Hospital inpatient services end Sept. 30 Published Sept. 17, 2006 By Col. (Dr.) David Williams 375th Medical Operations Squadron 09/14/2006 - SCOTT AFB, Il. -- Sept. 30 will mark a critical milestone in the 2005 Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission mandate to transition Scott's 375th Medical Group from a hospital to a clinic when all inpatient services will cease. Impacts of the transition so far have required a freeze on new enrollments of retirees and their families to the Scott hospital and the closure of the Emergency Room. Since BRAC's announcement last fall, Medical Group leadership has joined forces with Scott's TRICARE contractor, Health Net Federal Services, to minimize the impact of the transition on patients who count on the Medical Group for their care. "Although everyone here was disappointed when the BRAC recommendations were announced, the Scott medical community immediately began working with Health Net to address the issues created by the BRAC decision," said Col. (Dr.) Diane Ritter, 375 MDG commander. "Their labors have been Herculean - our local TRICARE network is much stronger thanks to their efforts, and more than 200 additional civilian providers, many in critical specialties, have been added to our network since last fall. It has been an amazing accomplishment." After the BRAC transition is complete, the 375th Medical Group will operate a large clinic with a strong primary and preventive care focus. Today, the majority of Air Force bases within the U.S. have clinics instead of hospitals, and that model has proven successful. Installations with clinics use their civilian networks for specialty care while focusing their military providers on care for the war fighters and their families. "The most important message I can give to our patients is that these changes will not lessen your healthcare benefit," Colonel Ritter said. "What will change is where certain types of care are provided, but the TRICARE benefit will remain a very robust one for our patients." The Referral Management Center staff assists all beneficiaries, with coordinating network referrals that come from Scott providers. The RMC has a staff of 14 people, including four nurses, to help coordinate those referrals. "We work hand-in-hand with Scott's TRICARE Service Center staff to ensure patients get the care they need," said Capt. Karyn Kelly, Director of Care Coordination element chief. "Our experienced nurses and case managers are here to help patients when they need assistance with a network referral." The RMC is located on the first floor of the hospital building near the elevators and is open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for walk in service. Assistance is also available by calling (618) 256-7521.