FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- The Enrollment Window is open at both the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital and the Ozark Family-Centered Medical Home satellite clinic, located in the City of Saint Robert municipal building.

New enrollment incentives include state-of-the-art telemedicine capability, a second full-service pharmacy beginning Feb. 10, and free guest wireless throughout much of the hospital.

All TRICARE insured beneficiaries are eligible to enroll in TRICARE Prime. Those aged 65 and over enrolled in Medicare part B may choose TRICARE.

Specifically eligible are active duty military and their family members, and retirees and their family members.

All TRICARE insured beneficiaries who currently have "network" Primary Care Manager are encouraged to enroll now. Those with network care have a Primary Care Manager outside of the Military Treatment Facility and OFCMH satellite clinic.

All TRICARE insured beneficiaries using TRICARE Standard are encouraged to enroll in TRICARE Prime to maximize their benefits.

Why enroll?

"Today's new Army Medicine system is designed to encourage caring teamwork. "Patient-centered," "team-based," "medical homes" are all about providing a new friendlier, safer and reliable Army "System For Health," said Ingersoll.

The hospital's Leonard Wood Medical Home and OFCMH clinic are recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance as "Patient Centered Medical Home" care facilities here. They are also surveyed and certified by the Joint Commission. NCQA and JC certifications are recognized as symbols of safe, quality medical facilities, nationwide.

If that's not enough incentive to enroll here, General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital was rated #1 in the Army Medical Command for Outpatient Care efficiency, and #3 for Inpatient Care efficiency.

"Our efficiency translates directly into increased services that are now available here for our enrollees, such as delivering full-services at our PX Pharmacy, and providing free guest wireless access," said Ingersoll. "Efficiency naturally attracts budget dollars and increased support."

"We were even able to establish the first (of its kind) Electronic Intensive Care Unit in DoD right here on Fort Leonard Wood," said Ingersoll. "This effort has bridged a vision by our previous Hospital Commander, Col. Kirk Eggleston, and operationalized by current Hospital Commander, Col. Marie Dominguez. This is an impressive initiative in an age of challenged healthcare budgets and services."

The eICU brings additional board-certified and experienced critical care doctors and nurses right into our Intensive Care rooms here through the use of high-definition video and secure, real-time monitoring of vital signs, medications, test results, X-rays and other diagnostic information.

"More importantly, the eICU provides on-demand second-opinion care typically only offered at much larger hospitals," said Ingersoll.

"Now, family members can go home at night, sleep in their own bed, and know that if something happens they can be back here in 10 minutes vs. a two-and-a-half hour drive to Saint Louis," said Dominguez.

With no co-pays for visits or prescriptions, the Army's new System For Health retains its long-held cost advantage over civilian healthcare, while providing enrollees with increasingly competitive and state-of-the-art care.

"TRICARE Prime enrollment has increased over the last 12 months, leaving only about half of the vacancies available that we had here a year ago," said Ingersoll.

"We have 250 more spaces available to enroll here in TRICARE (Plus)--and we want these folks back," said Dominguez.

Many eligible enrollees will be receiving an enrollment form and a benefits information sheet in the mail within the next few weeks.

"Just fill out the form and send it in using the enclosed envelope," said Ingersoll. "If you don't receive a mailer, or are having difficulties filling out the form, please give us a call on our enrollment hotline at (573) 596-0418, 596-0727 or 596-0462.

"Closing this enrollment gap will allow us to continue providing high-quality, high-value care during this very-real era of the 'use it or lose it' healthcare budget mindset," said Ingersoll.

(Editor's note: John Brooks is the marketing and public affairs officer at General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital)

Why enroll--what's in it for you?

• Cost -No Co-Pays for visits or prescriptions, free school and sports physicals, guest wireless, nutrition care, health & wellness classes, checkups, and immunizations

• Convenience -Two full-service pharmacies, online appointment booking, increased communication with Primary Care Manager, convenient parking

• Continuity of Care -Averages 92% with care team, or 100% if you book an open appointment online directly with your PCM

Benefits of enrollment:

• Two full-service pharmacies, off-post satellite clinic, new Primary Care wing, extensive Operating Rooms and Emergency Room upgrades

• Online appointment booking with calendar view, and Secure Messaging with your PCM and Care Team

• First of its kind civilian-contracted military eICU pilot program provides additional board-certified physician collaboration, additional critical care staff, and allows patients and families to avoid transfers and 2-hour drives to distant hospitals

• Behavior Health access for all enrollees, including family members

• Best Mother/Baby Unit customer service in the Army.

• PCMH with Nurse Case Management: The Army's new Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH-recognized by NCQA), team-based care model provides coordinated care for both inpatient and outpatient services