Munson Army Health Center's 24/7 Booking: You Won't Believe What Happens Next!

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas -- In an effort to enhance patient accessibility, the Munson Army Health Center is rolling out a new online appointment booking feature through the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal. This initiative provides service members and their families with round-the-clock access to schedule medical appointments, a significant advancement in managing healthcare needs.

“We are excited to offer this online service to our beneficiaries,” said Col. Jolanda L.J. Walker, director of Munson. “The 24/7 online appointment booking system empowers patients to take control of their healthcare and manage their appointments on their own schedule.”

The online feature allows beneficiaries to book, cancel, or reschedule appointments at their convenience, day or night. “Using the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal, our beneficiaries can view available primary care appointment slots, select a time that works for them, and even cancel or reschedule appointments as needed,” explained Toni McCall, chief of Munson’s Business Operations Division.

This enhancement significantly reduces the burden on the appointment phone line, particularly during peak hours. Munson began testing this online booking system in the fall with members of the Patient and Family Partnership Council, allowing staff to familiarize themselves with the new platform.

“We are actively working to optimize the online booking system and appreciate your patience as we navigate this additional service. We encourage you to provide feedback about your experience so we can continue to improve the system,” added Walker.

For those who still prefer traditional methods, the Munson appointment line remains available on weekdays at 913-684-6250 from 7:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.. McCall noted, “With the addition of online booking, we expect to see reduced call agent wait times for patients who do phone in to schedule appointments.”

During the initial test phase, over 180 appointments were successfully booked online, showcasing the demand for this type of service and its potential to lessen call center congestion.

To ensure a smooth experience when utilizing the online appointment feature, patients are advised to keep the following tips in mind:

• Know Your Provider: Have the name of your Primary Care Manager (PCM) or specialist available when scheduling. This information can be found in the portal.
• Verify Location: Ensure that you are booking your appointment at Munson to avoid scheduling errors. When searching by location, enter "Ft. Leavenworth" as searching for "Fort Leavenworth" or other variations may yield no results.
• Additional Comments: Include as much detail as possible in the comments section to assist nursing staff in appropriately scheduling patients.

“We are only booking in-person appointments through the portal, which constitutes the bulk of our primary care appointments,” Walker stated. “As we phase this new system in, we look forward to learning more and maximizing appointment booking capabilities through the platform.”

To schedule an appointment using the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal, visit https://patientportal.mhsgenesis.health.mil or call the appointment center at 913-684-6250 during business hours. For any issues with the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal, support is available through the MHS GENESIS Help Desk at 800-600-9332. They can assist with logging in and navigating the portal to ensure seamless access to healthcare information.

For issues related to accessing the portal with your DS Logon, contact the DMDC Customer Contact Center at 800-368-3665. Help is available Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT.

This new initiative from Munson Army Health Center not only aims to improve patient satisfaction but also reflects a broader shift in healthcare towards digital solutions that prioritize convenience and accessibility for all patients.