director discusses healthcare transformation at BAMC town hall
May 21, 2019 — U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Raquel Bono, Defense Health Agency director, held a town hall meeting at Brooke Army Medical Center May 14 to answer questions about the military health system transformation and how it will further improve healthcare delivery for warfighters, family members and military retirees... MORE

U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Raquel Bono, Defense Health Agency director, discusses the DHA transition during a town hall meeting at Brooke Army Medical Center May 14. BAMC will transition under DHA command and authority Oct. 1.

BAMC app now available for patients, visitors, staff
April 30, 2019 — Brooke Army Medical Center now has an app available for download on any mobile device. The app, designed by the Defense Health Agency, allows patients, visitor and staff to quickly access information such as pharmacy wait times, facility directory and quick reference information from their cell phone. ... MORE

Brooke Army Medical Center is launching a new app for patients, visitors and staff. The app, designed by the Defense Health Agency, allows users to quickly access information such as pharmacy wait times, facility directory, and quick reference information.

Health care transition looks to improve processes for wartime missions, beneficiaries
April 10, 2019 — At the direction of Congress, the military health care system is going through a substantial set of changes in its structure and how it will operate, said Robert Daigle, the Department of Defense Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation director... MORE

At the direction of Congress, the military health care system is going through a substantial set of changes in its structure and how it will operate, said Robert Daigle, the Department of Defense Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation director.

DHA director: patient care will remain steadfast despite staff cuts
April 8, 2019 — Given proposed military medical staffing reductions, the Defense Health Agency and the services are working together closely so access to care and availability of health services are consistently maintained for beneficiaries, the DHA director said on Capitol Hill April 3... MORE

Air Force Capt. (Dr.) Lauren Lee examines Faunia Rodriguez at the Brooke Army Medical Center Hematology/Oncology Clinic Nov. 6, 2018.

San Antonio Wardroom Association PDC Hosts Mock Promotion Board at the METC
February 8, 2019 — The San Antonio Wardroom Association, or SAWA, hosted a professional development mock, officer promotion board at the Medical Education and Training Campus at Joint Base San Antonio Fort Sam Houston Jan. 18... MORE

Senior naval officers sit as board members of a mock officer promotion board at the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC). The board was comprised of officers from the Navy Nurse Corps, Dental Corps and Medical Service Corps, including Rear Adm. Tina Davidson, Navy Nurse Corps director.

New year, new you: setting realistic goals
January 29, 2019 — Every New Year, thousands of people make personal pacts to improve their lives over the coming year – workout more; catch up with old friends; watch less TV… and of course, make better food choices... MORE

Nutritionists stress people eat healthy, well-balanced meals, include exercise and set realistic goals for weight loss.

TRICARE open enrollment gives plan choices to beneficiaries
November 13, 2018 — Beneficiaries of TRICARE who want to make changes to their health care coverage are now able to do so during the TRICARE enrollment period that starts Nov. 12. TRICARE Open Season gives enrollees in the TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select plans the opportunity to review their health care options and make changes in coverage based on their needs. ... MORE

Vice Adm. Raquel Bono, Defense Health Agency director, said the TRICARE Open Season enrollment period gives beneficiaries a choice in what they want to do with their health care coverage. Bono spoke about the new enrollment period process during a news conference in San Antonio Nov. 10.

Air Force deploys metrics, quantifies value of medical readiness
September 28, 2018 — As the Defense Health Agency assumes management of Air Force military treatment facilities, one of the most important challenges facing the Air Force is its ability to maintain the readiness mission hospitals and clinics support... MORE

As the Defense Health Agency assumes management of Air Force military treatment facilities, one of the most important challenges facing the Air Force is its ability to maintain the readiness mission hospitals and clinics support.

Phase 1 of Defense Health Agency transition set to begin
September 25, 2018 — The Defense Health Agency will assume responsibility for the administration and management of healthcare at all military medical treatment facilities through a phased approached starting Oct. 1... MORE

Leaders of the Defense Health Agency and the U.S. Air Force Surgeon General discuss changes made to the 4th Medical Group’s new facility, Sept. 6, 2018, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. Military medicine is changing to a single, integrated health system designed around patients and ensuring military medical readiness beginning in Oct. 1, 2018. Over time, the integration and standardization of healthcare will provide patients with a consistent, high-quality health care experience, no matter where they are.

DHA director discusses ‘forward momentum’ for new health record system
July 27, 2018 — The Military Health System is looking how to best incorporate feedback as it advances with the deployment of the new electronic health record system called MHS GENESIS, the director of the Defense Health Agency said... MORE

Navy Vice Adm. Raquel C. Bono, director of the Defense Health Agency, and Stacy Cummings, program executive officer for Defense Health Management Systems, answer questions about the progress of MHS GENESIS electronic health record, during the 2018 Defense Health Information Technology Symposium in Orlando, Florida, July 24.

San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium ceremony honors 233 graduating residents, fellows
June 15, 2018 — A San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium graduation ceremony was held June 7 at the Lila Cockrell Theatre in downtown San Antonio. The ceremony honored 47 fellows and 149 residents from 34 graduate medical education programs and 37 graduates from 11 graduate allied healthcare education programs. ... MORE

Army Maj. Tyson Sjulin, pulmonary/critical care fellow, receives the Commander’s Award for Fellow Clinical Research during the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium graduation ceremony held June 7 at the Lila Cockrell Theatre in downtown San Antonio. Also pictured are (from left) Vice Adm. Raquel Bono, director of the Defense Health Agency; Air Force Maj. Gen. Bart O. Iddins, 59th Medical Wing commander; Army Brig. Gen. George Appenzeller, Brooke Army Medical Center commander; and Dr. Woodson Scott Jones, dean of SAUSHEC

359th Medical Group proves to be a medical ready force
May 8, 2018 — Members of the 359th Medical Group reported during a bag drag recall at the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph clinic May 3. The recall was conducted to measure military preparedness, operational readiness mindset and to support the Air Force Medical Service and Defense Health Agency goals of a Medically Ready Force and a Ready Medical Force... MORE

359th Medical Group service members report during a bag drag recall at the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph clinic, May 3. The recall was conducted to measure military preparedness, operational readiness mindset and to support the Air Force Medical Service and Defense Health Agency goals of a Medically Ready Force and a Ready Medical Force.

Migration to Defense Health Agency to modernize Army medicine, surgeon general says
May 2, 2018 — To help modernize the Department of Defense's medical community, the Army's surgeon general, along with the other services, have been taking the necessary steps to migrate certain authorities and control from the military departments to the Defense Health Agency... MORE

Lt. Gen. Nadja Y. West, the Army Surgeon General and commanding general for Army Medical Command, addressed the Army's fiscal year 2019 funding request and budget justification before the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations on Capitol Hill, April 26.

Military Surgeons General testify on medical readiness at Senate hearing
April 30, 2018 — The services’ surgeons general updated senators on Capitol Hill April 26 on the needs and priorities of military health programs... MORE

Medical personnel from William Beaumont Army Medical Center on Fort Bliss, Texas, prepare for treatment of a simulated postpartum hemorrhage using the center’s new simulation system, which provides cutting-edge scenarios for training to medical staff, March 29, 2018. The new simulation system aims to increase communication and improve interdisciplinary and clinical performance of staff when treating obstetrics emergencies.

Take command: Urgent care now easier to access
January 30, 2018 — As of Jan. 1, 2018, most TRICARE Prime enrollees no longer need a referral for urgent care visits and point-of-service charges no longer apply for urgent care claims... MORE

Take command: Enroll now for 2018 TRICARE coverage
November 14, 2017 — On Jan. 1, 2018, there are a number of changes coming to your TRICARE benefit. This includes a change to the current TRICARE regions. The current three regions (North, South and West) will become two regions (East and West). There will be new regional contractors for the new East and West regions. Humana Military will manage the East Region and Health Net Federal Services, LLC will manage the West Region. In preparation for this change, enrollments in TRICARE health plans will be delayed while beneficiary files are transferred to the incoming regional contractors. The delay period, or an enrollment freeze, will begin on Dec. 1, 2017 and last approximately three weeks, or until the data transfer is complete... MORE

Starting Jan. 1, 2018, cost changes for TRICARE benefits transition from a fiscal year period to a calendar year period. Changing from fiscal year (Oct. 1 – Sept. 30) to calendar year (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31) makes the TRICARE benefit consistent with civilian health plans. The change will largely affect those plans which have an enrollment fee and are currently billed by the fiscal year.

Gateway momentum impresses Defense Health Agency director
March 14, 2017 — The Defense Health Agency director praised the 59th Medical Wing’s Gateway Performance System during a Feb. 24 visit to the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center... MORE

Vice Adm. Raquel Bono describes how the Gateway Performance System could be used across the Military Health System at the 59th Medical Wing Gateway Academy in Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 24. Bono is the Defense Health Agency director. The DHA supports the delivery of integrated, affordable, and high quality health services to Military Health System beneficiaries and is responsible for driving greater integration of clinical and business processes across the MHS. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)