MDG explains the importance of DEERS updates Published Feb. 5, 2009 By the 319th Medical Group Patient Administration GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Picture this: You spend the day at appointments and getting blood drawn for an issue that has demanded your attention. You head home and wait patiently for the next couple days for a call ... but the phone doesn't ring. You wait another day before deciding to call the clinic. The clinic staff member states he tried calling you several times to no avail as your phone number was incorrect in the system. This is only one example of why it is essential to update your information in Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. DEERS is a database used by the Department of Defense that provides up-to-date information to ensure you receive the care you are entitled. The 319th Medical Group strives to ensure all of its beneficiaries receive the medical care they deserve. One of the biggest hurdles in providing quality health care is trying to contact patients. The MDG uses the data in DEERS to look up addresses, telephone numbers and other beneficiary information, which allows the group's members to communicate important medical information. When visiting the MDG for an appointment, your are often asked to verify your phone number and address. Even though your information is updated in the MDG system (CHCS) at the time of your appointment, it does not update DEERS. DEERS is interfaced with CHCS and will re-update the computer at the end of the day, removing all the changes we have made. The only way to avoid wasting this effort is to update your information in DEERS following your appointment. To update DEERs is easy. It takes a few minutes to either stop in to the base military personnnel section or to log on to www.tricare.mil/DEERS to make the changes from home. Your assistance will allow the 319 MDG to continue providing legendary care for TRICARE beneficiaries.