Who would I contact?

Sibil

The clinic here is referring people to urgent care that doesn't have any providers on staff during some of their operating hours.

I'm sure the doc I spoke to wouldn't knowingly refer me to a UCC that's open til 5 if he knew the doc left at 3.  Also, I'm pretty sure he and every other referring doc would like to know the doc is only in 12 hours/week, an NP or PA covers a few more hours, and the rest of the time the clinic only can do immunizations and drug screens.   

Since it's an island, and I have a feeling all the mil clinics here refer to the same group of UCCs, I feel like that information should get some universal dissemination.  So, who do I contact?  Tricare, one of the med groups, all of them?  I'm pretty flipping peeved about it, and I think it could potentially be a huge barrier to care for the people here.

margotmacomber

Is there a Tricare office on base?  They are usually pretty competent.  I wouldn't bother calling Tricare--you'll never get someone that isn't inept.

Sibil

I know there's tricare at the army hospital.  I guess I could drive that way later today.

Sibil

Yay! I called the appointment line about something else and asked in passing.  They gave me the direct line to the patient advocate and to the med group's main office.

iluvmytxrgr

Sibil:

Yay! I called the appointment line about something else and asked in passing.  They gave me the direct line to the patient advocate and to the med group's main office.

Wow, that was a lot easier then I figured it would be.  I hope they listen to you and stop refering people there or at least figure out the schedule for this doc and let people know about it. 

Sibil

iluvmytxrgr:

Sibil:

Yay! I called the appointment line about something else and asked in passing.  They gave me the direct line to the patient advocate and to the med group's main office.

Wow, that was a lot easier then I figured it would be.  I hope they listen to you and stop refering people there or at least figure out the schedule for this doc and let people know about it. 

I mentioned the issues briefly, and she seemed really concerned about it, so she wanted to give me as much help as possible.  Apparently this one group has a contract, so this could put that in jeopardy.  Which is both good and bad b/c I don't think there are many other options.  I wouldn't want people to receive less care as a result, but I do think that at least knowing the real hours a provider is present would be extremely helpful.

I want to call now, but I think I'm having an adverse reaction from the meds, and I feel high as a kite from a mere antibiotic.  I think I'll wait until that wears off before trying to articulate a complaint