Information for NATO Service Members
Inprocessing
Upon arrival at Sheppard Air Force Base, you will go to the ID card office (Building 402) and issued a Common Access Card. After receiving your CAC, go to the Sheppard Clinic, second floor, TRICARE office to be registered into the MHS GENESIS records system. We’ll need a copy of your orders to scan into the records. Without these orders the clinic won’t be able to bill for reimbursement.
To be eligible for medical care, please ensure you use the DoD Benefit Number located on the back side of your identification card.
Emergency Care
Sheppard Clinic has no emergency services (threat to life, limb or eyesight). Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you’re located on base, please advise the operator.
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United Regional Healthcare System, 1600 11th St. (Trauma, cardiac, OB, all other services available)
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Kell West Regional Hospital, 5420 Kell West Blvd. (No trauma, cardiac, or OB services available)
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**Please note** ER Now is not an emergency room and is not TRICARE-authorized.
Urgent Care or Out-of-Area Medical Care
Foreign military members must call the Military Health System Nurse Advice Line at 800--TRICARE (874-2273) for triage and guidance. Military members must follow up with the Sheppard Flight Medicine Clinic the next business day.
Foreign family members
The MHS Nurse Advice Line is available for uncertain situations, guidance and medical advice at 800-TRICARE (874-2273), or go to one of the TRICARE-authorized urgent care facilities listed below.
**Please note** ER Now is not an emergency room and is not TRICARE-authorized.
Call facility for hours of operation and any age restrictions.
Appointments at Sheppard Clinic
Foreign military members must coordinate all medical care using the Flight Medicine Clinic. For regular and return to fly appointments, call 940-676-2273 to make an appointment or for questions.
Family members are authorized to use the following Sheppard Medical clinics for care:
Family members can also use any TRICARE-authorized civilian facility in the community. To find a specific TRICARE-authorized provider, use the ‘Find Care’ option on the TRICARE website. You can call TRICARE West at 844-866-9378 or the MHS Nurse Advice Line at 800-874-2273.
Referrals for Care (Outside Sheppard)
Foreign military members must coordinate all referrals with the Flight Medicine clinic, including provider-to-provider referrals from specialty clinics. Call 940-676-2273 to make an appointment or for questions. All referrals will be processed through the Sheppard Medical Clinic Beneficiary Counselor in the TRICARE Office. For questions about referrals or appointments, call 940-676-1347/6194.
All referrals usually take 72 hours to process. If you haven’t heard anything in seven days or more, contact the TRICARE Office.
Foreign family members
If referred for specialty care by their primary care provider at Sheppard Clinic, referrals will be processed at the TRICARE Office, located on the second floor.
Referrals from civilian providers or other off-base specialty care will be processed by Humana Military and that provider. For questions on those referrals, please contact the civilian provider. You don’t need to come to Sheppard Clinic for processing.
Pharmacy Services
There’s no cost to foreign military or their family members if prescribed a medication and use the Sheppard Medical Clinic Pharmacy.
To refill prescriptions at the base, please call 940-251-3479. To transfer current prescriptions from other DOD facilities, please bring in the medication bottle. The technicians will transfer your medications to this facility. You can pick up your medications at our 24/7 “ScriptCenter” located just inside the main entrance. This is convenient, efficient, and always available. Please sign in with the pharmacy staff to receive text messages when medications are ready for pickup.
Foreign military members filling prescriptions using a civilian pharmacy will be required to pay the full cost of the medication. Reimbursements can be provided, but you will need the receipt, the bag that medication came in, and a copy of the prescription. Bring these to the TRICARE Office on the second floor for processing.
Foreign family members should use only a TRICARE-authorized pharmacy in the local area. Please use the “Find a Pharmacy” at Find a TRICARE Network Pharmacy | Express Scripts . There will be a cost or copayment associated with these medications. The cost may range from $16 and up. The copayments are not reimbursable. If you have questions, please call 940-676-6194.
**Please Note** Do not use Walmart or Sam’s – these are not TRICARE network pharmacies, and you will not be reimbursed.
Express Scripts/Mail Order Delivery (Family Members Only)
Express Scripts can be used for home delivery. You will receive a 90-day supply, versus a 30-day supply from commercial pharmacies. This is a cost savings for medications that are taken daily for long periods of time. To get more information and sign up for an account at Home Delivery | TRICARE Pharmacy Program | Express Scripts or call 877-363-1303 for questions or assistance. Copayments are not reimbursable.
Maternity Care
Sheppard Medical Clinic has no OB services. Maternity care will be received in the community. To establish care off-base, come to the Women’s Clinic and staff will perform a pregnancy test. Upon confirmation the staff will coordinate care off-base for you. Maternity office visits are a covered benefit under TRICARE. However, the hospital and delivery costs are not a covered benefit.
For deliveries in Wichita Falls there will be an up-front medical cost deposit required. This will cost anywhere from $2,500 to $4,000. A routine vaginal delivery costs roughly $15,000 and up, depending on the delivery itself. The cost may increase based upon any complications or issues with the delivery. These costs may be reimbursed by your country.
Additional Maternity Care
Lawton, Oklahoma, hospitals offer les-expensive delivery options. However, Lawton is still about a 45-minute drive, should you have complications.
Vaginal delivery can cost about $8,000, and cesarean deliveries about $9,000. You will receive a pricing package, detailing all costs associated with the birth. This cost does not include the first exam for the baby.
It is important that you review each pricing package carefully to ensure they include the physician charges. Less expensive packages do not cover those charges. If using the Lawton, OK area you will be able to receive prenatal care in Wichita Falls and go to Lawton to deliver the baby.
Another option is a referral to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. This is a 6-hour drive, and you must be accepted by the facility for care. BAMC isn’t an option if you are high risk, or have a history of complications, due to the distance involved. You will be responsible for all costs associated with travel and hotel.
Breast Pump Reimbursement
TRICARE will reimburse for breast pumps. There is no limit on the amount.
You must get a receipt showing the address of where the pump shipped from if you order online. Getting the shipping address can be difficult. If you order straight from a distributor, you will have better chance of an easy reimbursement. There are several medical supply companies in the Wichita Falls area where pumps can be purchased.
For reimbursement you must have a copy of the prescription, the shipping document with an address, and a bill of sale. The TRICARE office can assist you with filing a claim.
Unavailable Services
Dental Care: There is no dental benefit available to foreign family members. All dental care is the responsibility of the service member, but may be reimbursed by your country. Military members receive dental care at the Sheppard Dental clinic.
Inpatient Medical Care (overnight stays) in the hospital for military and/or family members: There are no programs available to cover medical concerns that require an overnight hospital stay (car accidents, surgeries). If there is a medical need for this service, please contact your country representative for guidance.
Billing
If you receive a bill in the mail and don’t understand the charges, please ensure you contact the provider’s office and ensure it has the correct spelling of your name, the correct DOD benefit number, and correct date of birth. For other issues, please bring the bill and any other associated documents to the TRICARE Office for review/clarification.
Several countries receive a 50% discount at United Regional Health Care System for overnight medical care. These include Germany. Belgium, Portugal, Romania, and Greece. After receiving your bill, come to the TRICARE Office for help with filing for the 50% discount.
Other Sheppard Clinic Information
Sheppard Clinic is closed on U.S. federal holidays, some family days, and the third Wednesday of each month for training. For a complete list, visit our closures page.
For other health related information, including additional closures, weather delays, up to date information, and other helpful hints please visit our Facebook page.
For other questions: usaf.sheppard.82-mdg.list.topa-inbox@health.mil
You can call the TRICARE Office at 940-676-6194 or 940-676-1347 with any questions you may have.
Welcome to Sheppard AFB - we hope you enjoy your stay!.