FORT RILEY, Kan.  –   Starting August 1st, IACH could potentially send acute primary care beneficiaries to TRICARE-authorized network providers in an effort to improve access to care and minimize impact of limited capabilities.
This initiative is for acute primary care appointments only and does not include routine or wellness checks, and physicals. 
TRICARE Prime beneficiaries will not be dis-enrolled or approved for network Prime Primary Care Manager during this time.
Beneficiaries included in this process are TRICARE Prime Active Duty Family Members, Retirees, and Retiree Family Members.  
Active Duty Service Members are not included in this process and must obtain authorization to receive civilian urgent care.
1.      How do I schedule an appointment?
·         Call the IACH Central Appointment Line at 785-239-3627 to schedule primary care appointments. If an appointment is available, beneficiaries will receive care at IACH.
 ·         If an appointment is not available, beneficiaries may seek care at a TRICARE-authorized urgent care center, or receive a referral to a Primary Care network provider.
2.      Do I need a referral to receive care at an urgent care center?
No referral is needed to receive care at a TRICARE-authorized urgent care facility.
Visit the Health Net Federal Services Provider Directory to find the nearest TRICARE-authorized urgent care center.
3.      What is the referral process?
·         Central appointment line staff will inform beneficiaries a referral will be put in the system for them to be seen in the network for an initial acute appointment visit plus 5 follow visits (if needed).
·         Beneficiaries will be instructed to check TRICARE-West.com patient portal in three business days to access the name, address and phone number of the provider they are being referred to; as well as the authorization number, number of visits, and expiration date of authorization.
 ·         Beneficiaries must contact the network provider listed on their referral authorization to schedule an appointment. The network provider WILL NOT contact patients to schedule the appointment. 
4.      Are there any co-pays?
·         Retirees and their family members will have a $33 co-pay for urgent care, and $22 co-pay for primary care outpatient visits.
·         There are no co-pays for Active Duty family members.
5.      What about additional Primary Care options?
Beneficiaries can use Doctor on Demand to connect face-to-face with licensed providers through virtual appointments for urgent care services. Visit www.doctorondemand.com/hnfs.