May 7, 2015 -- Its priority since its founding in 1941 is to heal the nation's heroes and their families.
To do so, Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Florida, consistently strives to make access to health care easy and convenient for its more than 71,000 patients — active duty, retirees and family members from all branches of service. About 2,000 of those patients are enrolled at its Naval Branch Health Clinic Albany aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany.
“Our branch health clinic is nationally recognized for delivering high-quality, patient-centered care through our Medical Home Port,” Lt. Cmdr. Raymond Bristol, NBHC Albany officer-in-charge, said. “Our staff members go above and beyond to support our warfighters, retirees and family members and strive to ensure the best patient experiences possible.”
What type of care is available to me and my family?
Patients with a primary care manager at NBHC Albany belong to a Medical Home Port team that places the patient at the center of a collaborative team of caregivers — from doctors to case managers.
Highly-skilled health care professionals are ready to deliver urgent, preventive or routine care whenever needed. Enrolled patients with medical issues or concerns — outside the scope of the clinic’s capabilities — are referred to the TRICARE network for care.
When is the primary care clinic open?
NBHC Albany’s primary care clinic is open Mondays – Fridays from 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. For urgent and routine care — minor cuts, sprains, migraines, earaches, rising fevers, urinary tract infections or similar symptoms — patients should make an appointment with their PCMs by calling the clinic’s appointment line at 229-639-7884/7886, Mondays – Fridays from 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., excluding holidays. Same-day appointments are put aside every day to ensure patients with urgent care needs are seen when needed.
Sign up for RelayHealth, a free and secure email service that allows patients to contact their care teams for routine needs from requesting lab results to appointments. Because this system is for non-urgent issues, it can take up to one business day for a reply.
How can beneficiaries get care after hours?
After-hours, patients can call the Nurse Advice Line at 800-874-2273 for clinical advice 24/7. Registered nurses are available to assess symptoms, assist with self-care and advise about children’s medical issues. If needed, staff can also connect patients with the military treatment facility for an urgent care appointment or make an urgent care referral within the TRICARE network.
Those patients experiencing emergent symptoms such as severe bleeding, chest pain, broken bones, inability to breathe, or similar conditions should seek immediate assistance at the nearest emergency room or call 911. NBHC Albany does not operate an emergency room.
What options are available for beneficiaries to receive prescriptions?
NBHC Albany’s pharmacy is open Mondays – Fridays from 7:30 a.m. – noon and 1 – 4 p.m. Patients also have the option of signing up for TRICARE’s Pharmacy Home Delivery for safe, affordable and convenient delivery of prescriptions by way of the U.S. Postal Service. It is the least expensive way to fill prescriptions after military pharmacies; enrollment is free and refill requests can be made by mail, phone or online. Visit www.tricare.mil/homedelivery or call 877-363-1303 for additional information.
Ancillary services also available at NBHC Albany include laboratory (e.g., blood and urinalysis) and radiology (diagnostic).
NBHC Albany is one of NH Jacksonville’s six health care facilities located across Florida and Georgia. It has consistently earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for health care quality and safety from the nation’s largest accrediting body for U.S. hospitals. Its Medical Home Port team has again earned the National Committee for Quality Assurance Level III recognition — highest-level — for its patient-centric care.
For more information about NBHC Albany clinic hours, services or to meet its Medical Home Port team and doctors, visit www.med.navy.mil/sites/navalhospitaljax or pick up a free Patient Guide at the clinic. NH Jacksonville’s mobile app for Apple and Android OS is available for download. The app gives patients access to hospital and branch health clinic resources and services while on the go.