Have medical questions? Call the TRICARE Nurse Advice Line Published June 2, 2014 By 45th Medical Group 45th Medical Group PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Need medical advice fast but want to avoid unnecessary office visits? It always seems to happen at the most inconvenient time or place. A worrisome health issue comes up and you've got questions. If only you had a medical professional standing by to answer your immediate questions over the phone no matter when or where. In today's world of tweets, texting and email, now there is a way for you to seek medical help for acute health problems at a moment's notice. TRICARE beneficiaries in the United States, Alaska and Hawaii can now call the Nurse Advice Line (NAL) 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273), Option 1, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for professional medical advice. The TRICARE Nurse Advice provides around-the-clock access to medical information and advice. The Nurse Advice Line provides: · Registered nurses who can answer questions, provide self-care advice and help you decide if you need to seek immediate care. · Make same-day appointments with the beneficiary's primary care manager for TRICARE Prime beneficiaries who are enrolled in the Military Treatment Facilities Our pediatric team recognizes how frustrating it can be for busy parents trying to get in to see a physician at a moment's notice for medical needs. With the Nurse Advice Line, beneficiaries can get access around-the-clock to medical information and advice. For pediatric issues, the Nurse Advice Line will route the beneficiary to a pediatric nurse for counseling and, if follow-up is necessary or requested, the NAL will call the beneficiary back to check the child's status a few hours later. "Taking care of our people is our #1 goal and the Nurse Advice Line allows patients to reach registered nurses who can answer questions, provide self-care advice and help you decide if you need to seek immediate care at any time," said Col. Allison Bowden, 45th Medical Group Commander. Bowden wants all clinic patients to know that the Nurse Advice Line is another avenue to reach qualified medical professionals at a moment's notice. Sometimes it is difficult to know if and when to seek medical help for acute health problems, so having access to professional advice at a moment's notice is invaluable. Improved communication between health care teams and our patients leads to better health in our community and ultimately improves mission capability. Our target is to get all of our Patrick Air Force Base patients connected quickly with medical professionals for their healthcare needs and the Nurse Advice Line does just that.