Contacting your doctor just became much easier

  • Published
  • By Capt. Josh Leslie
  • 673d Medical Group
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  If you are like most people, playing phone tag with your primary care clinic is not your favorite game.

Waiting on the phone for an appointment is also not very fun, especially now that summer is arriving and everything Alaska has to offer is beckoning you.

Wouldn't it be much better if you could just send a message to your doctor with the expectation that they will reply back? Or send a message to your clinic requesting an appointment without having to wait to talk to someone?

You now have that ability. Starting last December, the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson hospital started using a new program called MiCare.

This program is web-based, requires a short password that never expires, and allows you to do the things mentioned above and more.

Wherever you can access the Internet you can access MiCare - even on your smart phone.

Want an appointment?

Send a message telling the clerk when you are most available and what the appointment is for. Within a day or two you will get a reply telling you when the appointment is.

Have a lingering problem that has been bothering you and you just want to ask your doctor about it without having to come in? Fill out a webVisit on MiCare.

Do you need a copy of your child's shot records, but you really don't feel like driving all the way down from the valley after it snowed last night and gas is $4.21 a gallon? Send a message to your child's doctor and ask them to send you an electronic copy.
Do you have a question about a medication your doctor prescribed, or are you out of refills? Send a message to your doctor.

It really is that easy.

Not only does MiCare allow for secure messaging with your provider team, but it also is an easy way for you to see some of your medical information online in your Personal Health Record.

You can view lab test results, a history of problems and procedures, allergies, a list of your medications, and more.

If you receive any medical care outside of a military treatment facility, you can add that information to your Personal Health Record so your provider team can view it and you can track it more easily.

So who is eligible for MiCare? Anyone enrolled in the Family Health Clinic, Pediatric Clinic, and Internal Medicine Clinic at the JBER hospital.

Patients enrolled in Flight Medicine will be able to sign up this summer.

Other than being enrolled, all you will need is an e-mail address.

Signing up is easy too! All you have to do is fill out a registration card and drop it off at the check-in window of any of the primary care clinics.

A staff member will verify your ID, load your info into the system, and a message will be sent to the e-mail address you provided. Check your e-mail and follow the simple instructions to activate your account.

If you want your children to enjoy the benefits of MiCare, you can add your children to the account and secure message on their behalf.

They will not need to fill out a card. However, due to privacy rules any child 13 years or older will need to have their own account.

If you have any questions, please ask a clinic staff member during your next visit. If you have already signed up, but are having trouble logging in, call 1-(866)-RELAYME.