Medical group answers questions about ‘Access to Care,’ TRICARE options

  • Published
  • 82nd Medical Group
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  With the April 1, 2014, closure of the TRICARE customer service office, the 82nd Medical Group has been taking steps to ensure beneficiaries are educated about their access to care.

The transition has been a smooth one, and yet all members still need to stay on top of how these changes affect their care. Now is a good time to take a moment and learn a little more about various TRICARE options, the new "Nurse Advice Line," MiCare and how these are helping the 82nd MDG ensure high quality care for all Sheppard beneficiaries.

There are additional TRICARE options available other than TRICARE Prime, and the 82nd MDG has programs available to assist beneficiaries in understanding and accessing their health care benefits.

"One option available to dependents and retirees is the TRICARE Standard-Extra option," said Maj. Charles Lueker, 82nd MDG TRICARE operations and patient administration flight commander. "This program allows beneficiaries to seek medical care from any TRICARE-authorized provider and most specialty physicians with no referral. This gives beneficiaries the flexibility to manage their own health care."

There are some financial obligations with this program including annual deductibles and cost shares. For more information contact Humana at (800)444-5445 or visit their web site at www.tricare.mil.

Understanding and accessing care is always challenging, especially when urgent or emergency care is needed. For any emergency (threat to life, limb or eyesight) call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. However, for non-emergencies, the new Nurse Advice Line has been implemented across the Air Force. This new service provides beneficiaries the help they need for acute health care problems. The NAL is a team of registered nurses who are available to answer a variety of urgent health care questions and provide guidance on obtaining the urgent care needed at a moments notice. This may include everything from home care methods, scheduling a next day appointment or directing the beneficiary to an urgent care facility. Beneficiaries can contact the NAL by calling (940) 676-1847, toll free (877)676-1847 or (800)TRICARE (874-2273); Option 1.

Follow up medical care, routine and wellness care is important too. There are several ways to request an appointment and the newest, most convenient and effective method is with the MiCare secure messaging program.

"This program allows patients to take command of their healthcare by offering efficient electronic communication between the beneficiary and their healthcare team for non-urgent medical concerns," Lueker said.
The program not only allows the beneficiary to request appointments, but also allows them access to their test and lab results, ability to request a copy of their immunization records, request medication renewals and access a large library of patient education materials. To sign up for MiCare, contact Natalie Henderson at (940)676-1356 or natalie.henderson@us.af.mil.

As always, the 82nd MDG strives to provide the very best possible medical care available.

"Sheppard Clinic recently received the highest possible score and a three-year, unconditional accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. along with one of the highest scores for compliance within the Air Force from the National Committee for Quality Assurance," said Dennis Marquardt, 82nd MDG quality control chief.

The 82nd Medical Group continues to lead the 82nd TRW in process improvement projects. The most notable project, recapturing medical care that was being lost to network providers, resulted in savings of almost $7 million to date. Additionally, this project provided better quality of care, increased continuity of care, increase patient access to care and it contributed to the overall satisfaction ratings of 98 percent, among the highest ratings in Air Education and Training Command. The 82nd MDG values their partnership with its beneficiaries.

Humana and the medical group can provide briefings, questions and answer sessions or just general information accommodating any time frame. Commanders can schedule an informational session for their organizations by contacting Natalie Henderson.

All members can get the latest, most up-to-date information on new programs, new providers, clinic moves and other health care tips by following or liking the 82nd MDG on Facebook at "AFMS-Sheppard 82d Medical Group".

The 82nd MDG recently changed their hours of operations. Most clinics are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The pharmacy is open from 7:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for beneficiary convenience they are open from 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for medication pick up only.