Second Lt. Elias M. Cabrera, left, listens to medical advice from Navy Lt. Tayler B. Eldridge during a routine appointment at the Naval Health Clinic, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Sept. 23, 2014. NHCCP reorganized treatment systems recently to better provide for Marines, Sailors, military dependents and retirees who seek medical care at the facility. The new Medical Homeport streamlines appointment scheduling and healthcare services, and ensures individuals and family units receive the highest quality care available through a comprehensive appointment based system. Cabrera is an air traffic control officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron and a native of Orlando, Fla. Eldridge is a naval flight surgeon assigned to NHCCP and is a native of Santa Cruz, Calif.

Photo by Cpl. J. R. Heins

NHCCP Medical, Military Homeport realign for streamlined service

24 Sep 2014 | Sgt. Timothy T. Parish Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- A major reorganization of military health care services at Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point finished recently with the rollout of a new Medical Homeport for routine medical treatment and checkups here, Aug. 1.

According to Cmdr. Joel A. Ahlgrim, the reorganization merges two treatment systems and streamlines healthcare for active duty service members, military dependents and retirees.

“Under the prior arrangement, Medical Homeport served family members and retirees at Cherry Point,” said Ahlgrim, a native of Longmont, Colo. “Military Homeport served active duty personnel assigned to units other than the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, including air station personnel, Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron and multiple other smaller units and service members assigned to the clinic itself.”

The new Red, White and Blue teams serve the needs of all Cherry Point residents, including active duty Marines and Sailors, their families and retirees, within one procedural chain, called Medical Homeport. The teams will continue to provide the same services as before, including sick call and periodic check-ups for patients, with the same group of healthcare professionals serving the needs of individuals and family units, said Ahlgrim.

“By merging Military Homeport with Medical Homeport, entire families, including the service member, can now be enrolled for care with the same team. In some cases, they may all even be able to enroll with the same provider.”

The changes do not affect service members or families belonging to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. With expanded hours and new appointment scheduling options, patrons of NHCCP should expect a wider range of healthcare options and increased patient services, said Ahlgrim.

“We are getting away of the old sick call type of health care and going to more of a comprehensive appointment based system,” said Ahlgrim. “Patients can book an appointment using Tricare Online 24 hours a day and can get sound advice via the National Nurse Advice Line. With Relay Health, patients can request an appointment with a provider, get refills for medications or simply ask a provider a question.”

Beginning Oct. 1, NHCCP’s Medical Homeport hours will be Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., with final appointments beginning at 4:40 p.m. Wednesday hours are7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Friday hours are 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.