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Sheppard Clinic Medical Minute: Flu Shots, Pharmacy Changes

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  • Sheppard Clinic

Sheppard Clinic Medical Minute

October 2016

 

FLU Shots Available at Network Pharmacies

Sheppard Clinic has not yet received their flu vaccine.  However, you can get your flu shot from a network pharmacy. 

Vaccines administered at your retail pharmacy usually don't require an appointment and use the same effective medications as your physician's office.

  • Be sure to get your vaccine from the pharmacist at the pharmacy, not from the clinic.

  • Before you visit the pharmacy, call them to verify their current vaccination schedule, availability and any age restrictions. Be sure to present your military ID at the time of service.

  • Don’t get the vaccine from an onsite medical clinic at the pharmacy, or you will have to pay the entire cost of the medication.  

    Wal-Mart – 2700 Central Freeway; 940-592-4157

    United Pharmacy – 2522 Iowa Park Road; 940-322-1114

    United Pharmacy – 311 S Av D; 940-569-3319 (Burkburnett)

    United Pharmacy – 4590 Kell Blvd; 940-692-3443

    Downtown Pharmacy – 1100 Scott Av; 940-767-4345

    Integrated Pharmacy – 516 Denver St STE 200; 800-499-1138

    Gruffy’s Drug Store – 1610 9th Street; 940-322-8626

    Franklin Pharmacy – 1013 Brook Av; 940-723-7145

    Park Plaza Pharmacy – 1900 9th Street; 940-322-5492

    Boomtown Drug – 514 S Oklahoma Cut Off (Burkburnett); 940-569-5600

    Iowa Park Pharmacy – 405 SE Access Road (Iowa Park); 940-592-2731

    Hughes Pharmacy – 120 W Park Av (Iowa Park); 940-592-4192

    CVS - 4600 Southwest Pkwy; 940-696-0141

    CVS – 3201 Seymour Hwy; 940-766-1939

    Harvest Drug and Gift – 4426 Kell Blvd; 940-692-7081

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    WALGREENS Returns as a Network Pharmacy on 1 Dec 2016

    Express Scripts, Inc. (ESI) announced upcoming changes to the retail pharmacy network it manages on behalf of TRICARE. On Dec. 1, 2016, Walgreens pharmacy locations will join the network. CVS pharmacies, including those in Target stores, will leave the network on the same day. The new network will have more than 57,000 locations nationwide, and ensures TRICARE beneficiaries have timely access to retail pharmacies in their community.

    ESI is the TRICARE pharmacy contractor, responsible for developing the pharmacy network. ESI reached a new network agreement with Walgreens, which will replace CVS pharmacy in the TRICARE network. This change is intended to provide better value and maintain convenient access for beneficiaries. The addition of Walgreens into the network means that 98 percent of TRICARE beneficiaries will still have a network pharmacy within 5 miles of their home.

    If beneficiaries chose to fill a prescription at CVS after Dec. 1, it will be a non-network pharmacy. This means they will have to pay the full cost of the medication upfront, and file for partial reimbursement.

    ESI and TRICARE are working to notify all beneficiaries of this change, and ensure that people currently using CVS have time to switch to another network pharmacy. ESI is doing additional outreach to patients filling specialty drugs at CVS pharmacies to ensure they can move their prescription with no gap in their prescription coverage.

    Please visit the ESI website for more information on this change.ESI is the TRICARE pharmacy contractor, responsible for developing the pharmacy network. ESI reached a new network agreement with Walgreens, which will replace CVS pharmacy in the TRICARE network. This change is intended to provide better value and maintain convenient access for beneficiaries. The addition of Walgreens into the network means that 98 percent of TRICARE beneficiaries will still have a network pharmacy within 5 miles of their home. Find a network pharmacy at ESI’s website. If beneficiaries chose to fill a prescription at CVS after Dec. 1, it will be a non-network pharmacy. This means they will have to pay the full cost of the medication upfront, and file for partial reimbursement.

    ESI and TRICARE are working to notify all beneficiaries of this change, and ensure that people currently using CVS have time to switch to another network pharmacy. ESI is doing additional outreach to patients filling specialty drugs at CVS pharmacies to ensure they can move their prescription with no gap in their prescription coverage.

    Please visit the ESI website for more information on this change.

    ESI is the TRICARE pharmacy contractor, responsible for developing the pharmacy network. ESI reached a new network agreement with Walgreens, which will replace CVS pharmacy in the TRICARE network. This change is intended to provide better value and maintain convenient access for beneficiaries. The addition of Walgreens into the network means that 98 percent of TRICARE beneficiaries will still have a network pharmacy within 5 miles of their home. Find a network pharmacy at ESI’s website.

    If beneficiaries chose to fill a prescription at CVS after Dec. 1, it will be a non-network pharmacy. This means they will have to pay the full cost of the medication upfront, and file for partial reimbursement.

    ESI and TRICARE are working to notify all beneficiaries of this change, and ensure that people currently using CVS have time to switch to another network pharmacy. ESI is doing additional outreach to patients filling specialty drugs at CVS pharmacies to ensure they can move their prescription with no gap in their prescription coverage.

    Please visit the ESI website for more information on this change.

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Coffee and Conversation

Do you have concerns or suggestions regarding your medical care? This is your time to voice those issues directly to Medical Clinic leadership. Your concerns are important to us and our leadership is here to make a difference. Join us at our monthly Coffee and Conversation - your concerns will be addressed!

Meet us at the “The Commons”, grab a cup of joe and let’s talk!

Mark your calendar with the upcoming dates and times for this patient centered discussion:

12 Oct @ 1200

9 Nov @ 1600

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Mark Your Calendar - Upcoming Sheppard Clinic Closures:

Training Day Change                  Friday, 7 October 1200-1700

Columbus Day Holiday               Monday, 10 October

Veterans Day Holiday                 Friday, 11 November

Thanksgiving Holiday                  Thursday, 24 November

AETC Family Day                        Friday, 25 November

Christmas Holiday                      Monday 26 December

AETC Family Day                        Tuesday, 27 December

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NEW TRICARE Urgent Care Pilot Program

 

Dependents and retirees will be permitted TWO urgent care visits each fiscal year October 1 through September 30 beginning 23 May 2016.  No referral or authorization from the patient’s PCM will be needed.  The pilot program will run 23 May 2016 through 23 May 2019

 

Guidelines for Authorized Care:

- The two visits will not count against any approvals provided/authorized

   through the Nurse Advice Line (NAL)

- Tracking the two visits per year will be patient responsibility

- Patients must use a TRICARE authorized provider

- Active Duty not eligible for this program

 

For additional information please contact 1-800-444-5445 or www.TRICARE.com

NEW Community ER facilities Are Not TRICARE Authorized

The new medical facilities “Select ER”, “Neighbors ER” and “ER Now” popping up in Wichita Falls Are not TRICARE authorized facilities for medical care. These medical facilities are not contracted through TRICARE and do not accept Medicare.  Using these facilities will cost patients out of pocket costs. Always check with TRICARE prior to using a medical facility.

For additional questions or information please contact Humans at 1-800- 444-5445 or www.tricare.com.

NEW TRICARE On Line (TOL) Services – Did you know!

Do you know what services are available through TOL?  Access the web site at www.tricareonline.com - just click log in button, select the TRICARE on Line feature and then explore the following:

  • Book an Appointment

  • Instantly Cancel an Appointment

  • View Future and Past Appointments

  • Set Up Text and Email Appointment Reminders

  • View, Download and Print Lab Results, Radiology Results, Medication Profile, Allergy Profile, Problem List, Immunizations and Vital Signs (By Simply Using the “Blue Button”) 

  • Prescription Refills and Check Prescription Status

  • Also Have Access to the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy

Check out the web site today to see what TOL has to offer!

Sheppard Clinic Training Day Schedule CHANGES

Training Day Schedule Changes for October:

  • Sheppard Clinic closed for training 7 October from 1200-1700

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Are you over the age of 65?  Are you looking for a new medical provider?

Sheppard Clinic has openings in the Internal Medicine Clinic for patients over 65, with a current medical provider in the community!!

Call (940) 676-4472 to schedule an appointment for an initial evaluation.

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Using TRICARE and Medicare (TRICARE for Life/TRICARE Plus)

 

Do you have questions on TRICARE for Life?  TRICARE Plus?  How they interact with Medicare?  This class will provide beneficiaries basic information on using TRICARE while entitled to Medicare; beneficiary responsibilities for a seamless transition from TRICARE Prime to TRICARE for Life; your requirements when turning 65; benefit questions and answers on other family members not yet turning 65; DEERS eligibility; using civilian providers and a whole host of additional information.  Join us and get the answers you need!  Sign up on Leadership Pathways.  We are offering two sessions:

 

15 December 2016 @ 1000-1100

 

Location:  Medical Clinic Basement Assembly Room B035 - take elevators to the basement; follow ceiling signs to the designated area
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Patient Safety Mystery Program

 

The 82d Medical Group is committed to the safety of our patients. In order to solidify our patient safety program, we want to hear from you on how we performed in the top safety elements as outlined by The Joint Commission in their National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs).  These goals are the foundation of our patient safety program and are utilized to assist us in providing safe patient care.  The Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals are:

  • Identify patients correctly

  • Use medicines safely

  • Prevent infection

  • Prevent wrong site, wrong procedure, and wrong person surgery

            Where do you fit in? Your input on how well we adhered to the National Patient Safety Goals assists us in maintaining a safe patient care environment.

 

            Our Patient Safety Program Manager developed a Mystery Patient Program that allows you to assess how well we adhered to the National Patient Safety Goals. The Patient Safety Program Manager randomly selects patients and provides them a mystery patient survey card.  This mystery patient safety card contains no personal information and is designed to be completed at the end of your appointment. Once completed, you will place it in the clinic’s comment card box.  We share your input with the clinics’ patient safety representatives and if necessary they will make the appropriate changes to their clinical practices to provide you with a safe patient care environment. Your participation in this program provides you an opportunity to partner with us in the care provided to you and other beneficiaries.  If you have any questions about the program or you would like to participate in the program, please contact Mrs. Mejia at deeann.mejia.ctr@us.af.mil, or at (940) 676-3065.

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• Sheppard Clinic closed for training 13 July 0600-1000

Family Advocacy Strength-Based Therapy (F.A.S.T.) for Retirees and Dependents

 

This is the Family Advocacy Strength-Based Therapy program.  It offers Individual counseling, marital counseling, couples communication, family counseling, grief counseling and parenting for /parents/grandparents/couples who have children 3 years old and older. 

 

Retirees and dependents can also attend other prevention classes as well.  Anger/Stress Management, Parenting classes, Communication classes, etc. 

 

For more information on classes available contact (940) 676-2271

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