15th MDG updates appointment policies Published July 3, 2014 By Capt Louis C. Edwards 15th Medical Group JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Do you know the 15th Medical Group appointment show time, no-show and late show policies? We recognize how busy each and every one of our beneficiaries are, and hope these policies provide consistent and simplified guidance to all 15 MDG clinics and beneficiaries. The appointment policies are: Show Time: The show time for all medical appointments at all clinics, with the exception of Dental, is your scheduled appointment time. Patients do not need to arrive 15 minutes prior to their medical appointment. Due to system constraints, the Dental Clinic still requires beneficiaries to arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment time. No-Show: Beneficiaries will be considered a no-show if they fail to present for their appointment, leave without being seen, arrive 10 minutes after their scheduled appointment time, or fail to cancel their appointment two hours prior to the scheduled appointment time. If your appointment is before 9 a.m. you must cancel the appointment prior to the Close of Business the previous duty day. Late Show: If you check into the clinic more than 10 minutes after your scheduled appointment time, you will be considered a no-show. At this time, the clinic will determine if they can still see you based upon staff availability and patient workload. If they are unable to see you, the clerk can reschedule your appointment or you can reschedule at your convenience. Please remember that patients who arrive on time will not be displaced by those who show up late. Beneficiaries can use TRICARE online to schedule, cancel or receive appointment reminders via email and/or text message at www.tricareonline.com. If you are not enrolled in TOL, you can cancel your appointment by calling the 15 MDG Central Appointment line at 448-6000, option 1, between 7:15 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the exception of PACAF Family Days and federal holidays. Missed appointments not only cost the 15 MDG and taxpayers a significant amount of money, but they also prevent other beneficiaries from receiving the care they need. Cancelling your appointment two hours prior and not checking in late are not only 15 MDG policies, but also Air Force directives. The 15th MDG realizes emergencies arise and plans change, but we ask that you please be respectful to fellow beneficiaries as well as staff members and cancel your appointment as soon as possible. The 15th MDG is not immune to sequestration, the loss of contract personnel and tightened budgets, which only enhances the fact that every appointment truly does count. Please steer clear of being a late show or no-show to your next medical appointment, and just like when you were learning to drive, remember 10 and two; 10 minutes is late and you must cancel two hours before your appointment.