HONOLOLU, Hawaii –
Good news for the U.S. military community in Japan: navigating your healthcare just got easier! The recently-released Japan Patient Guidebook is a comprehensive tool designed for all local TRICARE beneficiaries and includes additional information for Department of War civilians who do not have TRICARE coverage. Inside, beneficiaries will find useful information for enrollment in Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, understanding the TRICARE plan, finding a Military Medical Treatment Facility, making appointments, accessing online resources, ordering medication and more.
The Japan Patient Guidebook was designed to be a one-stop resource for the military community to get the information they need to access reliable, world-class medical care.
“This guidebook was an important collaboration of the three networks that operate Military Medical and Dental Treatment Facilities in Japan as part of the Defense Health Agency: Defense Health Networks Central, Indo-Pacific and Pacific Rim,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Andrew Landers, the director of Defense Health Network Indo-Pacific. “We want to make it as easy as possible for active-duty servicemembers, family members, retirees and DoW civilians to get the care they need.”
There are six major medical and dental facilities and multiple supporting clinics in Japan, with more than 3,000 staff members -- including Army, Navy, Air Force, and civilian care providers. The U.S. Military Health System in Japan covers the Japanese main islands and Okinawa, and there are additional support programs for those receiving care in the Japanese system. For instance, the U.S. Army Japan Civilian Healthcare Navigator Program provides language support and access at Zama General Hospital for SOFA-status, non-TRICARE eligible civilians, contractors, and family members assigned to Camp Zama. There is also a DoW pilot health insurance program to assist DoW civilian employees get care in Japan. The program is managed by International SOS and assists eligible civilian employees with healthcare navigation and upfront costs associated with accessing Japan's healthcare system.
“The MHS in Japan is unique, and this guide will help our community get the care they need both on and off the installation,” said Landers. “There is also information for our civilian team members to get space-available care in our facilities or get help navigating the Japanese healthcare system.”
Some of the differences in Japan include the TRICARE Overseas Program, which is administered by International SOS, overseas screening requirements, vaccine guidelines, prescriptions, birth registration, emergency care, and more. The guidebook also provides information about labs and radiology, mental health resources, women’s health, and additional resources, like patients’ rights and how to prepare for an appointment.
Military healthcare covered by TRICARE is a benefit earned by military members, but it also contributes to military readiness.
“Medical readiness is combat readiness,” said Landers. “Personal readiness is combat readiness. When the next crisis emerges, our military force will be ready to execute the mission because we have an exceptional team of military and civilian medical providers keeping the force healthy and ready. When our service members become ill or injured, they can count on the highest caliber of medical care. And they can rest assured we will take care of their families as well.”
The Japan Patient Guidebook is
available online.