FALLS CHURCH, Va. – A critical update for TRICARE beneficiaries: the TRICARE Online Patient Portal is scheduled to retire on April 1st. This means if you want to retain personal copies of your health records, you must Download Online before this date. The Department of Defense (DOD) is decommissioning the portal as part of the full transition to MHS GENESIS, their new, comprehensive electronic health record system. This transition signifies a major upgrade in how military health records are managed, but it also necessitates immediate action from users to download online and save their legacy data.
Rear Adm. Tracy Farrill emphasizes the importance of this proactive step. “All military hospitals and clinics are now using MHS GENESIS. We strongly advise you to take these crucial steps to download your personal health records before the TRICARE Online Patient Portal is decommissioned,” she stated. “Your medical history is an invaluable asset for managing your health. Taking the initiative to download these records now ensures you maintain continuous access should you need them in the future.”
Here’s a comprehensive guide on what you need to know and do before the TRICARE Online Patient Portal shuts down.
Why is the TRICARE Online Patient Portal Being Decommissioned?
The primary reason for decommissioning the TRICARE Online Patient Portal is the successful rollout and implementation of the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal. MHS GENESIS represents a significant advancement, offering 24/7 access to your Electronic Health Record (EHR) as detailed in the TRICARE Choices in the United States Handbook. This advanced system consolidates patient portals, eliminating the need for two separate platforms and streamlining EHR management.
MHS GENESIS enhances the patient experience by providing a wider range of online capabilities. Beyond simply viewing records, you can leverage MHS GENESIS to:
- Book and manage appointments online: Easily schedule and cancel appointments directly through the portal.
- Request prescription refills and renewals online: Simplify your medication management with online requests.
- Access clinical notes and test results online: Stay informed about your health status by viewing notes and results online.
- Communicate securely online with your healthcare team: Maintain direct and confidential communication with secure messaging features.
The transition to MHS GENESIS is designed to provide a more integrated and user-friendly experience, making online access to your health information more efficient and comprehensive. However, this advancement necessitates the decommissioning of the older TOL system, underscoring the importance of users taking action to download online their historical data.
What Will Happen to Your Health Records?
Rest assured, your health records are not disappearing. Here’s a breakdown of access post-decommissioning:
- Provider Access: Your healthcare providers will maintain uninterrupted access to your complete medical history through the MHS GENESIS system. This ensures continuity of care.
- Personal Access & The Need to Download Online: While providers will have seamless access, your direct online access to historical records via the TOL Patient Portal will end on April 1st. To retain personal copies of these legacy records for your own use, you must download them online before this deadline.
After April 1st, obtaining legacy records will require a more traditional approach. You will need to request a physical copy from your military hospital or clinic’s records management office. This process involves completing a request form in person and returning later to collect the physical copies. Therefore, the most convenient and immediate way to secure your records is to download online now.
Immediate Action Required: How to Download Your Records Online
To download copies of your legacy health records online, follow these straightforward steps before April 1st:
- Visit TRICARE Online: Go to www.TRICAREOnline.com in your web browser.
- Log In Securely: Sign in using your existing DS Logon, CAC, or DFAS myPay credentials. If you are a new user or need to create a DS Logon, click “Need An Account” and follow the prompts for account creation.
- Access Your Health Record: Once logged in to the TOL homepage, locate and click the blue “Health Record” button. This will take you to your personal health data dashboard.
- Initiate Download: Find and select the “Download My Data” option. You will then be presented with various data categories available for online download.
- Customize Your Download: Specify your preferences for the download. You can customize by:
- Person: Choose whose records you want to download, especially relevant for families.
- Data Types: Select specific categories of health data you wish to download.
- Date Range: Define the period for which you need records.
- Format: Choose your preferred download format. You can opt for:
- Portable Document Format (.pdf): Ideal for easy viewing, printing, and general record-keeping.
- Continuity of Care Document (.xml) (CCD): This format facilitates data sharing with other healthcare providers, systems, or personal health record platforms.
- Execute Download and Save: After configuring your settings, proceed with the download. Once completed, you can choose to open the downloaded file immediately or save it to a secure location on your device for future access. Consider printing a hard copy for physical storage as well.
By following these steps, you can efficiently download your TRICARE health records online, ensuring you have a personal copy before the portal’s decommissioning.
Important Considerations Regarding Your Downloaded Records
Keep these critical details in mind as you download your health records online:
- No Automatic Transfer to MHS GENESIS: Records from the TOL Patient Portal will not be automatically migrated to MHS GENESIS upon decommissioning. The onus is on you to download online if you require personal copies of this historical data.
- Addressing Potential Record Gaps: TOL records reflect data from periods when your military treatment facility used the TOL system. If you’ve moved duty stations, your MHS GENESIS record might have gaps if previous facilities used TOL. These “gap” records are precisely what you need to download online from the TOL Patient Portal to ensure a complete health history.
- 30-Year Download Limit: You can download online records spanning the past 30 years from the date of your TOL login.
- Data Security is Your Responsibility Post-Download: Once you download or print your personal health information, safeguarding it becomes your responsibility. Employ secure storage practices, avoiding unsecure devices or platforms for saving sensitive health data.
It’s also important to note that this decommissioning process will not impede your ability to file claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Providers will retain access to your comprehensive health records irrespective of the TOL portal closure.
Accessing Children’s Health Records Online
The TOL Patient Portal provides online access to children’s health records with some age-based distinctions:
- Children Under 12: You can view all available health data online for your children in this age group.
- Children Aged 12-17: Online access is provided for COVID-19, coronavirus, and flu test results, alongside allergies, vitals, and immunization data. Due to state privacy regulations, online access to other health data for this age group is limited. For complete records, you’ll need to request printed copies from your child’s clinic or provider.
Time is of the Essence: Download Your Records Today
The deadline is April 1st. The TRICARE Online Patient Portal will no longer be accessible after this date. Act now to download and securely store your health records. Proactive action today ensures easy access to your health history whenever you need it. Visit the TOL Patient Portal to begin the download process now.
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