Health Care

The 425 Air Base Squadron Medical Aid Station has very limited services for healthy active-duty members and are provided by two independent duty medical technicians and one Army medic NCOIC. Medical needs requiring a physician are referred to local Turkish physicians or medevac’d to a medical treatment facility in theater. Emergency care is provided by the host nation emergency medical system. Local Turkish hospitals provide all after-hours, weekend, emergent and in-patient care.

There is no on-base dental care. You will be referred to an international TRICARE-approved local dentist.

When you move, TRICARE moves with you. No matter where you go in the world, TRICARE is there before, during and when you get to your next duty station.

There are steps you need to take to make sure changes to your TRICARE coverage go smoothly. Understand that when you move, you may have to use a different TRICARE option. Visit TRICARE 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 care during your move, visit TRICARE Getting Care When Traveling to learn what to do.

Filling prescriptions while traveling

You should refill prescriptions before traveling. But if you run out of a prescription drug while traveling, visit TRICARE 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 TRICARE 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, call the TRICARE 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 and the dental treatment facility. Do this at least one month before your PCS 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 TRICARE Request Copies of Medical Records.

Medical Care

The 425 Air Base Station Medical Aid Station has very limited services for active-duty members. The services are provided by two independent duty medical technicians. Only healthy active duty, medically cleared from previous assignment with no critical or significant medical problems, are allowed to make a permanent change of station to Izmir.

Emergency care is provided by the host nation emergency medical system. A translator is available at all times (24 hours a day, seven days a week) to assist with navigation of the facility and any gaps in communication. Local Turkish hospitals provide all after-hours, weekend, emergent and in-patient care.

Medical services that we cannot provide adequate care for include:

• Psychological conditions requiring the services of a psychologist
• Any chronic medical conditions requiring recurrent physician care, such as heart disease, asthma, diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, seizure disorder, endocrine issues, sexual preference modification, neurological issues, or any other unstable medical condition
• Elective medical care
• Retirement medical exams and administrative processes. If you plan to retire from Izmir please note that this will require a medical TDY to another facility in Europe/Asia.

Prescriptions

If you require long-term use of a prescription medication (i.e. blood pressure medication,       birth control medication, thyroid medication, seasonal allergy medication, ETC…) Request a several month supply from your local PCM before departure and have your sponsor set up your PSC mailbox so that you may have future medication refills sent to you via express-scripts. Once your PSC mailbox is set up go to: www.express-scripts.com/tricare to register. Medications take several weeks to arrive. Please plan/request refills accordingly.

Screening

Preventive screening (IMR/UMR/annual medical exams) should be completed before arrival. Members should make every attempt to be IMR/UMR green for every component (PHA, dental, labs, immunizations, hearing conservation program, occupational exams, optometry, PAP/mammograms) to last the duration of tour in Izmir. This active-screening process reduces dependency on the host nation health care system. However, annual exams/ care can be coordinated case by case by the gaining unit or TRICARE

All medical problems should be thoroughly treated and all orthopedic or surgical repairs with any required physical therapy must be completed before coming to Izmir.

Respiratory problems are significantly worsened during the winter months because the air is polluted with coal and oil smoke since these are the primary fuels used to heat most of the buildings. These two irritants cause very serious difficulties for those who have any history of upper respiratory problems and nasal allergies.

Health Records

Before you sign out of your base, be sure to pick up your medical and dental records and hand carry to Izmir. Do not ship your records with your household baggage/TMO. X-ray films can either be mailed from your radiology department or hand carried. Also, bring copies of all immunizations and military readiness labs such as blood type, DNA, G6PD and sickle cell trait.

Dental Care

Routine dental care is provided by TRICARE network local-approved dentists to all active duty. All dental care is provided on the economy with annual professional oversight provided by TRICARE. However, you should make every attempt to complete annual exams/dental care before departure to Izmir.