Don't be a no show Published Jan. 22, 2015 By 412th Medical Group EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 412th Medical Group is dedicated to meeting the health care needs of you and your family by providing access to its services and the best possible medical care. No shows are a costly problem for the 412th MDG and the patients served. In order to provide the appointments needed for Edwards patients, the medical groups needs help in preventing no-shows. The average cost of an appointment is $91. Since January 2014, there have been 1,637 missed appointments, valued at $149,000. In addition to the monetary cost, no-shows affect access to medical care, clinic staffing and the 412th MDG's productivity. In regards to access, every no show appointment prevents another patient from getting a much needed appointment. Conversely, the situation may arise where another patient fails to cancel and the 412th MDG is unable to schedule you for a visit due to a seemingly "full" schedule. Often, when there are no appointments available, a beneficiary with an urgent medical issue is forced to seek care downtown, causing more time away from one's unit and impacting patient-provider continuity. In regards to staffing and productivity, missed appointments can create a false perception of a shrinking need for care by 412th MDG beneficiaries. Therefore, higher authority can reduce staffing and resources. Again, this would result in longer wait times and perhaps the inability to effectively provide service to all patients. In an effort to decrease no shows, the 412th MDG appointment reminder system calls patients two days prior to their scheduled appointment. If you receive this call and you no longer need the appointment, please cancel your appointment so that the 412th MDG can make that appointment available to someone else. Please note that the appointment reminder system uses the phone numbers listed in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). It is critical that you update your information by visiting the DEERS office in Bldg. 3000. In order to be effective in providing beneficiaries with the best medical care and access to services, the 412th MDG asks that patients simply cancel or reschedule their appointments at least 24 hours in advance to allow adequate time to re-book the appointment for another patient. To cancel an appointment, call the appointment desk at 661-277-7118. Customers can also cancel their appointment online by using www.tricareonline.com . The 412th MDG strongly advocates MiCare secure messaging because it's another way to cancel an appointment. MiCare also allows patients to interact with their healthcare team and can very well prevent a clinic visit. MiCare registration forms are available at any 412th MDG clinic desk. As they improve our processes, 412th MDG welcomes your feedback. To provide feedback, please contact 1st Lt. Michael Estacion, 412th MDG group practice manager at 661-275-2743; or email michael.estacion.1@us.af.mil.