HONOLULU – The Defense Health Agency Region Indo-Pacific (DHAR-IP) today announced that it will extend offering medical assessments to impacted civilians exposed to Red Hill contaminants beginning April 10, 2023.
DHAR-IP is offering a medical assessment and, if deemed medically necessary, care at the Red Hill Clinic at Branch Health Clinic Makalapa, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, or at Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, on a space-available and non-reimbursable basis until March 10, 2024.
Any civilian who resided in housing served by the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Water Distribution System, or who worked full- or part-time on the base or any DOD facility served by the base between Nov. 20, 2021 and March 18, 2022, and who are experiencing persistent symptoms the individual attributes to jet fuel contamination are invited to call to schedule their medical assessment.
Appointments will be available Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. HST. Days vary depending on base access.
Individuals may contact the TRICARE Nurse Advice Line to begin the appointing process. Call 800-874-2273, select option 1, and request an appointment at the Red Hill Clinic. The TRICARE Nurse Advice Line is available 24/7. Please be mindful that wait times may be long due to high demand.
Individuals will be asked if they have access to the military bases where medical facilities are located. Those without access to military bases will receive additional information on accessing the Red Hill Clinic during the appointment booking process.
Upon completion of the initial health assessment, individuals will receive a letter determining further eligibility for care. These assessments have been authorized by the Honorable Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr., Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, who has conferred Secretarial Designee (SECDES) status to civilians
potentially exposed to the jet fuel contamination of the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Water Distribution System.
SECDES status does not establish an entitlement to civilian health care at DOD expense or to health care at any other military medical treatment facility.
In addition to seeing patients with SECDES status, the Red Hill Clinic still offers dedicated patient care and expedited referrals to specialty care as needed for DOD beneficiaries, including active duty service members, TRICARE Prime, and TRICARE Select patients.
DHAR-IP is committed to patient safety and well-being and will continue marshalling all necessary resources to address health concerns of impacted individuals by applying the best available medical evidence and recommended practices.
For more information, please visit https://nhchawaii.tricare.mil/Clinics/BHC-Makalapa/Red-Hill-Clinic.
Questions related to the Secretarial Designation should be directed to DHA Media Relations at dha.ncr.comm.cal.dha-media@health.mil.
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The Defense Health Agency (DHA) provides health services to approximately 9.6 million beneficiaries, including uniformed service members, military retirees, and their families. The DHA operates one of the nation’s largest health plans, the TRICARE Health Plan, and manages a global network of more than 450 military hospitals, clinics, and dental facilities.
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