JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
When scheduling appointments to visit their medical providers, TRICARE beneficiaries residing in Williamsburg won’t have to travel too far from home to receive healthcare.
As a community-based primary care clinic and extension of Joint Base Langley-Eustis’ McDonald Army Health Center, the new Williamsburg Medical Home is now open for enrolled military family members.
According to U.S. Army Lt. Col. Vincent Myers, MCAHC commander, Army community-based medical homes were created to get care out to where the beneficiaries live. About six to eight years ago, a population analysis indicated that a large number of beneficiaries were residents of the Williamsburg area.
“The intent of a community-based medical home is to drive care where our patients reside,” said Myers. “We looked at where a lot of patients reside and as the population continued to grow in Williamsburg, it made sense to open up a community-based medical home there.”
Due to the convenience and popularity of existing Army community-based clinics, patient satisfaction rates are high. Myers said the first question beneficiaries ask upon arrival at MCAHC is whether there is care in the community where they reside.
In the planning stages for almost 10 years, the project required extensive teamwork. Myers highlighted the leadership and support provided by a key team member, U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Aaron Vandall, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth group practice manager.
“We have a 2,200 square foot physical therapy area that will not just be for primary care but for all TRICARE Prime beneficiaries who want to receive physical therapy services in Williamsburg,” said Vandall. “It is a state-of-the-art, beautiful facility in the town of Williamsburg, with the best information technology. I think our patients are going to really enjoy being out there.”
Prior to the clinic’s opening, MCAHC compiled a database to identify individuals who wanted to be added to its authorized beneficiary wait list. Some beneficiaries residing on Langley Air Force Base and other locations are expected to transfer to the new clinic.
“We have some beneficiaries, that because the provider has decided to go out there, to move from this facility [MCAHC] to that facility. We have beneficiaries who live in Hampton but are going to Williamsburg because they don’t want to leave the provider they’ve had for many years,” Myers explained. “It says a lot about the organization and the providers in the organization that they will travel past this facility and up the road 20 more minutes to go to Williamsburg.”
With an enrollment cap of 6,600 beneficiaries, the clinic is open to active-duty family members, and retirees and their family members from all services who reside in Williamsburg and the surrounding communities.
“Our providers, care teams and support teams are very excited to see patients out there,” said Myers. “They are going to provide great care and our folks [beneficiaries] are going to love it.”
Located in the New Town area of Williamsburg, the 18,000 square foot, two-story facility is at 5309 Discovery Park Blvd. The clinic is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Enrolled beneficiaries can schedule appointments through the Hampton Roads Appointment Center, TRICARE Online or by calling the clinic directly. Walk-ins will be available if directed by assigned healthcare providers.
For more information on how to enroll, call (757) 314-7777 or (757) 314-7748.