New 90th MDG concept: FHI Published Sept. 11, 2009 By Lt. Col. Joanne Ruggeri 90th Medical Operations Squadron commander F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- It is my privilege to serve the community of F.E. Warren. As the 90th Medical Operations Squadron commander, I am dedicated to ensuring your medical needs are met. The military health system has made it possible for us to receive the best care anywhere. Many people in America are unable to afford their medical care. Health-care reform in America has been an issue of great debate and strong emotion. The military health system will continue to give you the medical coverage you require. What is Family Health Initiative? FHI is a way to create an enjoyable and productive healthcare environment that promotes a team approach to meeting your healthcare needs. The focus is to ensure our patients are receiving care from their provider when needed. With FHI, the key is continuity. Patients will be cared for by the same technician, nurse, provider and family health team every time they visit the clinic. Better continuity means better medical management. All your medical needs will be met by your FHI team and you will not have to worry about seeing a different provider each time you visit the clinic. How to access care? All patients will still call the appointment line at 773-3461 or visit http://www.tricareonline.com to make all appointments. Active-duty members will be seen at the 90th Medical Group for all urgent care within 24 hours. Active-duty are still encouraged to call during the active-duty-only window of 6:30 to 7 a.m. for first priority to appointments. All non active-duty patients will be directed to the downtown network for care when there are no appointments available within 24 hours. Patients who choose to wait longer than 24 hours will be scheduled and seen within 7 calendar days. What is urgent care? An urgent healthcare condition is an illness or injury that won't cause further disability or death if not treated within 24 hours but does require professional intervention to prevent it from developing into a greater health threat. Can you access urgent care outside of the 90th MDG? Urgent care should be used when your family health provider or family health team is not available. Tricare Prime beneficiaries must call the clinic appointment line to receive authorization to be seen in the downtown network for urgent care. If the patient does not receive authorization, they will be billed under the Tricare Prime Point-Of-Service option, requiring out-of-pocket payment for the medical bill incurred. How is emergency care different from urgent care? An emergency is a medical condition that creates a threat for loss of life, limb, eyesight or unrelieved pain as perceived by a prudent layperson -- someone with a limited knowledge of health and medicine. In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency room for treatment or call 911. The beneficiary or family member must contact the 90th Medical Group or TriWest within 24 hours of being seen in the emergency room or if a visit results in an inpatient admission. This ensures that ongoing inpatient care can be coordinated and authorized. We are here to support the most capable fighting force in the world. Our contribution is to provide the best quality health care and exceed all your health care expectations.