Fort Irwin  Health

Medical care services are offered through Weed Army Community Hospital, which offers modern facilities with outstanding care. Specialty care, however, is very limited. 

• Patient Appointing Call Center -- 866-460-5305 (Primary) or 760-383-5155 (alternate)
• After Hours Nurse Triage Line -- 866-835-1647

When you move, TRICARE moves with you. It's there before, during and when you get to your next duty station. It's available worldwide. There are steps you need to take to make sure changes to your TRICARE coverage go smoothly. With your move, you may have to use a different TRICARE option.

Visit Moving to learn more.

Before you move, you should take care of any routine medical needs, including immunizations, and fill your prescriptions so you have enough while traveling. If you need to get care during your move, visit Getting Care When Traveling to learn what to do.

Filling prescriptions while traveling

You should get all prescriptions refilled before traveling. But if you run out of a prescription drug while traveling, visit Filling Prescriptions When Traveling.

Getting dental care while traveling

Getting dental care while traveling depends on your location and whether you are a service member or family member.

• If you are an active-duty service member within the United States or in U.S. territories, and near a military installation, you may be able to get emergency dental care at the dental treatment facility, or DTF, if available. If not, contact the active duty dental care program before you see a dentist and tell the contractor about your move. You will need to get an authorization before you see a dentist. The Active Duty Dental Care Program will work with you, so you can get care from a local network dentist.
• If you are an active-duty service member at an overseas location, you can call the overseas regional call center to get authorization before you see a civilian dentist.
• If you are an active-duty family member within the United States, in U.S. territories or at an overseas location, you can find out if any nearby military dental treatment facility treats active-duty family members. If you're enrolled in the TRICARE dental program, call the TRICARE dental program contractor or visit their website to find a provider. You will need to get an authorization before you see the dentist.

With permanent change of station orders, ask for a copy of your medical and dental records from your military treatment facility, or MTF, records section and the dental treatment facility, or DTF. Do this at least one month before your permanent change of station date. The MTF should also transfer a copy of your record and any family records to your new duty station or you may be able to hand carry them to your new duty station.

If you want someone else to be able to get medical or dental information on you or your family while you are moving, you need to complete a DD Form 2870, "Authorization for Disclosure of Medical or Dental Information."

For more information on getting copies of medical records, visit Request Copies of Medical Records.

Medical Care

Medical care services are offered through Weed Army Community Hospital, which offers modern facilities with outstanding care. Specialty care, however, is very limited.

Weed Army Community Hospital (WACH) has an inpatient bed capacity of 16. There is no Intensive Care Unit so all patients who require intensive care are stabilized and transported to nearby civilian or military hospitals. WACH does elective outpatient and minor emergency surgery. Pharmacy, laboratory and x-ray services are available.

The WACH military and civilian medical staff consists of three Family Practitioners, two Nurse Practitioner, three Pediatricians, two Internist, three Physician Assistants, three Obstetricians, one General Surgeon, two Orthopedic Surgeons (one deployed), one Regimental Surgeon, two Optometrists, one Physical Therapist, five Psychologists (one deployed), four Psychiatrists, one Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners and nine Social Workers.

Family members are encouraged to select Weed Army Community Hospital as their choice of care. WACH utilizes Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH). This will allow them to develop a more effective relationship with the medical staff.

Emergency Care -- There is 24-hour emergency and urgent care service available.

Special Needs -- If family members are enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, a telephone call to ensure that services are available would be appropriate.

Access to Your Care

The United States Army Medical Department Activity (MEDDAC) stands ready 24 hours a day to support the National Training Center mission and military families who live here. Comprehensive health and preventive medicine services are provided to the active duty personnel, both assigned and rotational, their family members, and retirees.

Weed Army Community Hospital is located in Bldg 166, Inner Loop St. Fort Irwin, CA 92310. They can be reached by calling 1-866-957-9224. Dr. Mary E. Walker Center is located in Bldg 170.

To make an appointment with your Primary Care Manager, call Central Appointments, 1-866-957-9224 Monday-Friday, 7:00am- 4:00pm. Select Option 2 to make an appointment, Select Option 1 to make an appointment at the Dr. Mary Walker E. Center. If you need a follow- up appointment, the clinic must provide you an appointment before you leave the clinic. You can also make a Primary Care appointment via the internet 24 hours a day/7 days a week at TRICARE Online.

Customer Service Representative -- Every Military Treatment Facility (MTF) has a Customer Service Representative or Patient Advocate who is there to assist you with MTF issues, medical care concerns, appointment questions, access standards.

Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator (BCAC) -- BCACs are ready to assist you with any TRICARE questions you may have and assist you with information about your healthcare benefits. 

Debt Collection Assistance Officer (DCAO)--DCAO’s are ready to assist you with debt collection issues due to unpaid TRICARE claims.

Customer Service Representative, BCAC & DCAO can be reached at 760-380-4876.

Patient Responsibilities:

• Be knowledgeable about your TRICARE coverage and program options.
• Be involved in your health care decisions by actively working with your primary care manager and clearly communicating your wants and needs.
• Show respect for other patients and health care workers.
• NO SHOW- Every appointment missed prevents other patients from receiving timely care. Please take time to cancel your appointment if you are not able to make it.

TRICARE Regional Contractor Toll-Free: 1- 888-874-9378.

Dental Care

Active duty Soldiers receive full dental care through Shuttleworth Dental Clinic. Soldiers should consider enrolling family members in the TRICARE Dental Plan, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife) as care for family members at Shuttleworth is limited.