Health Care

The 423 Air Base Group medical facility is a modern, limited-scope clinic, with medical, mental health and dental professionals whose charter it is to keep active-duty service members and their families physically and mentally fit during their tour here. The 423 ABG Medical Flight is an outpatient facility. Its role is to provide routine medical, mental health and dental services within the capability of its resources.

The following services are not available: emergency room, ambulance, after-hours services, imaging or physical therapy. Pregnancy care is conducted at Royal Air Force Lakenheath or at civilian facilities. Specialty services are limited and require a referral to either RAF Lakenheath or civilian facilities.

Call 011-44-1480-84-2273 or DSN 314-268-2273. Duty hours are Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. with the exception of the 3^rd Friday of the month when we are closed for training. The lab and pharmacy are closed noon-1 p.m. daily.

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.

Overseas Medical Clearance

Family members are screened for medical, educational, and behavioral health conditions which require ongoing, follow-up or specialty care. The process is accomplished through medical and educational screening using branch-specific processes. A travel recommendation is given based on the availability, accessibility and capability of medical and educational services that can be guaranteed at either the medical treatment facility and/or within the TRICARE network, and/or school systems. Providing upfront and honest information is paramount to the continued care of your family members as the medical clinic at RAF Alconbury is a limited-scope facility. Every attempt is made to ensure travel is recommended; however, in the event that travel is not recommended, it is truly because the needs exceed our capabilities.

Installation Hospital – RAF Alconbury Clinic

The 423^rd Medical Squadron is a modern clinic staffed with medical and dental professionals whose charter is to keep you and your family physically and mentally fit during your tour here.

The 423^rd Medical Squadron is an outpatient facility. Their role is to provide routine medical and dental services within the capability of their resources. Specialty services are limited and require referral to either military or civilian facilities. The British system of health care is built around the general practitioner or family doctor. Subscribers to the National Health Service are assigned to a GP or choose their own. They consult him/her first before seeking any other medical advice or treatment.

The British equivalent to an emergency room is the Accident and Emergency department, or casualty. A&E is for emergencies. In true emergencies, any British A&E will treat patients who arrive there for care; however, the A&E will triage and take those who have the highest need first. You are entitled to emergency care under the Status of Forces Agreement between the U.K. and U.S. In non-emergencies, you may be referred back to the 423^rd Medical Squadron for a routine appointment. Please note that even though you may perceive your case to be an emergency, the civilian medical facility may advise you to seek care at the clinic. You will be briefed about the new TRICARE medical system upon your arrival.

Dental Care

The dental services available at RAF Alconbury should meet the needs of most active-duty service members and their families.

Routine care, including an annual dental examination and cleaning for active duty and family members, is provided at the clinic.

Specialty care, such as root canals, implants, orthodontics and surgical procedures, is limited for family members and depends on the active-duty workload. Despite this, these services have historically been provided to meet most family members’ needs.

Emergency Dental Services

During Duty Hours – Emergency dental appointments are available at RAF Alconbury. Please call the dental clinic at DSN 268-2273 or commercial 01480842273 for assistance.

After Duty Hours – No after-hours emergency dental care is available at RAF Alconbury.

• First call Lakenheath’s ER at commercial 01638-52-4226/8324 for dental care.
• Dial the NHS at 111 for triage into the NHS system.
• If you have dental insurance, call 844-4060 or 877-888-3337 outside the continental U.S.
• U.S. citizens will be required to pay 45 GBP for private dental after-hours evaluation. This fee is not reimbursable.
• Be sure to report to the dental clinic or reach the dental clinic by phone within two days of receiving after-duty emergency dental treatment care.

Mental Health Clinic, Family Advocacy Program, and Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment

Mental Health, FAP and ADAPT clinics should meet the needs of most active-duty service members and their families. Medication management is jointly coordinated between Mental Health and our medical clinic. RAF Lakenheath psychiatry services may also be utilized for medication management (Active Duty only).

Educational and Developmental Intervention Services

EDIS provides services to support families of children with developmental delays, disabilities and/or special learning needs. EDIS delivers early intervention services to eligible infants, toddlers and family members. Related services are provided to children 3 to 21 years of age, in coordination with the Department of Defense Education Activity Special Education Program.

National Health Service

Under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, all U.S. military, DOD members and family members residing in the U.K. are entitled to care through the NHS, free of charge. In general, if services cannot be provided to you through the resources of the RAF Alconbury Clinic then you will be referred to NHS resources.

Active personnel are reminded that if civilian health care (care obtained without a referral from your primary care manager) is provided, they are to inform their PCM of the care provided within three duty days. Although services are generally provided free of charge under the NHS, you may be placed on a long waiting list for services for purely elective evaluations or procedures. If you desire to be seen privately for healthcare and you wish the cost to be covered by TRICARE, you will have to be referred by your PCM.

Those who cannot seek care on base are encouraged to work with their hiring authority to ensure they have medical coverage to meet their needs before coming to Britain. Please visit the NHS website to learn more.

Getting Care Along the Way

For emergency or urgent care while overseas, call International SOS at 00-44-20-8762-8133 to help you find the best care available in the overseas area in which you are traveling.