JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
The Brooke Army Medical Center Pharmacy Department offers several services to enhance the patient experience, implementing some new features to improve services and provide solutions to keep patients informed about their prescriptions.
Some of the service options include an automated wait-time dashboard available through the BAMC Internet page, as well as a prescription auto-notification to inform patients when prescription refills are ready for pick up.
“We want to improve our customers’ experience by providing services that will keep our patients informed about the availability of their medications,” said Army Maj. Christopher Everett, deputy chief of the BAMC Pharmacy Department. “Patients have several locations and methods available to receive their medications, while being able to maximize their time.”
Wait Times
The wait time dash board is a tool that patients can utilize in order to view pharmacy wait times throughout all BAMC pharmacies. To view pharmacy wait times, patients can visit the BAMC website at https://www.bamc.amedd.army.mil/. Click on the Pharmacy Wait Times icon underneath the clinic photos. Patients can choose their desired pharmacy location and see how long they can expect to wait to get their prescriptions filled at the current time. To ensure the times are accurate, the screen refreshes automatically every 20 seconds.
Refill Text Notifications
This service informs enrolled patients of when their called in refill prescriptions are ready for pickup. Patients are now able to enroll to receive text notifications directly to their cell phone.
“We strive to ensure our patients are informed about their medications as we diligently work to provide the highest level of customer service,” Everett said.
This service is not yet available at the Taylor Burke (at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis) and Schertz pharmacy locations. To enroll in this program, simply ask the pharmacy team member the next time you’re at the pharmacy window and they will enroll you into auto-notification.
Refill Line
A routine service that BAMC pharmacy provides is the ability to order refills either by phone or at http://www.tricareonline.com.
To refill a prescription, patients can call the automated refill line at 1-800-469-7170 or 210-916-8700. When prompted, patients should select the pharmacy location where they would like the prescription picked up. To order the refills at Tricare online, patients should click “Rx Refill” option on the TRICARE Online home page. Patients will then be asked to confirm their primary military treatment facility from the drop-down menu.
After that selection, they simply select the prescription(s) to refill and choose a Pharmacy Pick-up Location. Called-in refills will be ready in three business days (not including weekend days). Refill prescriptions must be picked up within seven days of the date they are ready.
“Please have your prescription bottles available when ordering refills as you will need the prescription number on the bottle.” Everett said. “More importantly, listen to the follow-on messages to ensure the information is correct.”
Electronic Prescriptions
If a patient is receiving care from a health care provider outside the military treatment facility, the civilian provider can submit electronic prescriptions securely to a BAMC pharmacy. For more information, the provider can call 210-916-6036.
“Your doctor will need to use a specific code when submitting the prescription,” Everett said. “The electronic process also helps prevent medication errors.”
Home Delivery
TRICARE Pharmacy offers home delivery of a 90-day supply of prescription medications at minimal cost. For more information about TRICARE home delivery, call 1-800-238-6095 or visit express-scripts.com/TRICARE Formulary.
“If you don’t want to travel to the pharmacy and spend time waiting, this may be a good option,” Everett said. “We are making every effort to ensure our patient experience at all of our pharmacies is the best it can be. We realize your time is valuable and we want you to know your options when it comes to getting prescription medications at BAMC and the outlying clinics.”
For questions about these pharmacy options, call 210-916-1536, option 6.