Offutt's TRICARE Service Center Closes permanently April 1 Published March 14, 2014 By 2nd Lt. Carly A. Costello 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The TRICARE Service Center at the Ehrling Bergquist Clinic is scheduled to close April 1 along with 189 other stateside service centers. This change will not affect TRICARE Service Centers overseas. Instead, all eligible beneficiaries will be able to access all TRICARE services either online, or by talking to a representative using a toll free number. Service centers have been around since the inception of the TRICARE program, but with the increase of beneficiaries using the Internet and phone options for their customer service needs, the need for a walk-in service has not proved cost effective, according to Heather Jackson, TRICARE Operations Element chief at Offutt. The change comes as a way to reduce the costs of administering TRICARE, saving the government approximately $50 million a year. Closing the TRICARE Service Centers supports the Department of Defense's efforts to control the rising cost of providing healthcare for our 9.6 million beneficiaries without impacting healthcare benefits. "TRICARE Service Centers were a necessity in the early days of TRICARE because the benefit was so new to many of us," said Col. Stephen Mounts, 55th Medical Group commander. "The advanced nature of online and telephone customer support now makes it possible to move away from the walk-in model. The online services such as the ability to view claims and referral authorizations, request a change of primary care manager or to verify eligibility are secure and convenient. They also allow our customers to avoid unnecessary trips to the medical facility, ultimately saving them time." Some beneficiaries have voiced their concern about the closure, but Jackson and the 55th Medical Group leadership assures beneficiaries they will receive the same assistance they would in person through the online or phone formats. "Please be assured that closing the TRICARE Service Center at Offutt does not change the TRICARE benefit in any way," Mounts said. "Likewise, throughout this transition, our team's priority will remain timely access to patient care services and treatment for our eligible families. To access TRICARE services after April 1 call 1-877-988-WEST or visit www.TRICARE.mil.