Referral process made easy at JBER hospital Published April 20, 2011 By Chris McCann JBER Public Affairs JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- A full-service military hospital provides all the same care a civilian hospital does. But the nature of the military - especially in a time of war - means some providers are in short supply. When there aren't enough providers to handle the load, the patient can be referred out to a civilian provider who works with the hospital. This is the case at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Department of Defense/Veterans Affairs Joint-Venture hospital. Certain medical specialties - like pain management, neurosurgery, dermatology and rheumatology - are often referred to a local provider in the community. The JBER hospital works with those providers to ensure service members and their families get the care they need. John Botson is a rheumatologist - a doctor who treats joint conditions - with Orthopedic Physicians in Anchorage, and often works with service members. "We see lots of military patients, probably two to three a week," Botson said. "And I enjoy the partnership (with the JBER hospital) - it's been good." The JBER hospital refers the tough rheumatology cases to Orthopedic Physicians, and he said he likes the challenge. Susan Bertrand is a pain management physician with Alaska Algology Pain Clinic, and also sees quite a few referrals. "We see people for migraines, back pain, and trauma injuries," she said. "We also see military retirees who are dealing with degenerative joint problems and diabetic foot pain." The JBER hospital hosted an open house last month for community providers to meet and talk to JBER and TRICARE staff. "It really helped us connect with the authorization process so we can make things go more smoothly," Bertrand said. The referral process starts with the patient's primary care provider granting permission for the patient to seek specialty care outside that care manager's office. Referrals to other clinics within the JBER hospital are common, but so are outside referrals. "The first thing you need to do after the doctor gives you the referral is come to the Referral Management Center," said Tech. Sgt. Erin Wires, noncommissioned officer in charge of the management center. "Once they come see us, we have a checklist called the Referral Appointment Guide, and it walks them step-by-step through the process," Wires said. If the referral is in-house, the appointment can be booked right then. If it's outside the gates, the Referral Management Center sends all the information to TRICARE and the patient has three options for moving forward. "Once the referral is authorized by TRICARE, the patient will receive a letter in seven to 10 days, stating that it's approved," said Wires. But there are faster ways to get the information, she explained. Patients can also call (888)-TRIWEST and get the approval over the phone, or visit www.triwest.com and register as a patient. Once registered, approved referrals show up in an e-mail within two to three days, Wires said. Once the approval is in hand, the patient can call the provider they've been referred to and set up an appointment. "TRICARE sends the provider the information," Wires said. "They just wait on the patient to make the appointment." The RMC tries to be a one-stop shop for patients, Wires said. It's convenient, but it's also very important. "We verify that we have correct phone numbers and addresses for the patients," she said. "TRICARE gets all the contact information from us - so if it's wrong, you won't get the referral approval within seven to 10 days." For more information on the referral process, contact the Referral Management Center at 580-2778, option 5, option 1.