Urgent care pilot program Published Sept. 8, 2016 By Senior Airman Jaeda Tookes 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- An Air Force wide Urgent Care Pilot program became effective May 23, 2016, allowing TRICARE Prime members two visits per fiscal year to a network TRICARE authorized provider without a referral or prior authorization. The program is open to non-active duty Prime enrollees, TRICARE Prime remote enrollees and TRICARE young adult Prime enrollees. “The program is set up to help save money paid out for emergency room visits,” said 2nd Lt. Marques Hiers, 341st Medical Operations Squadron TRICARE operations and patient administration. “Historically patients will seek emergency care instead of requesting a referral for an urgent care visit due to the process being simpler.” According to Hiers, Malmstrom has a unique setup where there aren’t any urgent care or ERs at the clinic on base. “Anyone seeking care during business hours will be able to receive it immediately, without having to take out the time to call for a referral,” Hiers said. “The biggest challenge is the urgent situations occurring in the evenings when the local urgent care facilities are closed. The member will not have a choice but to seek care at the ER.” According to Capt. Marc Orcutt, 341st Medical Group practice manager, the program is a step in the right direction, and there are no costs or registration requirements. “It is the member’s responsibility to keep track of the amount of referrals that have been used,” Hiers said. According to Orcutt, patients are still encouraged to utilize their primary care team, or the nurse advice line for any medical advice prior to seeking urgent care. “The program was designed to ensure overall continuity of care is met for the patients,” Hiers said. For more information, contact the Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273) or by visiting www.tricare.mil.