FORT RILEY, Kansas –
We would like to inform you of an upcoming change in our orthopedic services that will impact our ability to provide care. As of March 25, 2024, the Orthopedic Unit at IACH will experience a temporary reduction in providers due to unavoidable staffing changes, including surgeons and physician assistants transitioning to other assignments and deployments.
The reduction in our orthopedic staff will result in a decrease in the number of appointments we can offer each month, affecting both Active-Duty Service Members and patients requiring high acuity procedures.
What to Expect
- Reduced appointments: We anticipate a significant reduction of appointments per month.
- Prioritization of care: Active-Duty Service Members requiring urgent or high-acuity orthopedic care will continue to receive priority scheduling within IACH.
- Referrals for dependents, retirees, and family members: To ensure timely access to care, some non-urgent appointments and procedures for dependents, retirees, and family members may be referred to qualified specialists within the local network such as Manhattan Orthopedic Sports Medicine or Salina Regional Health Center.
- Referral process: Your IACH provider will discuss any necessary referrals with you and assist you with the process.
Despite these challenges, we are committed to maximizing our ancillary clinics, including podiatry, physical therapy, and occupational therapy, to assist with prioritizing and minimizing deferrals to the network. We will prioritize Soldiers to ensure they receive the care they need.
We understand that this reduction in services may cause inconvenience and frustration, and we apologize for any disruption this may cause to your care. However, we want to assure you that we are actively working to address this situation and are exploring all available options to minimize the impact on our beneficiaries.
We anticipate the return of additional orthopedic staff by October 2024, which will help alleviate some of the strain on our services. In the meantime, we appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate these staffing challenges.
Thank you for your continued trust and support as we strive to provide the best possible care to our community.