Health Care

1. Immunizations are now offered on the 1floor (Medical Homeport)

The primary care center provides comprehensive health care to all active-duty families. In order to establish a physician-patient relationship, registered families or individuals are assigned to health care teams identified by colors (green, gold, blue, purple and white). These teams are comprised of nurses, nurse practitioners, general medical officers, internists, pediatricians and family physicians. Location: Naval Branch Health Clinic is located at 1 Wahoo Ave., Groton, CT 06349. To make Appointments: Medical: (888) 628-9633. Dental: 860-694-3736 (3738). https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/HealthPlans

• Toll-free: 800-538-9552.
• TTY/TTD: 866-363-2883.
• Fax: 800-336-4416 (Primary) or 1-502-335-9980 (Alternate)

NOTE: If you have a fever, remain outside and please call 860-694-4123, and we’ll come out to you.

Location: Naval Branch Health Clinic is located at 1 Wahoo Ave., Groton, CT 06349.

• Main: 860-694-4123
• DSN: 694-4123

To make Appointments:

• Medical: (888) 628-9633
• Dental: (860) 694-3736
• RX Refill: (877) 211-1126

Appointment Call Center - All medical appointments are now scheduled through the NMRTC NE, by calling 888-628-9633. You may also use the Appointment Call Center to cancel or reschedule appointments or leave a message for your provider. Clinic Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closed on Sunday and all Federal Holidays

• Mental Health Phone: 860-694-4966 (Outpatient Mental Health); Phone: 860-694-4837 (Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Program)
• Audiology Phone: 860-694-3870
• Case Management Coordinates care for deployment help for military personnel and their families. 860-694-4026/2388/1469
• Chiropractic Appointments are available for active duty members only on Mon/Wed/Fri.  Phone: 860-694-4893  call to schedule an appointment.
• Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) Serves active duty families with health & education needs. Phone: 860-694-4918.
• Health Promotions / Wellness.  Please stop by, call, or make an appointment. Phone: 860-694-1471.
• Immunizations Patients seen on Walk-in basis. Phone: 860-694-4811
• Laboratory Phone: 860-694-2426. All Lab samples are collected on a walk-in basis no appointment required. Results are released to the ordering provider, but patients may also review them via the TRICARE online health portal. 
• Medical Records Phone: 860-694-4812 – No appointments – Call with Inquiry or Walk-in.
• Occupational Health Phone: 860-694-2493
• Optometry  Phone: 860-694- 4861- call to schedule an appointment.

TRICARE Nurse Advice Line: Phone: 800-874-2273 (Option 1)

The dental clinic is in building 575, next to NMRTU Groton building 449. Routine and specialty dental services are available for active-duty personnel. Overseas Suitability Screening appointments are also available for active-duty family members.  Call 860-694-3736/3738/2870 for an appointment. In the event of a dental emergency after normal business hours, patients may reach the on-call dental staff by contacting the Chief of the Day who can be reached by calling the NMRTU Groton quarter-deck at 860-694-4123 NBDC:https://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nhcne/NHCNE/services/dental/dental.htm

Location: Naval Branch Dental Clinic is located at 1 Wahoo Ave., Groton, CT 06349. Call 860-694-3738. The dental clinic is in building 575, next to NMRTU Groton building 449. Routine and specialty dental services.

Groton, CT Address: 1 Wahoo Drive Groton, CT 06349   LINK: https://newengland.tricare.mil/Clinics/Navy-Medicine-Readiness-and-Training-Unit-Groton

• Phone: Front Desk: 860-694-3736
• Hours: Monday – Friday 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.

TRICARE Nurse Advice Line: Phone: 800-874-2273 (Option 1)

Naval Dental Clinic, Newport, RI Address: 1173 Whipple St. Naval Station Newport, RI 02841 LINK: https://newengland.tricare.mil/Health-Services/Dental 

• Phone Front Desk: 401-841-2541 After Hours Emergencies: 401-862-4088
• Hours: Monday – Friday 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

To make Appointments: Dental Main: 860-694-3738/3736, RX Refill: 877-211-1126

Family members: The TRICARE Dental Program is a comprehensive dental plan available to family members of active-duty uniformed services personnel. There are many dentists in the Groton-New London area who accept TDP. For information regarding participating dentists or other questions, you may call United Concordia at 800-866-8499 or visit their website.

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.

Civilian Services

If you use TRICARE Standard/Extra, call 800-TRICARE, option 1, to talk to a nurse who can answer health-related questions, help you find a doctor, and schedule appointments. The Groton-New London area has many excellent facilities to meet your healthcare needs. You will find several private hospitals, outpatient treatment facilities, medical practices, and many specialty clinics.

For more information regarding your choices, call Health Net at 877-874-2273, or visit their website- https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/HealthPlans

TRICARE offers several different health plans; however, plan availability depends on who you are and where you live.

If you use TRICARE Standard/Extra, call 800-TRICARE, option 1, to talk to a nurse who can answer health-related questions, help you find a doctor, and schedule appointments. The Groton-New London area has many excellent facilities to meet your healthcare needs. You will find several private hospitals, outpatient treatment facilities, medical practices, and many specialty clinics.

For more information regarding your choices, call Health Net at 877-874-2273, or visit their website.

• https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/New/NewFNGRM
• http://tricare.mil/Plans/New

DMDC/DEERS Support Office (DSO)

• Toll-free: 1-800-538-9552
• TTY/TTD: 1-866-363-2883
• Fax: 1-800-336-4416 (Primary) or 1-502-335-9980 (Alternate)

New Spouses: When you marry an active duty or retired service member, you become entitled to military benefits, including TRICARE.

• Your sponsor must register you in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
• Once registered in DEERS, you'll get your own uniformed services identification card and you can start using TRICARE.

Your Health Plan Options You may be eligible for the following health plans:

• TRICARE Prime*, TRICARE Select, US Family Health Plan, TRICARE Select Overseas, TRICARE For Life

*Active duty spouses can also enroll in one of these Prime options with their active duty sponsors:

• TRICARE Prime Remote, TRICARE Prime Overseas, TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas

TRICARE covers most inpatient and outpatient care that is medically necessary To be medically necessary means it is appropriate, reasonable, and adequate for your condition...  TRICARE provides a robust pharmacy benefit. You can enroll in one of TRICARE's dental plans:

TRICARE Dental Program (if your sponsor is on active duty or in the Guard/Reserves)

You may be eligible for dental coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). 

Out-of-Pocket Costs, Your health care costs are based on your sponsor's status (active duty or retired) and which health plan option you are using.

Coverage for Children Biological, adopted, and step-children are covered by TRICARE.

What if I already have health insurance? TRICARE pays after your other health plan in most cases. Compare TRICARE to your health plan and decide which best meets your needs.

Family Members of National Guard or Reserve Members

Your TRICARE coverage is based on your sponsor's coverage and military status:

• On military duty for less than 30 days
• Activated Called or ordered to active duty service for more than 30 days in a row.
• Deactivated after leaving active duty (for more than 30 consecutive days

For you to be eligible for any TRICARE benefits, your sponsor must register you in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).

Your Health Plan Options Sponsor on Military Duty for Less than 30 Days TRICARE Reserve Select (when your sponsor is qualified and purchases the plan)

Sponsor is activated: You may qualify for one of the following health plan options:

• TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Prime Remote, TRICARE Prime Overseas, TRICARE Prime Remote Overseas, TRICARE Select, TRICARE Select Overseas, TRICARE For Life, US Family Health Plan

Some of these health plan options require you to enroll by submitting an enrollment application.

Sponsor is deactivated: When your sponsor leaves active duty, he or she may qualify for transitional coverage through the Transitional Assistance Management Program followed by TRICARE Reserve Select (if he or she requalifies).

Biological, adopted, and step-children are covered by TRICARE. 

• Eligibility for children Unmarried biological, step-children, and adopted children are eligible for TRICARE until age 21 (or 23 if in college, see "College Students" below).
• Eligibility may extend beyond these age limits if he or she is severely disabled.
• At age 21 or 23, he or she may qualify to purchase TRICARE Young Adult. 

Giving birth or adopting

• Stateside: You have 90 days from your child's birth, adoption, or court appointment to register the child in DEERS and enroll the child or make any eligible enrollment changes.
• Overseas: You must first register your child in DEERS within 120 days from your child's birth date or the date of adoption. Once you register him or her in DEERS, you then have 90 days to enroll in or change a health plan.

Coverage for college students

• If your child moves for college, you have 90 days to change your TRICARE Health Plan. See Moving for more details.
• While enrolled in college, children may be eligible for regular TRICARE benefits until their 23rd birthday or graduation, whichever comes first.

When children become adults

• You have 90 days after your child turns 21 to make changes to your TRICARE health plan (Additional conditions below).
• Biological and adopted children can get TRICARE until their 21st birthday in most cases. There are some exceptions to the age limit.

At age 21, your child may qualify for TRICARE Young Adult if they:

• Are age 21-26
• Remain unmarried
• Are adult dependent children

There are premiums for TRICARE Young Adult. If your child doesn't qualify to purchase TRICARE Young Adult, they can purchase the Continued Health Care Benefit Program.

What kind of certificate is needed?

ID Cards

Once you're registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) a database of information on uniformed services members (sponsors), U.S.-sponsored foreign military, DoD and uniformed services civilians, other personnel as directed by the DoD, and their family members. You need to register in DEERS to get TRICARE. you'll be issued a uniformed services identification (ID) card.

• Providers will ask to see your ID card and will make copies for his or her records. 
• Have your ID card with you whenever you are getting care or prescriptions filled.

ID Cards for Children

• Children under age 10 can usually use a parent's or guardian's ID card.
• At age 10, the sponsor must get an ID card for the child.
• Children under age 10 should have their  ID card when in the custody of a parent or guardian who is not eligible for TRICARE or who is not the custodial parent after a divorce.  

Adult Children Using TRICARE Young Adult

• You lose eligibility for TRICARE at age 21 (or 23 if enrolled in college, )
• When you lose eligibility, your ID card is no longer valid.
• You can enroll in TRICARE Young Adult without a valid ID card
• When your coverage begins and you're notified by your regional contractor, you can visit any ID Card Office to get a new ID card.

ID Cards for Beneficiaries Age 75 and Over: Family members and survivors of deceased personnel age 75 and over, can get a permanent ID card. If you are age 75 or older and have a valid ID card, get a new permanent ID card within 90 days of your card's expiration date.