7 Ways DHA Ensures a Ready Medical Force

DHA assumed administration and management of all military hospitals and clinics in the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico Oct. 25, 2019, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2017. This change redefined the roles of DHA and the military departments. Other ongoing transformation efforts are focused on organizational, infrastructure and manpower changes within the Military Health System.

In the midst of transformation, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and DHA joined countless medical entities in the quest to combat the novel coronavirus. DHA's COVID-19 response efforts led to a shift in how the MHS practiced medicine while maintaining operational safety. DHA quickly and efficiently adapted to the new normal of the pandemic and launched creative practices at the military medical treatment facilities, like drive-thru pharmacies for prescriptions to ensure that beneficiaries still received care. The new COVID-19 registry tracks patient information and treatment outcomes to inform best practices. It met the Secretary of Defense’s goal of obtaining 10,000 units of convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients through the Armed Services Blood Program.

The deployment of MHS GENESIS, the new federal electronic health record, allows patients and providers access to a single electronic health record regardless of location. The MHS Nurse Advice Line under TRICARE provides a phone hotline for beneficiaries who have questions about care. Military hospitals and clinics under DHA also created new technologies, from the first bioengineered blood vessel transplant in military history to recent improvements to virtual health care.

Service members could be deployed anywhere in the world at any time and must be prepared for any health threats. DHA’s global health surveillance capabilities monitor for potential health threats overseas, from insects to deadly viruses like the COVID-19 pandemic. Global health engagement also strengthens partnerships with foreign allies. Through foreign liaison officers, or LNOs, DHA supports international collaboration with allies in order to implement the best health care practices.

Readiness is measured in more than just physical fitness and medical status. Through the Total Force Fitness program, DHA explores other areas in military life — like social, spiritual, environmental and mental health — to help service members, their families and even providers reevaluate health and well-being. TFF highlights myriad topics, from foods that help fight infection to the importance of suicide prevention for all beneficiaries and DOD employees.

DHA supports a medically ready force by relying on health care professionals operating at all levels of the agency. From the provider directly interacting with the patient to the policymaker at headquarters, DHA employees strive to meet the agency's mission. DHA keeps its staff up-to-date on the latest in health care, offering a breadth of residencies, webinars, and training resources for its providers. Collaboration with the Uniformed Services University for Health Sciences to train, educate and empower the health care professionals of tomorrow with the medical and leadership skills to succeed in the future. DHA also promotes diversity through special emphasis programs like the Federal Women's Program to ensure that all employees have the opportunity to pursue the professional career that they desire and reach their full potential.

One of the DHA's main priorities is serving the beneficiary through the TRICARE health benefit, adjusting as necessary to assure quality care. Temporary expansions to TRICARE telehealth coverage have helped beneficiaries keep up with appointments throughout the COVID-19 pandemic when physically going to a hospital wasn't possible. DHA also continues to coordinate with the Department of Justice as it prosecutes third parties who have committed pharmaceutical fraud through TRICARE. DHA remains committed to maintaining and improving TRICARE as health care evolves.