FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The 92nd Medical Group is now allowing some TRICARE beneficiaries the choice to switch to an off base civilian primary care manager.
The MDG is sending out mailers to eligible beneficiaries titled “The Choice is Yours,” but patients don’t have to wait until they receive a letter in order to make the change.
Eligible beneficiaries are those non-active duty patients enrolled in Family Health or Flight Medicine.
This change focuses on improving patients’ access to their providers, due to limited appointments at the Fairchild Medical Treatment Facility in the last year, resulting from the implementation of a new electronic health record system. Fairchild was the first installation in the Department of Defense to field the new EHR system and the MDG is working through integration issues.
“We’ve slowed down patient care and listened to the concerns,” said Lt. Col. DeWayne Lazenby, 92nd MDG chief of medical staff. “Through careful review…we’ve found the best way to give our patients better provider care is to allow them the option to enroll with a civilian provider off base.”
This optional change in care, titled “The Choice is Yours,” is open to TRICARE Prime active-duty dependents, retirees, retiree family members, as well as TRICARE Plus beneficiaries. Requests will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
“We’re very excited and passionate about providing the best care possible to our patients, even if that’s allowing them to change to an off-base provider,” said Capt. Shanell Guardo, 92nd MDG group practice manager.
Those who change to a civilian PCM will not leave the military health care system. They will still hold access to other Fairchild AFB clinic services, such as: the pharmacy, laboratory services, radiology procedures and immunizations. Prescriptions can still be filled at the 92nd MDG clinic.
“Patient safety is our number one priority and concern,” said Col. Michaelle Guerrero, 92nd MDG commander. “Allowing people to change to a downtown provider will benefit all of our patients and will improve the accessibility and quality of care for everyone.”
For TRICARE Prime active-duty family members, there will not be any out-of-pocket costs. For retirees and their family members, be aware that there may be applicable fees, depending on an individual’s TRICARE plan. For more information on fees, click here.
To change your PCM, online visit https://tricare.mil, call Health Net at 1-844-866-9378 or visit the Patient Administration Office on the first floor of the Fairchild AFB clinic.
If you have questions or concerns about “The Choice is Yours,” contact 92nd MDG Patient Administration at (509) 247-5520, the 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs office at (509) 247-5705 or visit "The Choice is Yours" website here.