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News | March 6, 2025

Fort Drum Medical Activity offers patients appointment flexibility with Scheduled Virtual Visits

By Warren W. Wright Jr., Fort Drum MEDDAC Public Affairs

FORT DRUM, New York  –   As the Defense Health Agency continues to transform the way patients access care and care teams deliver care, Fort Drum’s U.S. Army Medical Department Activity and Guthrie Army Health Clinic is evolving the way they deliver healthcare to the Fort Drum community through a new virtual health tool – My Military Health Scheduled Virtual Visits.
 
Scheduled virtual video visits are medical appointments that give patients the flexibility to meet with their care team from a location that’s convenient and comfortable for them.  The new platform is safe, secure, and easy to use, making it the perfect option for anyone who wants to engage their healthcare teams on their terms.
 
For Col. Christina Buchner, the MEDDAC commander and Fort Drum’s senior medical officer, the new model of care, locally known as the Guthrie Model of Care, will ensure her staff has the tools needed to improve access to care by leveraging digital tools and technology to move beyond the traditional, in-person model of care.
 
“We’re excited to offer our patients a new way to meet their healthcare needs by leveraging digital tools to enable better outcomes, improvements to the patient experience, and giving patients greater flexibility in managing their health and well-being,” Buchner said.  “Virtual video visits mean patients do not have to choose between their health and other commitments.  It means care teams will have more freedom and greater flexibility to deliver the best possible care to our patients.”

Health care on your terms

To request an appointment, beneficiaries can contact the MEDDAC appointment call center at 1-888 -838-1303 or message their care team through the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal.  From there, staff will work with the patient to determine the best type of appointment needed, be it face-to-face, virtual video, telehealth, or if a visit with a provider is even required.
 
For virtual video visits, connecting is easy by using a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera, speaker, and a strong internet connection.  The patient will receive a reminder email and text message when it’s time to join the appointment, or they can enter directly from the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal up to 15 minutes before the appointment time.
 
That means no extra logins or apps for patients to download.  And since Scheduled Virtual Visits are integrated with MHS GENESIS, care teams can easily access patient charts, provide referrals, enroll patients in other care programs, and schedule follow-up appointments.
 
If a patient does not have access to a smartphone, tablet, or computer, or if they still prefer to meet with their care team face-to-face or via phone consultation, they request to do so by calling the MEDDAC appointment line and speaking with one of the call center representatives.

Next evolution of healthcare

For the entire Defense Health Agency, My Military Health Scheduled Virtual Visits is the next phase in the journey to make healthcare more accessible, convenient, and holistic for patients.  Patients can now schedule primary care and behavioral health virtual video appointments with their healthcare team.
 
“Our patients want choices in how they receive their healthcare,” Buchner said.  “When patients have options, they’re more likely to seek care and stick with a treatment plan, which leads to better outcomes.”
 
In the coming months, Fort Drum beneficiaries will have access to other My Military Health digital tools, like On-Demand Virtual Vitis.  More information will be released as these tools become available.
 
“There are a lot of exciting innovations coming our way,” Buchner added.  “We’re looking forward to all the new ways our patients will be able to meet their health goals.”
 
The Fort Drum MEDDAC provides integrated, quality healthcare and medical readiness support responsive to the needs of the 10th Mountain Division (LI) and the Fort Drum community.
 
For more information on My Military Health and Scheduled Virtual Visits, visit https://tricare.mil/mymilitaryhealth.
 
Members of the media seeking additional information or to request interviews with Fort Drum MEDDAC leadership or staff, please contact the MEDDAC Public Affairs Officer at (315) 772-3992 or at usarmy.drum.medcom-gahc.mbx.pao@health.mil.
 
News | March 6, 2025

Fort Drum Medical Activity offers patients appointment flexibility with Scheduled Virtual Visits

By Warren W. Wright Jr., Fort Drum MEDDAC Public Affairs

FORT DRUM, New York  –   As the Defense Health Agency continues to transform the way patients access care and care teams deliver care, Fort Drum’s U.S. Army Medical Department Activity and Guthrie Army Health Clinic is evolving the way they deliver healthcare to the Fort Drum community through a new virtual health tool – My Military Health Scheduled Virtual Visits.
 
Scheduled virtual video visits are medical appointments that give patients the flexibility to meet with their care team from a location that’s convenient and comfortable for them.  The new platform is safe, secure, and easy to use, making it the perfect option for anyone who wants to engage their healthcare teams on their terms.
 
For Col. Christina Buchner, the MEDDAC commander and Fort Drum’s senior medical officer, the new model of care, locally known as the Guthrie Model of Care, will ensure her staff has the tools needed to improve access to care by leveraging digital tools and technology to move beyond the traditional, in-person model of care.
 
“We’re excited to offer our patients a new way to meet their healthcare needs by leveraging digital tools to enable better outcomes, improvements to the patient experience, and giving patients greater flexibility in managing their health and well-being,” Buchner said.  “Virtual video visits mean patients do not have to choose between their health and other commitments.  It means care teams will have more freedom and greater flexibility to deliver the best possible care to our patients.”

Health care on your terms

To request an appointment, beneficiaries can contact the MEDDAC appointment call center at 1-888 -838-1303 or message their care team through the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal.  From there, staff will work with the patient to determine the best type of appointment needed, be it face-to-face, virtual video, telehealth, or if a visit with a provider is even required.
 
For virtual video visits, connecting is easy by using a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera, speaker, and a strong internet connection.  The patient will receive a reminder email and text message when it’s time to join the appointment, or they can enter directly from the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal up to 15 minutes before the appointment time.
 
That means no extra logins or apps for patients to download.  And since Scheduled Virtual Visits are integrated with MHS GENESIS, care teams can easily access patient charts, provide referrals, enroll patients in other care programs, and schedule follow-up appointments.
 
If a patient does not have access to a smartphone, tablet, or computer, or if they still prefer to meet with their care team face-to-face or via phone consultation, they request to do so by calling the MEDDAC appointment line and speaking with one of the call center representatives.

Next evolution of healthcare

For the entire Defense Health Agency, My Military Health Scheduled Virtual Visits is the next phase in the journey to make healthcare more accessible, convenient, and holistic for patients.  Patients can now schedule primary care and behavioral health virtual video appointments with their healthcare team.
 
“Our patients want choices in how they receive their healthcare,” Buchner said.  “When patients have options, they’re more likely to seek care and stick with a treatment plan, which leads to better outcomes.”
 
In the coming months, Fort Drum beneficiaries will have access to other My Military Health digital tools, like On-Demand Virtual Vitis.  More information will be released as these tools become available.
 
“There are a lot of exciting innovations coming our way,” Buchner added.  “We’re looking forward to all the new ways our patients will be able to meet their health goals.”
 
The Fort Drum MEDDAC provides integrated, quality healthcare and medical readiness support responsive to the needs of the 10th Mountain Division (LI) and the Fort Drum community.
 
For more information on My Military Health and Scheduled Virtual Visits, visit https://tricare.mil/mymilitaryhealth.
 
Members of the media seeking additional information or to request interviews with Fort Drum MEDDAC leadership or staff, please contact the MEDDAC Public Affairs Officer at (315) 772-3992 or at usarmy.drum.medcom-gahc.mbx.pao@health.mil.
 
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