TRICARE takes to the Web Published Nov. 22, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Maeson L. Elleman 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Beginning Dec. 1, servicemembers and their families on Kadena will be able to make medical appointments online at www.tricareonline.com. Appointment booking using TRICARE Online will be available on the following dates: Dec. 1: Pediatrics and Optometry Jan. 1, 2011: Flight Medicine and Internal Medicine Feb. 1, 2011: Family Practice and Women's Health Lt. Col. Steven Van De Walle, 18th Medical Support Squadron commander, said the transition to TRICARE Online will make scheduling medical appointments and refilling prescriptions much easier and will save patients time. Servicemembers and their families are now able to order medication refills through TRICARE Online. Appointments at all other clinics in the medical group such as dental or mental health must still be made through the 18th MDG's normal appointment line at 630-4817 Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or at the direct number to the individual clinic. Colonel Van De Walle said because patients will have more resources, they will have a much more reliable system than just the telephone. "It will allow patients to maintain a connection to us and allow them to book appointments 24-7," Colonel Van De Walle added. Dependents can register to use TRICARE Online with a username and password from home, while servicemembers can register on their government computers using their Common Access Cards for easier access. Although parents can make appointments for minor family members, privacy rules prevent adults from making appointments for one another. There is a 24-hour help desk available for anyone requiring assistance that can be reached at (800) 600-9332 if you have a U.S.-based phone number or dial 00531-1-20743 from a local phone. Whether booking appointments online or over the phone, the 18th MDG requests that patients with appointments please keep it or cancel it 24 hours in advance, so that the time can be given to another patient.