5th MDG offers new advice line Published Sept. 17, 2008 Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- What should you do in the middle of the night when your baby wakes up with a fever? What about when you're miserable on a Sunday afternoon with a sore throat? What's the best way to take care of a cold? At what point should you go to the doctor? Sometimes it's difficult to know what to do when you're feeling sick or hurt. That's why the 5th Medical Group is offering a new service: All 5th MDG-enrolled beneficiaries can now obtain health care advice through an accredited nurse advice line by calling (701) 723-5633 and selecting option 1. The advice line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Overall, the service represents two years of research by the 5th MDG. "The nurse advice line is another great health care benefit for our beneficiaries," said Capt. Krista Grey, health care integrator. "It provides an opportunity for patients to talk with a registered nurse regarding health concerns 24 hours per day, 7 days per week." When one connects to the nurse advice line, they speak with a registered nurse regarding their health concerns any time, day or night. These nurses follow strict protocols to ensure the highest standard of care is provided and help direct beneficiaries to the right care at the right time. If the nurse advises urgent or emergent care, then the military treatment facility staff will enter a referral for the individual when the MTF receives the triage report. The nurse advice line is now option 1 of the 5th MDG's phone tree. To make a medical appointment, beneficiaries should select option 2 when they dial 723-5633. "Other changes have been made to the phone tree to make it more user-friendly, so callers should listen to the options before making a selection," Captain Grey said. The nurse advice line is a call center located outside the MTF. If beneficiaries need medication renewals, test results, or other communication with their primary care manager team, they will continue to contact the clinic where they are assigned. As always, beneficiaries must obtain an authorization for urgent care; otherwise they will be billed under TRICARE Prime's point-of-service option, which includes additional cost-shares and a deductible. They may appeal the payment of a claim under the POS option if they believe it was billed in error. However, they will be covered for urgent or emergent care if the nurse advice line advises they go to the urgent care clinic or the emergency room. "Now patients have ready access to advice about when they should seek medical care and what home care they can do," said Captain Grey.