22nd MDG doubles providers

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Laura L. Valentine
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  All TRICARE Prime beneficiaries enrolled at McConnell are now eligible to receive care at the 22nd Medical Group Women's Health Clinic.

In the past, only one provider was available to accommodate the needs of TRICARE beneficiaries. Having one provider limited the number of appointments available to patients.

Due to the low appointment availability, only active-duty beneficiaries were able to be seen in the clinic. Occasionally, dependents were seen based on space availability. All other patients were referred to off-base health clinics.

Since the introduction of a second provider, Capt. Dawn Clifton, 22nd Medical Group Women's Health Clinic officer in charge, and Marilyn Brandt, 22nd MDG women's health nurse practitioner, have been able to double the appointments scheduled and increase access to care.

With two providers, mission readiness is expedited, said Captain Clifton. Active duty females are able to get testing, treatments and lab results completed, in an efficient time period, before deployment deadlines.

"It's good for continuity of care," said Mrs. Brandt.

Current guidelines for women's health recommend a pelvic exam and breast exam annually, starting at age 21 and continuing throughout a woman's life. Mammogram screening for breast cancer begins at age 40 and should be accomplished annually as well.

Gynecologic services include, but are not limited to well-woman exams, breast exams, birth control counseling/ prescriptions, testing for infections, hormone replacement therapy and limited infertility testing.

Obstetric care is not available on base and all eligible pregnant beneficiaries must be seen by the Women's Health Clinic for referral to an off-base TRICARE provider. Surgical needs are referred off-base as well.

The two providers see an average of 150 beneficiaries weekly, including active-duty members and dependents.

There is a large retired population in the McConnell area and it is important for those women to know appointments are available once again, said Mrs. Brandt.

Women's health appointments can be scheduled by calling the 22nd MDG appointment line at (316) 759-6300.