Q: How would I know if I can continue to have my Primary Care provider after April 1?
A. United Healthcare Military and Veterans will begin to provide health care for TRICARE in the West Region starting April 1. Meanwhile, TriWest continues to serve the 2.9 million beneficiaries in the West Region through March 31. Continuity of care remains a top TRICARE priority, and United Healthcare will make every effort to conduct a smooth transition. However, some TRICARE Prime and Prime Remote enrollees may have to change their primary care manager when the new contract begins. You can access Provider Locator list at http://www.uhcmilitarywest.com/pcm_locator.html.
As we move towards the start of health care delivery April 1, here’s what beneficiaries can expect:
March 15: Deadline for establishing automatic payments with United Healthcare for enrollment fees or monthly premiums, to ensure no break in coverage.
April 1: Health care delivery under new contract begins April 1. United Healthcare’s customer service can answer your health care questions via the phone, online and in person at TRICARE Service Centers. Customer Service During the Transition, TriWest and United Healthcare will share the customer service responsibility. United Healthcare will be able to assist with enrollments effective April 1 and later and answer questions about the transition and any transition-related correspondence. For other general customer assistance including authorizations, referrals, claims, benefits, and eligibility with dates of service up to March 31, please contact TriWest at 1-888-TRIWEST (1-888-874-9378).
Important Information: Mike O’Callaghan Federal Medical Center’s phone tree has changed. Please listen carefully. For example; patient needing to contact Referral Management should call 702-653-2273 press Option 2 then press Option 1, or 21 and that will get them directly to Referral Management at the front desk. The old option 141 will now take you to Mental Health front desk.
Send your questions to askthedoc@nellis.af.mil.
