ACCESS TO CARE STANDARDS APPOINTMENT TYPE |
ACCESS TO CARE STANDARD |
ACUTE |
24 Hours |
FUTURE (Primary Care Routine) |
7 Days |
FUTURE (Follow-up) |
Provider Designated |
SPECIALTY |
28 Days |
ACUTE APPOINTMENT DEFINITION.
An urgent (acute) care appointment is reserved for
non-emergent, urgent care that is typically delivered by an MTF or network
Primary Care Manager (PCM). Acute care services for Active Duty and TRICARE
Prime enrollees shall be scheduled no greater than 24 hours from the time the
need for this appointment is determined. Exception: Beneficiaries may waive the
24-hour access standard.
FUTURE (ROUTINE) APPOINTMENT DEFINITION.
A Future primary care (routine) appointment is
designated for patients who require a visit with their PCM for a new healthcare
problem that is not considered urgent. Future (routine) care for Active Duty and
TRICARE Prime enrollees shall be scheduled within seven calendar days from the
time the need for this appointment is determined. Exception: Beneficiaries may
waive the 7-Day access standard.
SPECIALTY APPOINTMENT DEFINITION.
A specialty care appointment (SPEC) is designated for
patients who require an initial consult, referral, or initial self-referral.
Specialty care for Active Duty and TRICARE Prime enrollees shall be scheduled
within 28 calendar days from the time the need for this appointment is
determined. A specialty care appointment also includes procedures (PROC)
designated for patients in need of medical procedures.
FUTURE APPOINTMENT DEFINITION.
An future appointment for all other clinics (FTR) is
designated for patients who require follow-up care. Established care for Active
Duty and TRICAE Prime enrollees shall be scheduled in accordance with the
provider designated time frame.