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| Influenza season approaching |
We’ll soon be entering the influenza season and will begin vaccinating individuals against the flu. We have not yet received word on exact dates that we will be receiving the vaccine, so definite dates for administering the vaccine are not yet established. We don’t expect any shortage of the vaccine this year. Notification about the receipt of vaccine (and subsequent dates we’ll be giving the vaccine) will be available on the Naval Hospital Bremerton website at www.nhbremerton.org or by calling our Flu Hotline at 360-315-4469. In addition, all high risk individuals (i.e. pregnant women, and individuals with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes) will be sent a postcard notifying them of the dates, time and location that the vaccine will be given. The location for vaccinating family members and retirees will be the same as last year (on Bangor at the Health and Education Center, Building 2850, Thresher Ave). The vaccine will also be available at Naval Hospital Bremerton Immunization Clinic and the Branch Health Clinic Bangor.
Why get the immunization? Up to 5 to 20% of the population gets the flu, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and approximately 36,000 people die from the flu. That’s more than enough of a reason! The best way to protect against influenza viruses is to get vaccinated every year, by either an injectable vaccine or a nasal spray (Flumist will be administered unless there is a contraindication or if the member is in the high risk group). |
Influenza viruses and vaccines change from year to year. The 2008-2009 influenza vaccine covers three strains of the virus that scientists believe will be most likely to circulate this year. Even if you get a different strain of flu virus, a vaccination can make your illness milder. Anyone may receive a flu vaccination, but some people are at a higher risk for the flu. Changes to federal guidelines this year added children ages 5-18 to the groups recommended to receive flu vaccination. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that the following groups should receive this year’s influenza vaccination:
- All children from 6 months through 18 years of age
- Anyone 50 years of age or older
- Anyone who is at risk of complications from influenza, or more likely to require medical care
- Women who will be pregnant during influenza season
- Anyone with long-term health problems
- Anyone with a weakened immune system
- Anyone 6 months through 18 years of age on long-term aspirin treatment
- Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities
- Anyone who lives with or cares for people at high risk for influenza-related complications
- Household contacts and caregivers of children from birth up to 5 years of age and people 50 years and older.
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| Fourth annual Breast Health Awareness and Wellness event - October 24th |
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, designed to highlight the importance of monthly breast self-exams for all women and annual mammograms for women over age 40 or with family histories of the disease. Breast cancer can often be diagnosed with mammography long before a lump is discovered through self-exam. Early detection has led to a significant decrease in fatalities in recent years. Women over age 40 should begin getting yearly mammograms in addition to their monthly breast self-exams. In addition, those who have had a mother or sister develop breast cancer should start annual mammograms 10 years before the age that relative was diagnosed.
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Naval Hospital Bremerton and MWR are excited to present the Fourth Annual Women’s Breast Cancer Awareness event on October 24, 2008 at Jackson Park Chapel from 9:00 to 2:00, a one day health education and resource event. This interactive and hands-on event is open to everyone - active duty, beneficiaries and civilians, combined of men and women, young and aging. The event will include: Health Screenings, Health Seminars, Speakers, Interactive Resource Booths, Exercise and Cooking Demonstrations, Shoe Fittings, Mini Spa, Chair Massage, Light Snacks, and much more. Please see flyer for more information. |
| TRICARE informational brief - November 5th |
To increase awareness about the TRICARE program, Naval Hospital Bremerton is hosting “TRICARE Overview” briefings. These briefing are open to anyone interested in learning more about the TRICARE program. The next briefing will be
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held in Naval Hospital Bremerton’s Healthcare Support Building (Building 14) on November 5th. All meetings are held at 11:00. No reservation is required. For further information, please call Kendra Scroggs at (360) 475-4408. |
| Summer Shortages of Primary Care Managers |
Due to summer moves and current deployments, Naval Hospital Bremerton anticipates a shortage of primary care providers during the summer months – continuing until September. Some areas may experience longer waits for appointments and instead of seeing your regular provider you may see another provider on your team. If possible, we ask that routine annual exams and chronic disease management appointments be
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delayed until the fall when we anticipate our staffing will return to normal. This flexibility will allow us to ensure that appointments for urgent care needs are available. Also, please contact us as soon as possible if you are unable to make your scheduled appointment (no-shows also decrease availability and impact others needing appointments). Thank you for helping us during this time of shortages. |
| Naval Hospital Bremerton Change of Command |
Captain Catherine A. Wilson, NC, USN, will turn over leadership of Naval Hospital Bremerton to Captain Mark E. Brouker, MSC, USN, during a change of command ceremony on July 18, 2008, at 2 p.m.
Capt Brouker reports to duty from U.S. Naval Hospital Rota, Spain, where he has served as the Executive Officer since June, 2006.
The day also marks the end of Captain Wilson’s Naval career as she will be retiring after 30 years of stellar duty. She has recently accepted the position as executive director of the state of Virginia Wounded Warrior program, in which she will continue to serve those who serve. In her new capacity, Capt. Wilson will bring her accumulated Navy expertise from such diverse assignments as Commanding Officer of Expeditionary Medical Facility Kuwait that included the U.S. Military Hospital and nine Troop Medical Clinics located throughout the country; Executive Officer of Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton; Director of Fleet and Family Medicine, Naval Medical Center
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Portsmouth; Deputy Director of TRICARE Mid-Atlantic Region Lead Agent Office handling military and civilian health care for over a million beneficiaries in Virginia and North Carolina.
Capt. Wilson has also served as the Congressional Detail to Senator Daniel K. Inouye of Hawai’i where she served as advisor on all health-related issues. Other assignments working directly for federal government concerns on military health related concerns include staff assistant for the Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee for Defense, along with Labor, Health, and Human Services and Education Committee.
All interested personnel and their guests are cordially invited to attend. Parking will be extremely tight that day, so carpooling is highly encouraged. For more details on the Change of Command ceremony, biography copies of Capt. Wilson and Capt Brouker, Naval Hospital Bremerton information, please contact the NHB Public Affairs Officer at 360-475-4665. |
| Health Care Consumer Council |
Please remember to join us at our quarterly Health Care Consumer Council. These meetings are an opportunity to exchange information with Naval Hospital Bremerton and TriWest staff concerning local medical services and your health care benefit. Meetings are open to all TRICARE
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beneficiaries (active, retired, family members) and command representatives. All meetings are held in the Naval Hospital Bremerton Ross Auditorium (sub-level) at 10:00 a.m. Upcoming quarterly meetings will be held September 4th, 2008 and December 4th |
| TRICARE Information Briefing |
To increase awareness about the TRICARE program, Naval Hospital Bremerton is hosting “TRICARE Overview” briefings. These briefing are open to anyone interested in learning more about the TRICARE program. Briefings for 2008 will be held in Naval Hospital Bremerton’s
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Healthcare Support Building (Building 14) on July 2nd, September 3rd and November 5th. All meetings are held at 11:00. No reservation is required. For further information, please call Kendra Scroggs at (360) 475-4408. |
| Naval Hospital Obstetrics is Tops! |
Naval Hospital Bremerton offers a comprehensive array of high-quality obstetrics services while providing very personal care to assure a positive, comfortable pregnancy experience. We are the only local site that offers an in house staff provider and we have the only Certified Nurse Midwife in Kitsap County. Other services include Labor-Delivery-Recovery Rooms which provide a home-like atmosphere in your very own private room. The physicians, nurses and other medical professionals of the obstetrics team believe that each childbearing experience is unique
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and we have a full range of prenatal care options, from Family Medicine to Certified Nurse Midwife to Obstetrics providers. These prenatal services are fully integrated with our maternal fetal medicine providers (aka perinatologists) to provide the best care possible. They work in partnership with each woman (with family involvement encouraged) to ensure that her individual needs and preferences are met from early pregnancy through the birth process. These are some of the reasons that we received the Obstetric Care Patient Satisfaction Award for all military hospitals. |
| Now Available - Chiropractic care for active duty |
Do you have low back pain, neck pain, headaches, a sports injury or a sprain/strain injury? Chiropractic care may help! Chiropractic care focuses on the interaction of the spine and the nervous system, and how this relationship preserves and restores your health. It emphasizes healing without using medications or surgery, and chiropractic providers work in cooperation with other health care providers in your best
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interest. The Chiropractic Care Program at Naval Hospital Bremerton is available only to active duty service members. Non-active duty beneficiaries may seek chiropractic care in the local community at their own expense. If you’re an active duty service member interested in chiropractic treatment as one of your many available options, please consult your primary care manager for a referral. |
| Pregnancy group available at Naval Hospital Bremerton |
The OB/GYN Centering Pregnancy Group gives pregnant women a chance to meet other expecting mothers and discuss various issues related to pregnancy, childbirth and personal growth. The group is composed of 8-10 women (and significant others) who are due to deliver their baby at roughly the same time. The group meets 9 times throughout the pregnancy and is facilitated by a Certified Nurse Midwife and staff nurse. There is even a post partum reunion to celebrate the births of the babies. Topics covered in the meetings
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include nutrition, exercise, breast feeding, patenting, labor preparations, pediatrics and post partum depression. This is a great place to ask questions, express worries and fears, share joys, and learn more about yourself. It is also an excellent opportunity to meet other expectant mothers and make new friends. Additionally, every meeting includes a baby & mom check and private time with your health provider as well as time to socialize with other group member and snack. |
| Authorization required for urgent care and out of area care |
TRICARE Prime beneficiaries enrolled at Military Treatment Facilities are required to obtain prior approval from their Prime Care Manager before seeking routine or urgent out-of-area care. Authorization is only required for routine or urgent care -- emergency care does not require an authorization and beneficiaries may continue to seek emergency care at the nearest emergency room. This DoD policy applies to active duty family members, retirees, and family members of retirees. If a beneficiary does not receive prior approval from the primary care manager for non- emergency care, the care may be covered under the point-of-service (POS) option, which includes a deductible, higher co-payments and cost-shares. A beneficiary
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may appeal the payment of a claim under the POS option if they believe the care was an emergency.
* In Area (within duty hours) - contact primary care manager or clinic
* In Area (after hours) - contact on-call primary care manager (Bremerton 360.475.5700 or Everett 360.304.4060)
* Out of area (in duty hours) - contact Referral Management Center at 360.475.4455
* Out of area (after hours) - contact on-call primary care manager (Bremerton 360.475.5700 or Everett 360.304.4060) |
| HPV vaccine approved: helps prevent cervical cancer |
Naval Hospital Bremerton offers the Gardasil vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 6.2 million Americans acquire HPV each year, which, in some women, can lead to cervical cancer. The FDA has approved the vaccine for women between the ages of 9 and 26 (it was not tested in women older than 26). When Gardasil is requested for a patient
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within the specified age range of 9-26, it can be given as a scheduled immunization. The vaccine is made up of three shots to be given over a six-month period. The immunization Clinic at the Naval Hospital is a walk-in clinic, and no appointment is necessary. The Immunization Clinic hours are from 7:30-4:00, Monday-Fridays (except holidays). The clinic is located on the 2nd floor of the Family Care Center. |
| 2008 TRICARE overview briefs |
Need to know more about your TRICARE benefit? Are you confused about what services are available through TRICARE? Do you just need a refresher class in the basics of TRICARE? We have just the solution for you!! Please join us at one of our “TRICARE Overview” briefings. You will hear about the TRICARE program (plus any new changes) and have an opportunity to engage in a questions/answer session with a TriWest representative. All briefings will be held in
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the Healthcare Support Offices Conference Room (Building 14 – located in staff parking lot across the pedestrian walkway).
The 2008 schedule is:
02 Jan 08, 11:00 a.m.
05 Mar 08, 11:00 a.m.
7 May 08, 11:00 a.m.
2 Jul 08, 11:00 a.m.
3 Sep 08, 11:00 a.m.
5 Nov 08, 11:00 a.m. |
| Naval Hospital Bremerton looking for family advocates |
Naval Hospital Bremerton is looking for individuals who are interested in participating as “family advocates” to our Family-Centered Care team as they evaluate ways to improve our family-centered care. A “family advocate” may be asked to help develop or review informational materials for families, provide
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educational sessions or resources on family centered care to providers, residents & support staff, raise awareness about issues of concern to families or offer a patient response to proposed changes or innovations in the health care system. If you, or someone you know, are interested, please call LCDR Cook at 475-4304. |
| After hours access line available for urgent issues and advice |
An after-hours access line is available to beneficiaries enrolled to Naval Hospital Bremerton (or one of our health clinics) with questions, concerns and/or wanting to contact a provider. The access line is staffed 24 hours a day, however, during working hours patients are asked to call their clinic directly. After working hours the access line will provide information or contact a provider to assist patients (if
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needed). The purpose of this service is to allow direct access to providers for urgent issues or urgent advice. It is not designed for routine matters such as medication refills or laboratory result follow up. The access line can be reached by calling: 360-475-5700 (for Bremerton, Bangor, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard) or 425-304-4060 (for Everett). |
| Assistance available for use of the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy |
Express Scripts Inc., the company that runs the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy (TMOP), is implementing a new program for TRICARE beneficiaries. Effective immediately, TRICARE beneficiaries will have access to a Member Choice Center, where customer service representatives will assist in making the registration process easier. You can convert your retail prescriptions to mail order prescriptions by phone in less than 15 minutes by contacting the new Member Choice Center at 1-877-363-1433, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (central time). A specially trained Patient Care Advocate will verify your information and walk you through the enrollment process.
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This new program will also reach out to physicians, making them aware that prescriptions can be filled through mail order. Or if you prefer to register and convert your prescriptions online, go to the Express Scripts website at www.express-scripts.com and click on the TRICARE logo, then just fill out the electronic enrollment form and select the existing medications you want to convert to home delivery. Whether you enroll online or by phone, Express Scripts will take care of contacting your doctor(s) and obtaining new prescriptions for you ... so your medications are delivered right to your door in time for your next refill. |
| Space available at Naval Hospital Bremerton |
In an effort to expand services and access to care, we are inviting all non-Medicare eligible beneficiaries that are currently enrolled to a civilian primary care manager (and who live in our enrollment area) to transfer to a Naval Hospital Bremerton Primary Care Manager. As part of this invitation, letters are being sent out, with specific instructions on how to transfer their
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enrollment. If you or one of your family members are approaching age 65, please contact our Health Benefits Advisor at 360-475-4651 to discuss options. Effective immediately, and while capacity remains available, all incoming active duty family members will be required to enroll in the Military Treatment Facility or one of our Branch Health Clinics. |
| Post-deployment health reassessment (Attention: Individual Augmentees) |
The Post-Deployment Health Reassessment (PDHRA) Program is a new program mandated by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and designed to identify and address health concerns, with specific emphasis on mental health, that have emerged over time since deployment. The PDHRA provides for a second health assessment during the three- to six-month time period after return from deployment, ideally at the three to four month mark. The reassessment is scheduled for completion within 180 days of return. The PDHRA will be offered to all servicemembers who have returned from operational deployment, including all active duty servicemembers, National Guard and Reserve members, as
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well as those who have separated or retired since their return from deployment. The PDHRA Program documents health concerns, assessment and referrals. Servicemembers should be contacted by their unit leaders and given information on how to access PDHRA and PDHRA-related services when they fall within the timeframe for completing the PDHRA process. After servicemembers have completed the PDHRA form, a healthcare provider will discuss with the servicemember any health concerns which they have indicated on the form and will make referrals to appropriate healthcare or community-based services if further evaluation or treatment is needed. |
| Naval Hospital to pass information on Emergency Room visits to network providers |
Effective immediately, all beneficiaries currently enrolled in the network and seen at the Naval Hospital Bremerton Emergency Department will have information on their visit sent directly to their network primary care manager within 1-2 business days. A new process now allows the Referral Management Center to access transcribed
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records of the visit and associated ancillary information. Once accessed, the Referral Management Center will fax the results to the primary care manager, ensuring the provider is appraised of the specifics of the visit and eliminating the need for patients to hand carry results back to their provider.
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| Naval Hospital Bremerton looking for patient advisors |
Naval Hospital Bremerton is looking for individuals who are interested in participating as "patient advisors" to our Family-Centered Care team as they evaluate ways to improve our family-centered care. A "patient advisor" may be asked to help develop or review informational materials for families, provide |
educational sessions or resources on family centered care to providers, residents and support staff, raise awareness about issues of concern to families or offer a patient response to proposed changes or innovations in the health care system. If you, or someone you know, is interested, please call 475.4518. |
| TRICARE online offers health information and appointments |
TRICARE Online is a great way to improve healthcare access and wellness education for you and your family. This Internet “gateway” portal provides secure interactive customer services such as online medical advice, health information and the ability to book appointments for enrolled beneficiaries. ALL TRICARE beneficiaries (those enrolled in the network, or using TRICARE Extra and Standard) can use the online service to obtain information about TRICARE benefits and services, and access to18 million pages of reliable consumer health and drug information. Additionally, TRICARE Prime beneficiaries enrolled at Naval Hospital Bremerton or any of our Health Clinics can book routine and follow-up primary care appointments online.
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Completing the one-time online registration (www.TRICAREOnline,com), assures you secure access to the site. Once registered, you can create a personal health journal to record health care data such as current treatment, immunizations, prescribed medications, and past medical procedures. By using your secure password to access this health journal, you can retrieve your personal health care information online from any location – even when you’re moving, traveling, or away from home on temporary assignment.
We’re excited to offer this wonderful program, and hope that you will find TRICARE Online to be helpful in providing additional healthcare resources to you and your family.
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| Briefers available to speak to family groups |
Naval Hospital Bremerton has staff standing by to talk to your command or family group --- about Health Promotion activities, the TRICARE program, or any health related topic that you wish to discuss. Please |
contact Kendra Scroggs at 475.4408 if you are interested in having a hospital or TriWest representative come speak to your group. |
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