New MiCare system improves communication with patients Published Oct. 21, 2013 By Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The Spangdahlem Medical Clinic's new secure messaging system, MiCare, is set to launch Jan. 1, 2014. MiCare is a confidential online healthcare messaging system that allows members to communicate with healthcare teams, get test results, request prescription refills, and maintain personal health records. "MiCare was created to give patients and our medical care team a venue to communicate securely over email about medical questions, lab results, and prescription refills," said Capt Sarah Whitson, 52d Medical Group, Group Practice Manager from Richwood, Ohio. "They [patients] don't have to worry about HIPAA (Health Information Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) violations, and they don't have to take time out of their day to sit on hold trying to get an appointment or try to get in touch with their primary care team." The new program also allows the clinic to send out notifications to registered beneficiaries such as health alerts or local events like the health fair taking place Oct 30 from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. at the Brick House. "MiCare is for everyone," Whitson said. "It will save providers time; it will save patients time. It will allow people to miss less work since they won't be having as many appointments, and they won't spend as much time on the phone either." MiCare also allows patients to keep the communication record with the primary care team in order to reference later for repeated occurrences. Registering is made easy at the local medical treatment facility. "Fill out the registration form and return it to your primary care team or the TOPA (TRICARE Operations and Patient Administration) section," Whitson said. "Any primary care or TOPA staff member will verify your identity. Following the in-person submission of your registration, you will receive an email asking you to complete the registration process online." Any TRICARE Prime enrolled patient can register for MiCare. Once registered, patients will remain in the system. When members do a permanent change of station the account will travel with the patient and be able to connect with the new clinic. MiCare should only be used for routine, non-urgent care issues. If you have an urgent issue, call 117 or the TRICARE Nurse Advise Line, 0080-4759-2330. TRICARE Online at www.tricareonline.com is still available to schedule appointments or contact the appointment line at DSN 452-8333. Whitson simplified what the base populous should expect through the new program with emphasis on her excitement. "MiCare is awesome, and that's all you need to know," she said. For more information about MiCare email 52MDG.sghg.workflow@us.af.mil.