Managed Care at Weed Army Community Hospital

Quick-Glance Summary

The Managed Care Division at Weed Army Community Hospital (WACH) helps you get the healthcare you need, whether it is here at Fort Irwin or with a provider in the community. We coordinate your TRICARE benefits, manage referrals for specialty care, and administer the travel reimbursement program for eligible beneficiaries who must travel for appointments.

 

  • We work with TriWest Healthcare Alliance, your TRICARE West Region managed care support contractor, to connect you with covered services when WACH cannot provide them on post.

What Do You Need Help With?

(Web implementation note: Format as clickable card navigation tiles with icons)
  • Enroll in TRICARE at Fort Irwin — New to the installation? Start here.
  • Referral for Specialty Care — Need to see a specialist off post? Learn what is required.
  • Change Your Primary Care Manager (PCM) — Want a different doctor? Here is how.
  • File for Prime Dependent Travel Reimbursement — Traveled 75+ miles for care? You may qualify.
  • Register a Newborn — Had a baby? You have 90 days to secure their coverage.
  • Space Available Care — Not enrolled in Prime at WACH? You may still receive care here.
  • TriWest Self-Service Portal — Check referrals, claims, and manage your care online.
  • Urgent or Emergency Care — Know where to go and who to call.
  • Virtual Care & Telehealth — Get care without leaving Fort Irwin.
  • Transitioning to Retirement — Separating soon? Keep your TRICARE coverage.
  • Services Available at WACH — See what we offer in-house vs. off-post.

Enroll in TRICARE at Fort Irwin

What It Is

TRICARE enrollment assigns you to a Primary Care Manager (PCM), your main doctor for all routine care. Your PCM is your starting point for referrals to specialists.

Who Qualifies

  • Active duty service members (automatically enrolled at their assigned MTF)
  • Active duty family members
  • Retirees and their families (within the catchment area)
  • Other TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries residing within 100 miles of Fort Irwin

How to Enroll (Step by Step)

  1. Make sure you are registered in DEERS. All family members must be in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System before enrolling in TRICARE. Visit the nearest ID card office or go to milConnect.
  2. Choose your enrollment method:
    • Online: Go to milConnect and select "Manage Health Benefits" (Beneficiary Web Enrollment).
    • By phone: Call TriWest at 1-888-TRIWEST (1-888-874-9378).
  3. Confirm your residential address is current and within 100 miles of Fort Irwin. Active duty members: confirm your UIC is correct.
  4. You will receive a PCM assignment based on your location, MTF capacity, and TRICARE access standards.

Required Documents

  • Valid military ID (CAC or dependent ID)
  • Current residential address
  • Sponsor's Social Security Number
  • UIC (active duty only)

Important Links

 

Register a Newborn

What You Need to Know

You must register your newborn in DEERS within 90 days of birth (for stateside births) to keep their TRICARE coverage. If you miss this deadline, your child will lose eligibility on day 91, and claims will be denied.

Step by Step

  1. Register in DEERS — Bring a certified birth certificate and sponsor's ID to the nearest ID card office.
  2. Enroll in TRICARE Prime — Your newborn may not automatically be enrolled. After DEERS registration:
    • Go to milConnect and select "Manage Health Benefits," OR
    • Call TriWest at 1-888-TRIWEST (1-888-874-9378)
  3. Schedule your newborn's first well-child visit with your assigned PCM.

Required Documents

  • Certified birth certificate
  • Sponsor's military ID (CAC)
  • Sponsor's Social Security Number

Do Not Wait

The 90-day clock starts at birth, not when you receive the birth certificate. Start the process as soon as possible.

 

Referrals for Specialty Care

What Changed on July 1, 2025

The TRICARE referral waiver has ended. As of July 1, 2025, TRICARE Prime beneficiaries once again need a referral from their PCM before seeing a specialist outside the MTF. If you see a specialist without a referral, you may be responsible for the full cost of care under the Point-of-Service option.

Who Needs a Referral

Your TRICARE Plan Referral Required?
Prime (Active Duty) Yes — for ALL care outside the MTF
Prime (Family Members) Yes — for specialty care outside the MTF
Select No (except Applied Behavior Analysis/ABA)
TRICARE For Life No
TRICARE Reserve Select No
TRICARE Young Adult No

What Does NOT Require a Referral (Prime Family Members, Network Only)

  • Preventive care
  • Outpatient mental health (therapy, medication management, telehealth)
  • Emergency care

Mental Health Services That DO Require Pre-Authorization

Even without a referral, some mental health services require TriWest pre-authorization:
  • Psychoanalysis
  • Psychological testing
  • Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
  • Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)
  • Inpatient care (non-emergency)
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
  • Spravato
  • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
  • Residential Treatment Centers (RTC)
  • Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP)
  • Substance Use Disorder Residential Facilities (SUDRF)

 

Emergency inpatient mental health or substance use admissions do NOT require pre-authorization, but you must notify TriWest within 24-72 hours.

How the Referral Process Works

  1. See your PCM — Your Primary Care Manager evaluates your needs and determines if specialty care is required.
  2. PCM submits referral — If approved, your PCM's office submits the referral electronically.
  3. TriWest processes the referral — TriWest checks if the MTF can provide the service first (MTF Optimization). If not, they authorize a network provider.
  4. You receive authorization — You will be notified of your approved provider and appointment details.
  5. Attend your appointment — Bring your military ID and referral authorization number.

Urgent vs. Routine Referral Timelines

  • Routine referrals: Processed per published TriWest and DHA access-to-care standards
  • Urgent referrals: Processed per published TriWest and DHA access-to-care standards (expedited)
  • Emergency care: No referral needed. Seek care immediately. Notify TriWest after.

Contact for Referral Questions

 

Change Your Primary Care Manager (PCM)

How to Change Your PCM

PCM changes are handled through TriWest or milConnect. You do not need to come to the Managed Care Division in person.

 

Option 1 — Online (Fastest)
  1. Go to milConnect
  2. Log in with your DS Logon or CAC
  3. Select "Manage Health Benefits"
  4. Follow the prompts to request a PCM change

 

Option 2 — By Phone
  1. Call TriWest at 1-888-TRIWEST (1-888-874-9378)
  2. Request a PCM change
  3. Have your military ID and current address ready

Important Note for JVTMC Patients

If you are assigned to Javier Villanueva Troop Medical Clinic (JVTMC), you must remain with your regimental provider. If you need assistance or have a special circumstance, contact the Managed Care Division at 760-383-5482.

How to Check Who Your Current PCM Is

  1. Go to MHS Genesis Patient Portal (DS Logon required)
  2. Once logged in, select "View Patient Information/PCM" from the left menu
  3. Scroll to the bottom under "Medical Contacts" — your PCM is listed there
  4. For dependents: use the drop-down menu at the top under "Patient Information" to select another family member

 

TRICARE Prime Travel Benefit

What It Is

If you are a non-active-duty TRICARE Prime enrollee and your PCM refers you to a specialist more than 75 miles away, TRICARE may reimburse your travel expenses (mileage, lodging, meals).

 

Active duty service members: Your unit is responsible for processing travel reimbursement for off-post medical appointments. Contact your unit S1/admin section.

Who Qualifies

You must meet ALL of these conditions:
  • You are a non-active-duty TRICARE Prime enrollee
  • You are assigned to a PCM in the United States (and within the WACH catchment area for WACH to process)
  • Your PCM referred you for non-emergency, medically necessary care covered by TRICARE
  • The specialty provider is more than 75 miles (one way) from your PCM's office
  • No suitable military, network, or non-network TRICARE provider is available within 75 miles

What Is Covered

  • Mileage (at the current government rate)
  • Lodging
  • Meals
  • Approved Non-Medical Attendant (NMA) travel (if applicable)

How to File

  1. Keep all itemized receipts — including expenses under $75.00
  2. Submit your claim via email to the Managed Care Division: usarmy.irwin.medcom-wach.mbx.prime-travel-benefit-program@health.mil
  3. Include: copies of your referral authorization, itemized receipts, and travel dates

Non-Medical Attendant (NMA) Travel

An NMA (parent, spouse, family member age 21+, or legal guardian) may also be reimbursed if:
  • The patient's trip qualifies for the Prime Travel Benefit
  • The NMA travels with the patient
  • If the patient is 18+, the referring or treating provider must verify in writing that the NMA is medically necessary

 

Note: TRICARE will not reimburse the same expense twice. Shared costs (lodging, rental car) are split, not doubled.

More Information

 

Space Available Care at WACH

What It Is

Space available care means that TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries who are not enrolled in TRICARE Prime at WACH may still receive care here when appointment slots are not already booked by priority patients. This applies to both primary care and specialty care services.

 

Space available care is not guaranteed. Appointment availability depends on current clinic staffing, patient volume, and operational requirements.

Priority for Appointments at WACH

Military hospitals and clinics see patients in this priority order:

 

  1. Active duty service members
  2. Beneficiaries enrolled in TRICARE Prime at WACH
  3. Beneficiaries enrolled in TRICARE Young Adult-Prime
  4. Beneficiaries enrolled in TRICARE Plus at WACH
  5. All others (space available only)

Who Receives Care on a Space Available Basis

You may be eligible for space available care if you are TRICARE-eligible but not enrolled in TRICARE Prime at WACH. This commonly includes:
  • Military retirees enrolled in TRICARE Select
  • TRICARE For Life beneficiaries
  • TRICARE Reserve Select or Retired Reserve beneficiaries
  • Dependent parents or parents-in-law (ID card will say "direct care only" on the back)
  • Family members visiting Fort Irwin who are enrolled at another MTF

What You Should Know

  • Space available appointments are first-come, first-served after priority patients are scheduled
  • Do not rely on space available care as your only source of healthcare. Establish a civilian provider as a backup
  • The WACH pharmacy is available to all TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries regardless of enrollment status
  • If you need specialty care and are not a Prime enrollee at WACH, you are not guaranteed access to MTF specialty clinics

TRICARE Plus at WACH

TRICARE Plus is a primary care program that some MTFs offer to give non-Prime beneficiaries prioritized access to primary care appointments.

 

WACH is not currently open to TRICARE Plus enrollment. As a small MTF with limited capacity, WACH must prioritize active duty service members and their families. We do not have the staffing to accept TRICARE Plus enrollees at this time.

 

If you are not enrolled in TRICARE Prime at WACH, you may still receive care on a space available basis (see above), but you cannot enroll in TRICARE Plus here.

 

For general information about the TRICARE Plus program at other facilities, visit tricare.mil/Plus.

Who Can Enroll in TRICARE Plus

At facilities where TRICARE Plus is offered, eligible beneficiaries include:
  • TRICARE-eligible individuals NOT enrolled in TRICARE Prime, the US Family Health Plan, or a civilian/Medicare HMO
  • Dependent parents or parents-in-law

 

Again, WACH is not accepting TRICARE Plus enrollments at this time.

How to Request Space Available Care

  1. Call the WACH Appointment Line: 866-957-9224
  2. Let them know you are requesting a space available appointment
  3. If an appointment is available, you will be scheduled
  4. Bring your valid military ID card to your appointment

More Information

 

TriWest Self-Service Portal

Manage Your Care Online

The TriWest Beneficiary Portal is a free self-service tool where you can manage many aspects of your TRICARE benefit without calling anyone. This is separate from the MHS Genesis Patient Portal.

 

Register at: tricare-bene.triwest.com

What You Can Do on the Portal

  • View referral and authorization status — See where your referral is in the process
  • Check claim status — Track claims and see payment details
  • Make payments — Pay any cost-shares or bills
  • Request care coordination — Ask for help finding a provider or managing a complex care situation
  • Find network providers — Search for TRICARE-authorized specialists near you
  • View educational resources — TRICARE plan guides, benefit explanations, and more

Who Should Create an Account

All TRICARE West Region beneficiaries. If you have TRICARE Prime, Select, TFL, TRS, TYA, or TRR and live in the West Region, you can (and should) create an account. It takes about 5 minutes to register.

TriWest Portal vs. MHS Genesis

I Want To... Use This Portal
Check referral/authorization status TriWest Portal
View lab results MHS Genesis
Message my care team at WACH MHS Genesis
Check claim/payment status TriWest Portal
Request prescription refill MHS Genesis
Find a network provider TriWest Portal
View my PCM assignment MHS Genesis
Change my PCM or enrollment milConnect

 

Urgent or Emergency Care — Know Where to Go

When to Use Each Option

Understanding when to go to the ER, call the Nurse Advice Line, or see your PCM can save you time, money, and stress.

 

Situation Where to Go
Life-threatening emergency (chest pain, severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, severe allergic reaction) Call 911 or go to the nearest ER immediately. No referral needed.
Urgent but not life-threatening (high fever, sprains, cuts needing stitches, ear infections, UTI symptoms) Call the Nurse Advice Line first: 800-TRICARE (874-2273), Option 1
After-hours health question or unsure if you need care Call the Nurse Advice Line: 800-TRICARE (874-2273), Option 1
Non-urgent medical need during duty hours Call WACH Appointment Line: 866-957-9224

Military Health System Nurse Advice Line

The Nurse Advice Line is available 24/7 at no cost to all TRICARE beneficiaries in the U.S.

 

Call: 800-TRICARE (874-2273), Option 1

 

A registered nurse can:
  • Help you decide if you need emergency care, urgent care, or can wait for a regular appointment
  • Provide health advice for symptoms
  • Help you find care options near you
  • Schedule a next-day appointment at your MTF (when available)

 

You can also access the Nurse Advice Line via web chat or video chat at MHSNurseAdviceLine.com.

WACH Emergency Room

WACH has a 24/7 emergency room for life-threatening emergencies. For non-life-threatening urgent needs after duty hours, call the Nurse Advice Line first for guidance.

Important Reminders

  • No referral is needed for emergency care. Seek care immediately if you believe your life or health is at serious risk.
  • Notify TriWest within 24-72 hours if you are admitted to a civilian hospital for emergency care.
  • Active duty: If you receive urgent/emergency care off-post, notify your chain of command and follow up with your PCM.

 

Virtual Care and Telehealth

Get Care Without Leaving Fort Irwin

Fort Irwin is remote. Telehealth and virtual care options can save you hours of driving for many types of visits.

Available Virtual Care Options

1. MHS Video Connect (Through Your WACH Provider)

 

Your PCM or specialist at WACH may offer virtual appointments for follow-ups, medication management, and certain evaluations. Ask your provider or call the appointment line (866-957-9224) to see if your visit qualifies for telehealth.

 

2. Nurse Advice Line (24/7)

 

Not technically telehealth, but the Nurse Advice Line offers registered nurse consultations by phone, web chat, or video chat at any time. Call 800-TRICARE (874-2273), Option 1, or visit MHSNurseAdviceLine.com.

 

3. Network Telehealth Providers (via TriWest)

 

Many network providers offer virtual visits for specialty care, mental health, and primary care. If your referral is to a network provider, ask if telehealth is an option. This can be especially helpful for:
  • Mental health therapy and medication management
  • Dermatology follow-ups
  • Nutrition counseling
  • Chronic disease management

 

4. Outpatient Mental Health (No Referral Needed)

 

TRICARE Prime family members can access outpatient mental health services (therapy, medication management, telehealth) in-network without a referral. Many behavioral health providers offer virtual-only sessions.

How to Access Virtual Care

  1. For WACH providers: Call the appointment line at 866-957-9224 and ask if your visit can be done virtually
  2. For network providers: Check with TriWest or your referred provider about telehealth availability
  3. For the Nurse Advice Line: Call 800-TRICARE (874-2273), Option 1, or visit MHSNurseAdviceLine.com

 

Transitioning to Retirement — Keep Your TRICARE Coverage

What Happens When You Retire

When you separate or retire from active duty, your TRICARE Prime active duty coverage ends on your last day of service. You must take action to maintain healthcare coverage for yourself and your family.

Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP)

If you qualify, TAMP provides 180 days of transitional healthcare benefits after your active duty TRICARE coverage ends. During TAMP, you and your family can enroll in:
  • TRICARE Prime (if available in your area)
  • TRICARE Select
  • US Family Health Plan (in designated areas)

 

TAMP eligibility includes service members who are:
  • Involuntarily separated with an honorable discharge
  • Separating from active duty after an involuntary retention or recall
  • Separating following a voluntary agreement to stay on active duty for less than one year under a Sole Survivorship discharge
  • Retiring from active duty (including Temporary Early Retirement Authority)

After TAMP: 90-Day Enrollment Window

You have 90 days from your separation date or TAMP end date to enroll in a retiree TRICARE plan without a gap in coverage. Do not wait until day 89.

 

To enroll as a retiree:
  • Online: milConnect — select "Manage Health Benefits"
  • By phone: Call TriWest at 1-888-TRIWEST (1-888-874-9378)

Retirement Checklist

  • Get new Uniformed Services ID cards for yourself and all dependents (retiree cards replace active duty cards)
  • Enroll in a TRICARE retiree plan (Prime or Select) within 90 days
  • If you want dental and/or vision coverage, enroll within 60 days of retirement through TRICARE Dental/Vision
  • Update your address in DEERS
  • Register with the MTF pharmacy if you plan to continue using it (retirees can still use the WACH pharmacy)
  • Understand your new cost-shares (retiree costs differ from active duty)

Key Differences After Retirement

  • You will have enrollment fees, copays, and/or cost-shares depending on your plan
  • You are no longer automatically enrolled at your MTF; you must choose a plan
  • You can still receive care at WACH, but active duty and their families have appointment priority
  • When you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Parts A & B, you transition to TRICARE For Life

More Information

 

Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and Certificates of Medical Necessity

What Is DME?

Durable Medical Equipment includes items prescribed by your provider for long-term medical use, such as:
  • Wheelchairs and walkers
  • CPAP machines
  • Hospital beds
  • Prosthetic devices
  • Braces and orthotic devices
  • Oxygen equipment
  • Blood glucose monitors

How to Get DME Through TRICARE

  1. Your provider determines you need DME and documents the medical necessity
  2. A Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN) is completed by your provider
  3. The referral is submitted through your PCM's office to TriWest
  4. TriWest authorizes the equipment and connects you with an approved DME supplier
  5. You receive the equipment from the authorized supplier

What You Need to Know

  • DME requires a referral and prior authorization through TriWest
  • Your provider must complete a Certificate of Medical Necessity
  • TriWest will locate a network DME supplier; using a non-network supplier may result in higher costs
  • Some items may require rental vs. purchase approval
  • Replacement or repair of existing DME also requires authorization

Questions About DME

Contact TriWest at 1-888-TRIWEST (1-888-874-9378) for DME authorization status, supplier questions, or to report issues with equipment.

 

Services Available at WACH vs. Off-Post

What WACH Provides In-House

Weed Army Community Hospital offers the following services on-post at Fort Irwin. For specialty services not listed below, your PCM will submit a referral to TriWest for care with a network provider in the community.

 

Primary Care
  • Family Medicine (WACH and JVTMC)
  • Immunizations
  • Flight Clinic and Physical Exams

 

Hospital Care and Surgery
  • General Surgery
  • Anesthesiology
  • Operating Room
  • Surgical Ward / Inpatient Care

 

Urgent and Emergency Care
  • 24/7 Emergency Room

 

Mental Health and Substance Abuse
  • Outpatient Mental Health
  • Embedded Behavioral Health (for active duty)
  • Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP)

 

Diagnostic Services
  • Laboratory (blood work, urinalysis, etc.)
  • Radiology (X-ray, MRI, CT scan, imaging)

 

Specialty Care (Limited)
  • Physical Therapy / Orthopedic Department
  • Case Management

 

Dental
  • Active duty dental care (family member dental is through TRICARE Dental Program with a civilian provider)

 

Pharmacy
  • Outpatient pharmacy (open to all TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries)
  • Prescription refills via MHS Genesis Patient Portal

 

Vision
  • Optometry services

 

Women's Health and Pregnancy
  • Women's Health Clinic
  • Mother-Baby Unit (labor, delivery, postpartum)

 

Other Services
  • Army Family Advocacy Program (AFAP)
  • Nutrition Care
  • Oasis Cafe

What Requires a Referral to Off-Post Providers

Because WACH is a small community hospital, many specialty services are only available through network providers in the community (typically in Barstow, Victorville, San Bernardino, or further). Common services that require off-post referral include:
  • Cardiology
  • Dermatology
  • Gastroenterology
  • ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat)
  • Neurology
  • Oncology / Hematology
  • Urology
  • Endocrinology
  • Pulmonology
  • Advanced imaging (MRI, CT scan) — available at WACH for some studies; complex imaging may require off-post referral
  • Pediatric subspecialties
  • Allergy/Immunology

 

Your PCM will coordinate these referrals. See the Referrals section above for how the process works.

 

Quality, Safety, and Privacy

Quality and Safety Reports

WACH participates in the Military Health System's quality and safety reporting program. View our performance data and patient safety information at the MHS Compare Tool.

MHS Notice of Privacy Practices

Your medical information is protected under federal law. The Military Health System's Notice of Privacy Practices explains how your health information may be used and disclosed, and how you can access your own records.

Patient Rights and Responsibilities

As a patient at WACH, you have the right to:
  • Receive respectful, high-quality care regardless of race, religion, gender, or status
  • Be informed about your diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis
  • Participate in decisions about your care
  • Access your medical records
  • File a complaint or compliment through the Patient Advocate (760-383-5099)

 

You have the responsibility to:
  • Treat staff with respect
  • Provide accurate health information
  • Follow your treatment plan or inform your provider if you cannot
  • Keep scheduled appointments or cancel in advance

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

Referrals

Q1: Do I need a referral to see a specialist?
If you have TRICARE Prime, yes. As of July 1, 2025, the referral waiver has ended and you need a referral from your PCM for specialty care outside the MTF. If you have TRICARE Select, TFL, TRS, or TYA, you do not need a referral (except for ABA services).

 

Q2: What happens if I see a specialist without a referral?
You may be billed under the Point-of-Service option, which means significantly higher out-of-pocket costs. Always get a referral first.

 

Q3: How long does a routine referral take?
Referrals are processed per published TriWest and DHA access-to-care standards. Urgent referrals are expedited. If you have not heard back within a reasonable timeframe, call TriWest at 1-888-TRIWEST or check your status on the TriWest Beneficiary Portal.

 

Q4: Can I choose which specialist I see?
TriWest assigns providers based on availability, location, and network status. You can express a preference, but availability may limit options. The MTF is always checked first (MTF Optimization).

 

Q5: Do I need a referral for mental health care?
No, for routine outpatient mental health (therapy, medication management, telehealth) in-network, you do not need a referral. However, some intensive services (inpatient, IOP, PHP, ABA, TMS, etc.) require TriWest pre-authorization.

PCM Changes

Q6: How do I change my PCM?
Call TriWest at 1-888-TRIWEST or log in to milConnect and select "Manage Health Benefits." You do NOT need to visit the Managed Care Division in person.

 

Q7: Can I pick any doctor at WACH as my PCM?
PCM assignments are based on availability and your location. You can request a specific provider, but assignment depends on capacity.

 

Q8: I am at JVTMC. Can I change my PCM?
Soldiers assigned to JVTMC must remain with their regimental provider. If you have a special circumstance, contact the Managed Care Division for assistance.

Enrollment

Q9: I just PCS'd to Fort Irwin. What do I do for healthcare?
Ensure your address is updated in DEERS, then enroll in TRICARE Prime through milConnect or by calling TriWest at 1-888-TRIWEST. Your PCM will be assigned based on your location and availability.

 

Q10: How do I enroll my newborn?
Register your newborn in DEERS within 90 days of birth using a certified birth certificate. Then enroll them in TRICARE Prime via milConnect or by calling TriWest. Do not wait for the birth certificate to arrive — start the process early.

 

Q11: What is the WACH catchment area?
The WACH Health Service Area includes parts of California (Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties), all of Idaho (including Gowen Field), and all of Nevada. If you live outside this area, you may be redirected per MEDCOM Reg 40-21.

Travel Benefit

Q12: Do I qualify for travel reimbursement?
You may qualify if you are a non-active-duty TRICARE Prime enrollee, your PCM referred you to a specialist more than 75 miles from the PCM's office, and no closer provider was available. Active duty members: contact your unit for travel processing.

 

Q13: What receipts do I need to save?
Keep ALL itemized receipts, even for purchases under $75.00. This includes gas, meals, lodging, tolls, and parking.

Space Available Care

Q18: Can I get care at WACH if I am not enrolled in TRICARE Prime here?
Yes, but only on a space available basis. Active duty and TRICARE Prime enrollees are seen first. If appointment slots remain open, space available patients may be scheduled. This is not guaranteed.

 

Q19: What is TRICARE Plus and does WACH offer it?
TRICARE Plus is a program that gives non-Prime beneficiaries prioritized access to primary care at the MTF. However, WACH is not currently accepting TRICARE Plus enrollments due to limited capacity and the need to prioritize active duty personnel.

 

Q20: Can I use the WACH pharmacy if I am not enrolled here?
Yes. The MTF pharmacy is available to all TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries regardless of your enrollment status or plan type.

MHS Genesis and Online Tools

Q14: How do I check my referral status online?
Log in to the MHS Genesis Patient Portal at myaccess.dmdc.osd.mil using your DS Logon. Navigate to your referrals section to view status.

 

Q15: How do I find out who my PCM is?
Log in to the MHS Genesis Patient Portal. Select "View Patient Information/PCM" from the left menu. Your PCM is listed at the bottom under "Medical Contacts."

 

Q16: Should I call TriWest or the WACH Managed Care Division?
  • Call TriWest (1-888-TRIWEST) for: enrollment changes, PCM changes, referral authorizations, referral status, claims questions, finding a network provider
  • Email WACH Managed Care for: travel benefit claims (usarmy.irwin.medcom-wach.mbx.prime-travel-benefit-program@health.mil)
  • Call 760-383-5482 for: JVTMC PCM special circumstances
  • Call 760-383-5099 for: Patient Advocate (complaints, compliments, care concerns)

 

Q17: What is milConnect and what can I do there?
milConnect is the DoD self-service website where you can manage your health benefits, update DEERS information, change your PCM, and enroll in TRICARE. Visit milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil.

 

Before You Call — Checklist

Have these items ready before you contact us or TriWest. This will save you time:
  • Your military ID number (or sponsor's)
  • Sponsor's full name and Social Security Number
  • Your current residential address
  • Your PCM's name (check MHS Genesis if unsure)
  • Your TRICARE plan type (Prime, Select, TFL, etc.)
  • If calling about a referral: the name of the specialist or service needed
  • If calling about travel: itemized receipts, referral authorization number, and travel dates
  • If enrolling a newborn: certified birth certificate and sponsor's ID
  • A pen and paper to write down reference numbers

 

Contact Us

 
I Need Help With... Who to Contact Phone / Link
Scheduling an appointment WACH Appointment Line 866-957-9224
Enrollment or PCM change TriWest 1-888-TRIWEST (1-888-874-9378)
Enrollment or PCM change (online) milConnect milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil
Referral authorization or status TriWest 1-888-TRIWEST (1-888-874-9378)
Travel benefit claims WACH Managed Care (email only) usarmy.irwin.medcom-wach.mbx.prime-travel-benefit-program@health.mil
JVTMC PCM questions WACH Managed Care 760-383-5482
Patient Advocate WACH Patient Advocate 760-383-5099
TRICARE benefits questions TriWest 1-888-TRIWEST (1-888-874-9378)
After-hours urgent care guidance Nurse Advice Line 800-TRICARE (874-2273), Option 1
MHS Genesis / Patient Portal Online myaccess.dmdc.osd.mil
TriWest Self-Service Portal Online tricare-bene.triwest.com
DEERS updates milConnect milconnect.dmdc.osd.mil

 

WACH Managed Care Division

Contact Us

WACH Managed Care Division

  • Location: Building 390, Room 3B168, Weed Army Community Hospital, Fort Irwin, CA 92310
  • Hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1530 (Closed for lunch 1130-1300)
    • Closed Every 2nd and 4th Thursday for Training
    • Closed on all federal holidays

 

Helpful Links and Resources

 

Keep Your Information Current

Keep your family's information up to date in DEERS. Changes in address, marital status, or family members can affect your TRICARE eligibility and PCM assignment. Update at milConnect or visit your nearest ID card office.
 
Don't forget to keep your family's information up to date in DEERS!