Beginning July 1, Naval Hospital Pensacola's Urgent Care Center will be open daily from 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.

The UCC is open seven days a week including holidays and is available for all TRICARE beneficiaries including TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select.

"With our transition to an ambulatory care model with same-day surgical capabilities, we wanted to expand the hours of our Urgent Care Center to enhance access to care for our patients," said Capt. Amy Branstetter, commanding officer, NHP.

TRICARE beneficiaries can visit the UCC for acute care symptoms such as minor lacerations and injuries, fevers, sore throats and cough.

Beneficiaries with severe or life threatening injuries or illnesses such as head trauma, strokes or heart attacks should call 911 or visit the closest emergency room. TRICARE's Nurse Advice Line is also available 24/7 at 1-800-TRICARE, option 1, to assist beneficiaries in deciding if a visit to an emergency room is appropriate.

"The Urgent Care Center provides treatment to patients with acute needs when their primary care providers are not available after hours or on the weekends," said Lt. Mary Sivulich, department head for the UCC. "There are some limitations to the care we can provide, but the UCC is ideal for minor injuries and illnesses."

While the UCC is open to all TRICARE beneficiaries, those enrolled with a Medical Home Port Team at NHP or one of its local branch clinics are highly encouraged to contact their Medical Home Port Team during normal hours before visiting the UCC. The Medical Home Port Teams offers same day appointments and provide beneficiaries with continuity of care by its team of health care providers.

"The Medical Home Port Teams know their patients best because they see them on a regular basis," said Branstetter. "Having continuity of care with the same team of health care professionals is a huge benefit to our patients enrolled here because there is a relationship established between the team and patient, which leads to trust and better overall care."

Evening and weekend appointments can be made for the UCC by either calling the UCC at (850) 505-6731 or by visiting www.TRICAREonline.com.


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