GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Many of you may have gotten automated appointment reminders of an upcoming medical appointment. This call comes from the "Audio Communicator" and is designed to notify you and any family members of upcoming medical appointments. It's really just a reminder. Because we cannot disclose the exact location of the appointment due to privacy rules, we must notify a person (the patient), who acknowledges himself or herself as the one being called by birthday, of an upcoming medical appointment (in the next 1-3 days) without disclosing the actual clinic.
In addition to appointments you make, there are certain periodic evaluations that are recommended based on your age and sex. It is a very good idea to follow-through with these exams because they have been found to significantly improve the likelihood of catching a disease process in its initial stages, at which you can be more effectively treated and thereby live a longer and healthier life. With that benefit in mind, we've started an important new capability to notify people of preventive health exams
You will now receive an automated reminder for a service you or a family member may not even know you need. The call will say that you need a preventive exam. Examples of such exams would be colon screenings, PAP smears, mammograms and diabetic lab work and exams. You will be asked to call our appointment line during duty hours. The appointment clerk will get some contact information so your health care team's nurse can call you back. The preventive exam cannot be disclosed (due to privacy rules) on the automated message but will be fully discussed with you by your team's nurse.
We're focused on preventive health care rather than reactive medical care; we want to keep you and your family healthy. Please follow up with us when we notify you of needed exams. If you wish further information on your TRICARE entitlements to preventive exams, please contact our TRICARE office or your provider's team.