Base clinic/ hospital/sick bay

[Wayne M]

Wow! I can tell you stories about the VA Hospital in Houston that ......Well, it used to be show up at 0700 for blood work, be number 100 in line at that time, Get out of the blood area by about 1000 hours, have an appointment for 1300 hours. Not enough time to go home and then back (live 40 miles from there) Show up for 1300 and not get out until 1600-1630 on most visits.

Things have changed, as reflected by others in their posts, and things have changed in this area. Now, My HealtheVet - The Gateway to Veteran Health and Wellness the VA has a web site that makes everything so much simpler. To many changes to put here, so visit the site. Also they have satellite clinics in the area. Blood work is done a week before doctors schedule and is by appointment. Fifteen minutes wait time. Doctor's appointment is the same.

With that said, I have the ability of VA care, or that of a retired military person. It's Tricare for Life, but it is under the United States Family Health Plan (USFHP). DW has been sick a few times in our travels, and a call to USFHP will direct us to the nearest clinic to be treated. Or, if it is an emergency we can go to "any" hospital emergency room and be treated, with USFHP picking up the tab. No co-pay, minimum co-pay on prescriptions.

I'm not sure about the Tricare for Life Prime, but I believe you can also use any emergency room.

I would not hesitate to use a Military Hospital if I were in the vicinity of one.

[CathyJ1952]

Not all posts/bases have ER facilities these days. Those that DO, retirees/dependents are eligible to receive services and be hospitalized if needed, if there is a hospital. I am the dependent and at one time, I went to a clinic at one base because I had sudden onset of floaters in my eye indicating possible detached retina. They saw me but they couldn't treat me (as a dependent), as they had no ER or hospital. They DID refer me to a civilian ophthalmologist who I saw the next day, where I used my tricare to pay for the services rendered. I ended up having to have laser surgery to repair the retinas in BOTH eyes as I had mirror image damage to the retina in both eyes, which the Dr said was VERY unusual. ANOTHER time and at another base, I had severe abdominal pain and was treated at the ER on base and I had wonderful treatment, so it depends on each base whether or not you can be treated. but ALSO, under MEDICAL on the back of your ID card, it has to say Direct: YES in order for you to be eligible to receive care AND/OR to get meds filled at post/base pharmacies.