Health Care

Health services are provided at the Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River (NHCPR). Services that are available include: 

• Primary Care
• Preventive Care
• Mental (Behavioral) Health
• Lab Tests & Radiology
• Specialty Care
• Case Management
• Dental
• Pharmacy
• Women's Health & Pregnancy
• Other

Specialty care and services that are not available at NHCPR, patients are referred by their primary care provider to other Military Treatment Facilities in the National Capital Area such as: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center at Bethesda, Malcolm Grown at NAF Andrews or Fort Belvoir Community Hospital.

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.

The Dental staff at NHCPR is committed to providing unparalleled service with the highest quality and care. Staffed with 4 dentists, 3 part-time hygienists, and 13 dental assistants, the clinic's mission is to serve the Active Duty stationed at NAS Patuxent River. Family members and retirees are encouraged to use their respective TRICARE Dental Plans for their dental health needs. 

Dental Services:

• PHA, Flight Physical, and other Dental Examinations
• Preventive Care
• Fillings
• Oral Surgery
• Routine Cleanings

Some specialty dental care is referred to the dental clinic at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center at Bethesda or to local civilian dentists as determined by clinic staff and resources.

If there is an emergency after hours, please call the Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-874-2273, and go to either Urgent Care or the Emergency Room. After your visit there, please follow up with the Dental Staff.

The EFMP provides comprehensive support to military families who have family members with special needs, ensuring service members (SMs) are assigned to geographic areas where the medical (physical, developmental, and/or mental health) and/or educational needs of their exceptional family member(s) (EFM) can be met. This allows for a continuum of care that favorably allows for a heightened state of family readiness, positively impacting mission readiness. EFMP is three interrelated components across the DoD that work together on behalf of military families with special needs: identification and enrollment, assignment coordination and family support. Sponsors must enroll in the EFMP when they have a qualifying dependent who has been identified as having a long-term, ongoing diagnosis (six months or more) requiring specialty care, ongoing therapies, special medicine(s) and/or who is receiving special education services as outlined in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) plan. The family member is the EFM. The SM is known as the EFMP enrollee.

Attention to assignment locations reduces strain on family members, strengthens resilience and improves mission readiness. Through Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSCs), the EFMP helps families identify and connect with resources, education, and community support. They can be reached at 301-491-4911.

The Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River takes all categories of EFMP. NHCPR's EFMP Coordinator assists service members with the administrative actions required when requesting entry or updating within the EFMP. The EFMP coordinator can be reached by calling 301-342-2752.