Retiree & DoD Civilian Space Available Care

Priorities of Care in the Military Health System

The Military Health System (MHS) provides care through an integrated system of readiness and health designed and resourced to provide services to TRICARE beneficiaries. This care is delivered through military medical treatment facilities (MTFs) and a seamless network of TRICARE providers around the globe. Defense Health Network, Indo Pacific (DHN-IP) MTFs provide high quality health care for active duty service members (ADSM) and their families in the Pacific theater and beyond to ensure Soldiers are medically ready to support the mission.
 
Due to limited resources, most Department of Defense (DOD) MTFs have had to adjust staffing levels to ensure the readiness of active duty members and provide care for their families. As a result, space available care is no longer available at previous levels.
 
Space available care simply means that if an appointment is available and not already booked, then a retiree or civilian beneficiary not empaneled may use that appointment slot, whether in Primary Care or Specialty Care including Behavioral Health. If all appointments are booked or are otherwise unavailable, then space available patients must seek treatment in a host nation facility. 
 
On a space available basis, DOD MTFs in Korea can provide Primary and Specialty care to retirees and their family members enrolled in TRICARE Select and to non-TRICARE beneficiaries. However, availability of these appointments varies widely across the region based on clinic staffing and support to operational units. Beneficiaries in these categories should not rely on space available care as their primary source for health care. 
 
When space is available, military retirees may be empaneled to receive Primary Care at DHN-IP MTFs. When a patient is empaneled, the facility takes responsibility for providing a standard of access to care in the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) similar to how active duty and their family members receive care.  Empanelment for retirees varies by MTF, based on current clinic capacity and available resources.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Question 1: Civilians and retirees used to be able to receive care at the MTF. What changed?

Answer 1: The primary mission of the MHS is the medical readiness of our active-duty members, and to provide healthcare for their families. While many of our civilian and retiree community members have enjoyed routine and consistent care and services at our clinics, we have had to adjust access to care and space available offerings due to resource constraints.
 
DOD MTFs are adjusting staffing levels to meet their primary mission - to ensure the readiness of active-duty members and provide care for their families. Empaneled active duty, active-duty family members (ADFM), and empaneled retirees will continue to receive prioritized access to Primary Care.
 
Space available care is not guaranteed, and appointment availability varies widely across the region based on clinic staffing and support to operational units. Beneficiaries in these categories should not rely on space available care as their primary source for healthcare.
 

Question 2: Are retirees currently empaneled to an MTF going to be denied care?

Answer 2: Military retirees and their family members who are currently enrolled in TRICARE Select, and who have a primary care provider at a DHN-IP MTF, will not see a change to their access to care. However, the ability to take on and empanel retirees varies at each MTF, and many are not currently accepting new military retirees to the MTF as empaneled patients. Access to care for that group of new retirees may still be offered on a limited, space available basis, although it’s highly recommended that they establish a primary care provider in the local community.
 

Question 3: What do you mean by “empaneled” and how do I know if I’m empaneled to an MTF?

Answer 3: Only TRICARE beneficiaries can be empaneled to an MTF, which means that the MTF has accepted responsibility for your healthcare and has assigned you a Primary Care Manager or PCM. In the overseas environment, ADSM and their families are automatically empaneled to an MTF, but retirees are empaneled for Primary Care as there is available capacity.
 
While some DOD MTFs may not currently empanel new military retirees, military retirees and their family members who are currently enrolled in TRICARE Overseas Select and who have a PCM at a DHN-IP MTF should not see a change to their access to care. TRICARE beneficiaries can find out more about their empanelment status by contacting the TRICARE Service Center or visiting www.tricareonline.com.
 

Question 4: As a military retiree, how can I find out about healthcare resources in the local community?

Answer 4: Military retirees should utilize their local TRICARE service center, which can provide information on local host-nation providers. That information is also available at http://www.tricare-overseas.com/beneficiaries/resources/provider-search.
 

Question 5: How can DoD Civilians find out about healthcare resources in the local community?

Answer 5: DoD Civilians (who aren’t military retirees) can also contact the local TRICARE service center, for information on local host nation providers, or visit http://www.tricare-overseas.com/beneficiaries/resources/provider-search. Civilians should also check with their insurance company to ensure the visit is reimbursable and to discuss the claims process.  Networking with similar civilians in your area can also be helpful to find out their experience with local resources.
 

Question 6: What about family members?

Answer 6: Family members of military retirees and family members of DOD Civilian non-TRICARE beneficiaries will be afforded the same level of access to care as their sponsor (the military retiree or DoD civilian employee).
 

Question 7: What about Specialty Care?

Answer 7: Brian D. Allgood Army Community Hospital (BDAACH), for example, continues to offer specialty care for retirees and non-TRICARE beneficiaries on a space available basis. To find out what specialty care is available, visit the BDAACH Website (https://brianallgood.tricare.mil).  On the main page “About Us” drop down, click on the “Directory” button.   This frequently updated roster provides information on specialty services available to ADSM, ADFM, Retirees and their families, and non-TRICARE beneficiaries. Specialty care at other DHN-IP MTFs varies widely across the region based on staffing and support to operational units. Beneficiaries in these categories should not rely on space available care as their primary source for health care.
 

Question 8: Where can people find more information about DHN-IP Access to Care policies?

Answer 8: Inquire at your local MTF.  Additionally, the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center (CPAC) provides overseas healthcare fact sheets to all new DOD civilian employees before they make the decision to accept an official employment offer.