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86th AMDS takes aim at increasing force deployability

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kristof J. Rixmann
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  The 86th Aerospace Medicine Squadron will gradually roll out a primary care manager and patient restructuring from now until January 2020.

For patients, the most significant change is aligning Airmen within the same squadron to the same primary care manager team. Dependents will be treated collectively by their own PCM team. This change allows PCMs to build relationships with squadron leaders and individual Airmen, and focus on squadron-specific needs while ensuring a ready, resilient force.

“The big change for the 86th AMDS are the provider empanelments,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. (Dr.) Tracy K. Bozung, 86th AMDS commander. “Previously, your PCM had many active duty personnel and dependents in their empanelment. Within the next few months your current PCM’s empanelment will instead consist of either dependents or active duty personnel, but not both. All active duty personnel being treated by a PCM under the new model will belong to the same unit.”

By reorganizing the 86th AMDS, PCMs will clearly understand the mission of their assigned units, and the job demands and challenges Airmen under their care face.

Under this model of care, providers get to know their active duty patients better, understand the challenges they face, prevent more injuries and illnesses, and return Airmen to full duty status more quickly. Implemented changes are driven by the need to improve Air Force readiness culture.

Ramstein is one of many installations committed to modernizing patient care. This new implementation comes on the heels of recent guidance handed down by the Secretary of the U.S. Air Force to increase total force deployability and therefore lethality.

During this PCM - Patient reorganization, Airmen and dependents will be notified by mail should a change in their PCM occur. 86 AMDS is working to ensure there is a seamless transition between physicians.

Despite large structural changes, the 86th AMDS remains committed to delivering high-quality health care to all patients. The organization may differ, but patients will receive the same trusted care they rely on.

The 86th AMDS is also committed to helping Airmen and dependents understand the new changes and address any concerns patients might have.