Health Care

Call the Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital, a general medical and surgical hospital offering both inpatient and outpatient care, in Twentynine Palms, California, at 760-830-2190 or DSN 312-230-2190.

Specialty support and referrals for major inpatient and outpatient care not available locally are often provided by one of the local network hospitals such as Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree, the Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, Loma Linda University Medical Center in Redlands and Naval Medical Center San Diego. Medical support in some complex cases may not be readily available.

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.

Installation Hospital

The Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms is the number one small treatment facility in the Marine Corps and the number two small treatment facility in the Department of the Navy. We are very proud of our hospital.

Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms, in Building 1145, is a general medical and surgical hospital providing both inpatient and outpatient care. The hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations. Accreditation is a professional recognition of hospitals that strive to provide high-quality health care. Call us at 760-830-2190.

TRICARE Prime patients enrolled at the Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms have priority for access to care. Patients should enroll into TRICARE online. Benefits services representatives for family members at the Naval Hospital can be reached at 800-242-6788; for active-duty members, call 760-830-2526.

Dental Care

The 23^rd Dental Company provides routine and emergency dental care for all military personnel assigned to the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. Clinic hours are Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Emergencies are seen at any time. There is 24-hour clinic coverage seven days a week.

Although emergency care is available for all military beneficiaries, family members and retirees are strongly encouraged to enroll in their respective dental insurance programs. Third-party insurance programs afford an opportunity to receive comprehensive dental care from civilian dentists in the communities serving the combat center. The dental insurance provided through TRICARE is United Concordia, which is the dental provider for most military dependents. To learn more about the services they provide, visit the United Concordia website.