22nd MDG forum educates patients

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Victor J. Caputo
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  The 22nd Medical Group hosted the 22nd Air Refueling Wing Health Care Advisory Forum at the Robert J. Dole Community Center Ballroom March 7.

The quarterly forum is held to inform interested parties about any changes at the base clinic. It is also an avenue for the group commander to directly interact with patients.

"I think that we're communicating better with our patients," said Col. Charles Carlton, 22nd MDG commander. "We've been trying to send a message that we truly do care about the population that we serve here."

During the hour-long forum, multiple speakers explained the functions of various squadrons in the group and what they offer to their patients.

One topic many people in the crowd were concerned with was the switch from TriCare to United Health Care, but Carlton was quick to put them at ease.

"Ideally nothing should change," said Carlton. "If there are going to be any changes, it will be benefits to their medical care. It should really be seamless for our patients."

One new program that was unveiled to the crowd was MiCare, a web based platform that allows patients to communicate and exchange information with their health care teams.

"The opportunity to securely communicate with your medical team," said Capt. Geoffrey Obia, 22nd MDG clinical nurse, "will eliminate the annoyance of 'telephone tag' between patients and their primary care team, avoid unnecessary appointments, and ultimately save time for our patients and staff."

In order to be eligible for MiCare, each patient's primary care manager must be assigned to the 22nd MDG. Enrollment will be offered through computers set up inside of the McConnell AFB clinic.

MiCare, which was first implemented by the Department of Defense in 2011, will "go live" at McConnell AFB June 17, 2013. After that date, interested parties can sign up for the service.

Each forum is offered in two sessions, one in the late morning and a second in the evening. The next one will be June 6.

For more information about the MiCare program or general questions about the medical group, call (316) 759-6300 or visit www.mcconnell.af.mil/units/medicalservices.asp.