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New Arrivals at Fort Irwin — TRICARE Quick Start Guide

Welcome to Fort Irwin!

Getting set up with healthcare is one of your first priorities. Follow these steps to help ensure you and your family have the TRICARE coverage and healthcare access you need.

Step-by-Step: Get Set Up in 5 Steps

  1. Verify Your DEERS Information. Confirm your address, family members, and sponsor information are current in DEERS. Update your information through milConnect or locate an ID card office through ID Card Office Online . Active duty service members should also confirm their Unit Identification Code is correct.
  2. Enroll in TRICARE Prime. The fastest option is to use milConnect and select Manage Health Benefits. You may also call TriWest at 1-888-874-9378. Make sure your residential address is correct and reflects your Fort Irwin residence. Active duty service members are normally enrolled at their assigned military treatment facility.
  3. Receive Your PCM Assignment. Your Primary Care Manager is assigned based on location, eligibility, clinic capacity, and provider availability. To review your PCM, log in to the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal , select View Patient Information/PCM, and review the information listed under Medical Contacts.
  4. Register with the WACH Pharmacy. Bring your military ID card to the WACH outpatient pharmacy. Ask about transferring current prescriptions and bring an updated medication list. Eligible refill requests may be submitted through the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal. Home delivery may also be available through Express Scripts.
  5. Schedule Your First Appointment. Call the WACH Appointment Line at 866-957-9224. For after-hours health questions, call the Nurse Advice Line at 800-874-2273, Option 1.

Start with DEERS. Your address and family eligibility information affect TRICARE enrollment, PCM assignment, referrals, and claims.

Key Phone Numbers

Enrollment and healthcare contact guide
Need Contact Number
Schedule an appointment WACH Appointment Line 866-957-9224
Enrollment or PCM changes TriWest 1-888-874-9378
After-hours health questions Nurse Advice Line 800-874-2273, Option 1
Patient concerns WACH Patient Advocate 760-383-5099
JVTMC PCM questions WACH Managed Care 760-383-5482

Important Reminders

  • TRICARE Prime beneficiaries generally need a referral from their PCM before receiving specialty care outside the military treatment facility.
  • Register newborns in DEERS within 90 days of birth for stateside births.
  • Keep your address current in DEERS because it may affect eligibility, PCM assignment, referrals, and claims.
  • Create a TriWest Beneficiary Portal account to monitor referral, authorization, and claim information.

Choosing a Primary Care Manager

Not sure which provider to choose? The provider list below reflects the information available as of June 2026. Assignments and availability may change based on staffing, clinic capacity, mission requirements, and patient eligibility.

Important: Javier Villanueva Troop Medical Clinic providers support eligible 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment active duty Soldiers. Other units and family members are generally assigned through the WACH Primary Care Clinic.

11th ACR — JVTMC Providers

Regimental Surgeon

  • LTC Samuel Tahk, MD — all squadrons may book with the Regimental Surgeon

1st Squadron, 11th ACR

  • CPT Chase Blankenship, DO
  • CPT Youngkwan Ko, PA-C

2nd Squadron, 11th ACR

  • CPT Crystal Donders, DO
  • CPT Moira McCormack, PA-C

Regimental Support Squadron

  • Position currently vacant — eligible patients may book with an available provider

Primary Care Clinic Providers

For eligible patients from other units, dependents, and other assigned beneficiaries.

  • CPT Kevin Choe, DO
    Patients ages birth through 17
  • CPT Austin Ridgeway, DO
    Patients ages birth through 17
  • CPT Sarah Contrerasortiz, MD
    Adults and children; speaks Spanish
  • CPT Kai Combs, MD
    Adults and children
  • CPT Laura Connolly, DO
    Adults and children
  • CPT Teea Bunker, DO
    Adults only
  • CPT Heesoo Soh, PA-C
    1916th Flight provider; unit priority applies; adults only
  • Robert Medina, PA-C
    Children older than one month; speaks Spanish

Provider rosters and appointment availability change. Contact TriWest or the WACH Appointment Line to confirm current PCM availability before requesting a change.

Newborn Enrollment — 90-Day Checklist

The clock starts at birth, not when you receive the birth certificate. Begin the process as soon as possible.

The 90-Day Rule: For a stateside birth, your newborn must be registered in DEERS within 90 days. If registration is not completed in time, TRICARE eligibility and claim payment may be affected beginning on day 91.

Timeline: What to Do and When

Days 1–14: Register in DEERS

  1. Request a certified birth certificate. Contact the hospital or county vital records office for instructions.
  2. Gather the sponsor's information. Have the sponsor's military ID card and Social Security Number available.
  3. Contact an ID card office. Ask what documents are required to register the newborn in DEERS.
  4. Complete DEERS registration. Confirm that the newborn appears correctly in the sponsor's family record.

Days 14–30: Enroll in TRICARE Prime

A newborn may not be automatically enrolled in the desired TRICARE plan after DEERS registration. Confirm enrollment and PCM assignment.

  • Use milConnect and select Manage Health Benefits.
  • Or call TriWest at 1-888-874-9378.
  • Confirm that enrollment is complete.
  • Confirm the newborn's PCM assignment.

Days 30–60: Schedule the First Well-Child Visit

  • Call the WACH Appointment Line at 866-957-9224.
  • Tell the representative that you are scheduling a newborn or well-child appointment.
  • Have the child's PCM information available, if assigned.

Day 90: Deadline

Do not wait until day 90. If DEERS registration or TRICARE enrollment is incomplete, contact the appropriate office immediately for guidance.

Required Newborn Documents

Newborn registration document guide
Document Where to Get It
Certified birth certificate Hospital records office or county vital records office
Sponsor's military ID card Sponsor should already have this document
Sponsor's Social Security Number Sponsor's records
Any interim birth documentation accepted by the ID card office Hospital or local records office, when available

What If the Birth Certificate Is Delayed?

Some states and counties may take several weeks to issue a certified birth certificate. Do not simply wait for it to arrive without contacting the ID card office.

  1. Contact the ID card office early. Ask whether temporary or interim birth documentation can be accepted.
  2. Keep copies of all paperwork. Retain hospital records, requests, receipts, and confirmation numbers.
  3. Continue following up. Document the dates and names of offices contacted.
  4. Complete registration as soon as acceptable documentation is available.

Requirements may vary by office and circumstance. Confirm acceptable documents directly with the ID card office before traveling.

Newborn Enrollment Contacts

Who to contact for newborn enrollment
Need Contact Number or Link
DEERS registration ID Card Office Find an ID Card Office
TRICARE enrollment by phone TriWest 1-888-874-9378
TRICARE enrollment online milConnect Manage Health Benefits
Schedule the baby's first appointment WACH Appointment Line 866-957-9224
After-hours health guidance Nurse Advice Line 800-874-2273, Option 1

More Information

Keep Your Information Current

Changes in address, marital status, dependents, duty status, or other family information may affect TRICARE eligibility, enrollment, PCM assignment, referrals, and claims.

Review your information regularly through milConnect and contact an ID card office when documentation is required.

Page last reviewed: July 2026

Back to Quick Links

Contact Us

Phone

Appointment Line

866-957-9224 (WACH)

TRICARE Enrollments & Referrals

TriWest Portal or Call 1-888-TRIWEST

WACH Enrollment/PCM Changes
MilConnect or Call 1-888-TRIWEST 
Dependent Prime Travel Liaison

Visit Webpage

Patient Ambassadors

See List

WACH Front Desk/AOD

760-383-5155

Don't forget to keep your family's information up to date in DEERS!