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Show lifWrT J by Marty Kessler the same day and book your appointment. TriWest supervisors have set two hours as a goal for returning your call under norAn understanding ofthe TRICARE appointmal conditions. Regardless, your mesment line process may help you get through will be returned the same day. faster and be on your way to receiving sage And dont leave a message and then call care with little or no frustration. Heres back. This will just force the operators how the appointment line works in systhe calls to duplicate their efforts tems managed by TriWest Healthcare returning and slow down the entire process. If you Alliance. have an acute When a call comes in, it goes to a hold- coordinate problem, the operators will directly with the clinics to help ing area called a queue an electronic ensure youll be seen that day. waiting line to wait for the next availThe idea is to get to the front of the queue able appointment specialist. Before TRI- as quickly as possible, and that, admitCARE, the process was essentially the tedly, takes a little patience. At one milisame, but you may have waited mininstallation in the TRICARE Central tary utes or longer. . Region, an average of 5 callers each TriWests present system keeps you in morning the busiest time to call are the queue for only four minutes, 30 sec- hanging up in seconds, literally getonds. If someone doesnt answer, youll ting out of the queue before appointment automatically be transferred to voice mail specialists have time to get to diem! Hangthat is checked frequently. At that point ing and then back wont get you up calling the ball is in TriWests court. After they ' through any faster. get your message, they call you back Every time you call back, youre placed ' Director of Beneficiary Services 10-3- 0 10-1- 35-4- 5 s at the end of the queue actually defeating your own purpose. Someone who starts Make sure youre dialing the correct prefix for the base TRICARE Service Cencalling after you but stays on the line ter, since TSC telephones may use difwill get in ahead of you. Hang on just a litferent prefixes than other base numbers. tle longer and you will either reach an Check with your TSC or military treatappointment specialist or be able to leave ment facility regarding the hours to call a message for a beneficiary service repfor appointments. The earliest r resentative. or so is often strictly reserved for active When you do get through, dont be sur- duty service members. Family members prised when the appointment specialist and retirees should try to avoid calling at takes the opportunity to update your that time. Beneficiaries calling for routine address and other basic information in appointments may also find it less frusthe computer database. The reason for trating to call in late morning or early afterthis is so important mailings about TRI- noon when the volume of calls is lower. CARE will reach you on time. the voice Stay on the line and, if you In some instances you may be asked mail, leave your full name, get your sponsors to call the clinic directly. If this occurs, it Social Security number, and a telephone is because TriWest wants you to be seen number where you can be reached. and the military treatment facility has Like other aspects of TRICARE, the directed TriWest to have you contact the appointment line is still in a state of evo' clinic. lution and refinement. TriWest intends - Here are some additional helpful hints to continue making it easier for you to use to make the appointment process easier your health care benefits and to show you and more efficient;1 " how t6 use the system efficiently. half-hou- ; ' MANUELS RESTAURANT & CANTINA t CLEARFIELD ROY 773-757- 9 774-048- 8 T yy I noys UCMT Massage Gift Certificates 1 Gift Certificate: $25.00 5 Gift Certificates: $103 75 ($20.75 each) SAVE $21.25 15 Gift Certificates: $247.50 ($16.50 each) SAVE $127-525 Gift Certificates: $312.50 ($12.50 each) SAVE $312.50 1 0 Weekend Student Clinic Locations Salt Lake City Layton Utah Valley EF 70,000 Mile Warranty 18565R14 $43.99 P20565R15 P22560R16 P21575R15 P22575R15 P23575R15 $53.99 $69.99 $53.99 $56.99 $59.99 IRELLI Performance Snow Tires P19560HR15 P21560HR15 P22560HR16 $76.99 $76.99 $94.99 |