MEDICAL SERVICES. There are no medical services at the
Natick SSC.
The overview below will provide you with a general
understanding of how medical services are obtained, both for soldiers and for
family members.
Services for Active Duty Army
Soldiers.
(1) General. All AD soldiers are
automatically enrolled in TRICARE Prime. The TRICARE service center
is located at Hanscom AFB. Hanscom Air Force Base located approximagely 20 miles
north of Natick.
WHAT IS TRICARE?
Simply put, TRICARE is the way to
obtain healthcare. It is a partnership between the military health
care system and civilian doctors and hospitals, designed to use existing
healthcare sources in a more optimal manner.
To summarize the TRICARE
program, most of you will have a choice of three health care
options: TRICARE Prime, Extra and Standard. TRICARE Prime
guarantees access to care according to strict time standards and offers improved
continuity of care through the Primary Care Manager. The other
options offer greater freedom of choice among civilian physicians and
specialists, but treatment will likely be more costly.
While enrollment
in TRICARE Prime is automatic for servicemembers, you should go to the TRICARE
Service Center within thirty days of arrival to register at
Hanscom. They are located at at Hanscom in Bldg. 1900 in Room 330
(main clinic building), PH: 781-377 4713 (DSN 478) and their hours
are from 0730-1630 Mon-Fri.
All medical services should be coordinated
through the medical clinic at Hanscom Air Force Base.
HOW TO GET
HEALTHCARE AT HANSCOM AFB
Enroll in TRICARE Prime -- (Mandatory for
Active Duty)
Enrollment must be completed within 30 days of arrival at
Hanscom
Enrollment in TRICARE Prime for E-1-E-4 Family members is highly
encouraged
Advantages:
Low Cost - No Co-Payments for Outpatient
Visits
24-Hour access to PCM advice
Referrals to Civilian
Network
(2) Emergency Care. When faced with the
need for emergency medical care, soldiers should proceed directly to the
nearest emergency room. The closest to the installation is Metro West
Medical Center (Rt 27 to Natick Center, left on Rt 135 to Union
Street. It is about two miles). Emergency care is covered
100% by the Army. The Army defines emergency care as a reasonable
expectation that a threat to life, limb or eyesight exists if care is
delayed. Ambulance transportation is also covered
100%.
(2) Routine Sick Call. Sick call is not
conducted on the installation. Go to the unit orderly room to obtain
a Sick Slip (DD 689) and your military Health Record. The unit will
arrange transportation to Hanscom Air Force Base Clinic. Sick call is
conducted each day at 0730 and 1230; on Saturday & Sunday it is
from 0800-1000. If you need care other than an emergency as described
above, you need to contact your Primary Care Manager at Hanscom. Call
781 377 4711 (DN 478) at any time of the
day.
(3) Referral/Specialty Care. Medical care
other than emergency or sick call must be coordinated through your primary care
manager. For your initial contact, you should go through your unit
orderly room.
(4) Profiles. Recommendations for
activity or duty restrictions which are written by civilian providers may be
accepted by the unit commander or may be sent for review to the Surgeon, Soldier
Systems Command. The civilian recommendation should be followed until
any necessary review is completed.
Services for Family
Members. Military medical care for family members is not available
on the Natick installation. See MEDICAL SERVICES/DIRECTORY for a
description of medical options for family members.