Health Care

The 20th Medical Group (20 MDG) supports the 20 FW SEAD mission by providing world-class healthcare to our warfighters, family members, and retirees. In addition to 20 FW units served, 20 MDG supports 9th AF/AFCENT, 3d Army/ARCENT, 15 AF, 495 FG, 28 OWS, 377 RS, 480 ISRG, 25 ATKG, 609 AOC, and Geographically Separated Units (GSUs) spanning across 100 plus Operating Locations.

The 20 MDG is an outpatient clinic with 24-hour ambulance transport service. Direct outpatient care is provided for pediatric to geriatric clients in an ambulatory setting. Patients represent all eligible beneficiaries including active-duty service members and their family members and retirees and their family members.

For any urgent care needs defined as non-emergent care that would warrant medical attention within 24 hours, beneficiaries can speak with a registered nurse at 800-TRICARE. This service is a benefit for all TRICARE beneficiaries during non-duty hours or in the event you are unable to reach your primary care manager to address any urgent concerns, such as cold symptoms or minor aches. For active-duty only, you must have an authorization before any urgent care received off installation. Contacting the nurse advice line will help ensure you will have a referral on file to cover your visit.

For the most up-to-date information, please utilize the 20^th MDG appointment line at 803-895-2273.

Shaw Air Force Base has no emergency services. For on-base emergencies, call 911 for an ambulance. The ambulance service transports patients directly to the Prisma Health Toumey Medical Center Emergency Room, 129 N. Washington St., Sumter, South Carolina 29150.

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.

HEALTH CARE - OTHER

Medical Care

The 20th Medical Group operates a centralized appointment scheduling system. Active-duty members, dependents and retirees can call for appointments between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. 

Primary care clinic hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Flight Medicine -- The flight medicine clinic provides medical care for all personnel on flying status, air traffic controllers, parachutists and weapons controllers.

Laboratory -- The laboratory provides outpatient services from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and performs many of the diagnostic tests important for detection and treatment of diseases. Laboratory personnel are not permitted to release test results to patients.

Mental Health -- The mental health clinic diagnoses and treats individuals with a wide variety of mental health concerns. Appointments are scheduled by calling the mental health clinic directly.

Nutritional Medicine Clinic -- This clinic provides dietary counseling on such topics as weight reduction, diabetes, cholesterol-restricted and low-sodium diets. Patients are seen by referral only.

Optometry -- The optometry clinic performs vision examinations primarily for active-duty personnel. Initial eye exams may be scheduled through the central appointment desk.

Pediatrics -- The pediatric clinic treats young people under the age of 17. Appointments are divided into two categories:

• Acute: children in need of urgent medical attention
• Routine: appointments made in advance for non-urgent illnesses

Emergency Care -- The 20th Medical Group does not provide emergency care. Individuals who believe there is the potential for loss of life, limb or vision should proceed directly to the nearest emergency facility. Patients who believe they need medical care on a same-day basis should call 803-895-CARE or 803-895-2273 for an appointment. They will have the opportunity to speak with a triage officer (a registered nurse) to determine the best course of action. The nurse is often able to assist the caller to care for the condition at home and save the patient a trip to the clinic. However, if same-day medical care is appropriate, an appointment will be made at that time. If the condition warrants medical attention but is not acute (requiring same-day care), an appointment will be given for some time within the next week.

Dental Care

The dental clinic sees active-duty only between 7:15 and 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) is administered by United Concordia Companies, Inc. It is a voluntary comprehensive dental plan available to family members of all active-duty, uniformed services personnel. When the active-duty member (the sponsor), enrolls family members in the TDP, a monthly premium is paid through payroll deduction. The plan has cost shares, maximums and limitations similar to typical civilian dental group plans. The amount covered by the plan ranges from 100% to 50%, depending on the type of service. Family members must receive dental services in the United States, Canada, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico. tricare.mil/tdp

Detailed TDP coverage and enrollment information are contained in the TDP Benefit Booklet. Sponsors and family members may call United Concordia's toll-free Customer Service Department at 1-844-653-4061 Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST.

Family Advocacy Program

Family Advocacy is responsible for identifying and monitoring all military families in which child abuse/neglect and/or spouse abuse occurs. FAP provides all types of therapy and educational service for identified clients.

FAP is also actively involved in primary prevention through the Outreach Prevention Services of the New Parent Support Program.

Exceptional Family Member Program

The Exceptional Family Member Program is operated out of TRICARE Operation and Patient Administration located on the ground floor of the medical center. Family members with physical, emotional or educational needs are enrolled in EFMP once enrollment criteria have been met. The EFMP office provides assistance for all qualifying EFMP families and is responsible for screening dependents during the relocation clearance process. The office can be reached at 803-895-6247.

The Shaw Air Force Base EFMP offers an Everything EFMP Workshop at the Shaw Military and Family Readiness Center every other month. The purpose is to support and share information with patients and their families about the program. Parents are encouraged to come out and share their challenges and successes with other parents.

Each meeting gives you the opportunity to learn about available community resources, a resource speaker will present at each meeting.