For years the Military Health System has provided new mothers with high-quality care that consistently tops the civilian health care sector.

Lt. Gen. Ron Place, director of DHA, wishes everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving this holiday season.

On Nov. 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorsed the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. It’s the latest of several important steps taken by the federal government to end the pandemic.

Have you seen your doctor recently? If so, you should have access to an explanation of benefits (EOB). What is an EOB? It’s an itemized statement that shows the action TRICARE has taken on claims filed by you or your provider. An EOB isn’t a bill. But it will identify what health care services you received and how your TRICARE plan will cover the costs.

IACH Updates for Nov. 5. For more information, please contact the indicated point of contact. 1. Primary Care at Irwin Army Community Hospital is consolidating from five to three medical homes starting Nov. 7 as part of an ongoing effort to provide optimal healthcare to our beneficiaries. Please consult with the list below to locate your PCM’s medical home. POC is CLINOPS. • Medical Home 1 LTC Meyers Dr. Caycedo Dr. Oh CPT Price CPT Christiansen Ms. Garman Ms. Chandler Ms. Demuth • Medical Home 2 CPT Kang Dr. Bass Dr. Spethman CPT Thoma Ms. Adams Ms. Heath Ms. Roper Ms. Rickenbach • Medical Home 3 Dr. Gooch LTC Solari Dr. Conroy Dr. Gish Dr. Blevins Dr. Ewers Ms. Lamb Ms. Culbertson Ms. Berezuk 2. All Fort Riley pharmacies will be closed Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day. On Nov. 12 IACH Pharmacy hours are 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Farrelly Health Clinic Pharmacy will be closed. POC is Pharmacy. 3. The IACH appointment line hours of operation will change from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. starting Nov. 15. The first Tuesday of each month, the appointment line hours are 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. in observance of Victory Wellness training. The appointment line is closed during weekends and federal holidays. POC is CLINOPS. 4. Dental services at Whitside Dental Clinic Bldg. 602 Huebner Road will temporarily relocate to 1st Division Dental Clinic Bldg. 4010, 1st Division Rd., Nov. 11 – 28. Servicemembers with appointments will be instructed to report to 1st Division Dental Clinic. Dental sick call patients will also be seen at 1st Division Dental Clinic. Units who belong to Whitside Dental Clinic can call (785) 239-1765 or 239-4174 to schedule an appointment. POC is DENTAC. 5. IACH and Public Health are holding a flu vaccine clinic 17 NOV and 15 DEC, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Colyer Forsyth Community Center, 22900 Hitching Post Rd., Fort Riley. All DOD ID cardholders ages 6 months+ are eligible. High-dose flu vaccine for ages 65+ will be available. Soldiers assigned to the 1st Infantry Division are encouraged to consult with their respective units for flu vaccine availability and accountability. POC is Public Health. 6. The Great American Smokeout is Nov. 18. No matter how long you’ve been smoking, quitting improves your health immediately and over the long term. Call the IACH Dept. of Public Health to schedule a smoking cessation appointment at (785) 239-7323. POC is Public Health. 7. The IACH Department of Ministry & Pastoral Care is hosting a holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 9, 3 p.m. at the hospital main entrance lobby. Join us for a holiday concert, tree lighting, wreath exhibition, and Operation North Pole. For more information, call (785) 239-7871 or 239-7872. POC is IACH Chaplain. 8. For individuals who received either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine primary two-dose series, the following groups are eligible for a single COVID-19 booster shot six or more months after the initial series: • 65 years and older • 18 years and older with underlying medical conditions • 18 years and older who live in long-term care settings • Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings such as healthcare workers, firefighters, police, educators, daycare workers, public transit workers, grocery store workers, etc. • Additional information may be found at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/essential-workers-boosters.html For individuals who received the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine primary dose, a single COVID-19 vaccine booster dose is recommended for those age 18+, two or more months after the initial dose. Administration of a booster to indicated populations is provided only at Irwin Army Community Hospital. To schedule a booster appointment, visit the Patient Portal at https://patientportal.mhsgenesis.health.mil or call (785) 239-DOCS or 239-3627.

Call for the most current information on where you can get your FLU SHOT!  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses, like flu, this fall and winter is important!  Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months and older who do not have a medical condition that prevents them from getting a vaccination. 

Beginning Nov. 1, the PX Pharmacy will be closed for renovations and scheduled to reopen spring 2022. Modifications to the facility will ensure the pharmacy team can continue filling prescriptions safely for the coming years. Oct. 19 is the last day to call in refills for PX Pharmacy. Oct. 29 is the last day to pick up at the PX Pharmacy. All refills not picked up by Oct. 29 will be sent to the main hospital pharmacy for pick up. To pick up refill prescriptions at your convenience, use the ScriptCenter kiosk located across the hospital chapel available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Activate refills by calling (785) 239-7427 and selecting “ScriptCenter kiosk” as pickup. Take your prescription number and military ID card the first time picking up.

Beneficiaries are eligible to receive a booster dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine who completed the two-dose Pfizer COVID-19 series at least six months ago and meet the following criteria:   People 65 years and older and residents in long term care facilities should receive a booster dose People 50-64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster dose People 18-49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster dose People 18-64 years who are increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional settings may receive a booster dose   Individuals who received two doses of Moderna, a single dose of Janssen, or a mixed vaccine series are not recommended to receive a booster at this time.   Administration of a booster to indicated populations is provided at Long Fitness Center, 8069 Normandy Dr, Fort Riley, Tuesday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. through Nov. 4.   ADDITIONAL DOSE TO IMMUNOCOMPROMISED:   IACH is also offering an additional dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised beneficiaries after 28 days of their second dose based on the following criteria:   •         Receiving active cancer treatment for solid tumors or cancers of the blood •         Taking medicine to suppress the immune system after an organ transplant •         Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency •         Advanced or untreated HIV infection •         Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response   If you have additional questions or feel you meet the criteria but your condition is not listed, contact your provider team.   Administration of an additional dose for immunocompromised is by appointment at IACH. Visit the Patient Portal on MHS GENESIS at https://patientportal.mhsgenesis.health.mil or call (785) 239-DOCS or 239-3627.