Officials with the 59th Medical Wing are encouraging
eligible patients to give TRICARE Online another look and take advantage of
recent upgrades aimed at improving the user experience.
TOL, the Department of Defense’s online patient-focused
portal, gives beneficiaries secure, anytime access to health care information
and services. The portal is open to TRICARE patients, at least 18 years old,
receiving care at a military hospital or clinic.
“The improvements to TOL are great. It’s easier than ever
for our patients to schedule appointments themselves without having to call the
appointment line. They can also easily refill prescriptions and access or print
select medical documents, saving them a trip to the clinic,” said Maj. Joseph
Popham, TRICARE Operations and Patient Administration flight commander with the
59th Medical Support Squadron.
The appointment-setting feature includes options for
beneficiaries to make, change and cancel appointments; view future and past
appointments; and set up email and text message reminders.
Family members over the age of 18 must have their own TOL
account, but authorized family members – based on relationships established in
the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS - can manage
appointments and prescription refills for other family members for whom they’ve
been granted access, according to the TOL website.
“An active-duty Airman can grant his spouse the ability to
book and cancel appointments for the couple and their dependent children,”
Popham explained.
Another feature of TOL online is called Blue Button, a tool
giving beneficiaries easy access to their medical record information. Patients
can review, print or download information about medications, allergies,
immunization records and lab and radiology results.
Beneficiaries can also use the site to get refills on
existing prescriptions for themselves and their family members, Popham said.
“Users can request up to 10 refills at a time and check
their status,” he explained.
For active-duty members transitioning out of the military,
TOL includes a service separation page with medical information and guidance
for people preparing to separate from active duty or the reserves. The page
includes guidance on filing a VA disability claim, has access to the Transition
Assistance Program portal, and offers steps to assist service members through
the separation process.
“TOL has really improved over the past year,” Popham said.
“We hope everybody signs up and takes a few moments to look around. The site
has a lot to offer.”
The system is user-friendly and registration takes only a
few minutes:
1. Go to http://www.tricareonline.com and click “Log In.”
2. Log in with a DOD Self-Service username /password, DOD
common access card, or DFAS myPay credentials. Users without a CAC or myPay
account can register for DS logon credentials by clicking “Register.”
3. Select a TOL feature to explore.