Appointment-based care coming to Buckley Clinic Published March 8, 2012 By 2nd Lt. Sanya Bird 460th Medical Group BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Beginning April 1, 2012, the Buckley Family Medicine Clinic will transition to appointment-based care in support of the Patient-Centered Medical Home. Appointment-based care navigates away from traditional walk-in based "sick call" to a scheduled medical appointment. This allows the PCMH team to plan ahead for the appointment by reviewing the patient's medical history and gathering needed information prior to the encounter. The appointment becomes more productive and efficient for both the health care team and the patient. The Buckley PCMH program was implemented in August 2011. PCMH is a DoD concept modeled on a "team" approach to health care. Patients are assigned to a primary care manager, who, along with their team, provides coordinated, family-centered health care focused on continuity and prevention. This enables the patient and team to have a continuous relationship that leads to better medical management and more proactive care. Appointment-based care is a vital aspect of PCMH. Starting April 1, active duty "sick call" will no longer be offered at family practice. Aerospace medicine will maintain their current operational practices. After April 1, active duty members arriving for "sick call" will be educated on the new appointment-based care appointment process and assisted in securing the next available appointment. Additionally, the appointment line will be limited to active duty appointment scheduling from 7 a.m.-7:30 a.m. to ensure priority access. From 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., the appointment line will be open for all beneficiaries to call to reserve appointments with their providers. Alternatively, beneficiaries may book their appointments online at www.tricareonline.com. Telephone-based care will be available for patients with specific complaints. Supervisors may also chose to grant 24-hour sick status if a member's illness or injury does not require a medical appointment as outlined in AFI 41-210. The Buckley Main Clinic is now located on the fourth floor of the 13611 East Colfax Ave. building complex, at the corner of Potomac Street and Colfax Avenue. Patient parking is available on the southeast corner of the building; the entrance is on Colfax Avenue and Buckley Clinic patient parking signs are posted. If you have questions please contact 720-847-WELL (9355).