Health Care

Because Kalkar is a geographically separated unit, we do not have the facilities normally found at larger bases. However, the German doctors and hospitals available to us fill virtually every medical need. Some special medical conditions, however, may not be adequately supported locally. German doctors have different methods and standards of record keeping and communicating with their patients than Air Force doctors do. If a family member is currently enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, you should work with your current base's program coordinators to determine if you will be able to bring that family member to Kalkar. They can check with our TRICARE advisor on the availability of medical services. You can also contact the TRICARE advisor directly at DSN 314-452-8765, commercial +49 (0)6565-618765, or via email.

If you have any questions or concerns about special medical needs let your sponsor know right away.

We are supported by excellent local German doctors and hospitals. The nearest US medical facilities are the USAF clinics at Geilenkirchen (75 miles) and Spangdahlem AB (160 miles).

As NATO active duty members you can also receive medical treatment on the von-Seydlitz-Kaserne Kalkar at the German Military Clinic. (Not your family members, though!) According to an agreement between NATO and the German Air Force, NATO will pay for the treatments including the medication which you receive here on base. (If the military doctor refers you to a civilian facility, the U.S. Air Force/TRICARE picks up the costs then.)

The Clinic hours are:

• Sick call hours: Monday through Friday 7:15 to 8:15 a.m.
• For afternoons: by appointment only

To make appointments, call on-base 2320 or off-base commercial 0 28 24 - 90 23 20. (The medical staff may not speak English well enough to schedule appointments, so please feel free to call the TRICARE POC first, and she will schedule the appointment for you.)

TRICARE Overseas Prime Remote is required for active duty personnel and is used extensively by family members at Kalkar (at no cost). Accessing care in a remote area using International SOS is easy. First, you select a provider from the International SOS network of providers. If you need help finding a provider (or if you need referral to a specialist), contact International SOS. Your provider will then treat you, and submit your claim for payment. That's all there is to it! 
We also have a full-time civilian TRICARE Point of Contact who helps in dealing with the German medical system and personnel. She is also available to translate if necessary.

You may want to keep your family members enrolled in the TRICARE Family Member Dental Plan with United Concordia, so they can receive routine dental or orthodontic care on the economy, too. You can schedule appointments at the military dental clinics at Geilenkirchen or Spangdahlem, but it will be on space-available basis for family members only.

Active duty members on flying status can expect to have their annual flight physicals at Spangdahlem or Ramstein.

You can find more information about TRICARE Overseas Prime Remote at TRICARE Europe's home page or at the Tricare Overseas page.

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.