Medical Care

The US Naval Hospital, Sigonella is a three level, 98,000-square foot hospital completed in 1993. A major quality-of-life improvement for the community, the hospital and it's TRICARE Preferred Provider Network (host-nation providers) offer many of the necessary medical specialties that would preclude a need for medical evacuation to European/CONUS Medical Treatment Facilities.

The following medical services are available: cardiology*, obstetrics, ophthalmology*, optometry, orthopedics, pediatrics, internal medicine, radiology, aviation medicine, dietetics, general surgery, family practice, dermatology*, allergy*, physical therapy, outpatient mental health and neurology*. Those services marked with an asterisk (*) are also available through local national providers. Intensive Care and Urology services are not available. Medical facilities are also available on NAS II at the Flight Line Clinic for active duty personnel and for occupational health care needs. Medical services there are limited to outpatient care such as sick call, physical examinations, aviation medicine and limited emergency services on both a walk-in and appointment basis. Any person with extensive or pre-existing medical problems who require regular specialty care not available locally should not transfer to Sigonella. Overseas screening must be completed in accordance with OPNAVINST 1300.14A well before your potential transfer. Sponsors with family members that have a long-term/chronic physical or mental condition must seek enrollment in the Exceptional Family Member (EFM) program prior to Overseas Screening.

For more information you should contact the Overseas Screening/EFM Coordinator at your nearest medical facility. Personnel transferring to Sigonella that are expecting to deliver a child within three months of arrival should carry the following documents with them-not in their household goods-and have them available at the time of delivery:

• Birth certificates of both parents with the raised state seals.

• Marriage licenses with raised state seals

• Divorce decrees and marriage licenses from any previous marriage or any other legal documents showing name changes.

• Any naturalization or citizenship documents, if not born in the United States.

Upon arrival to the island, beneficiaries will receive information specific to TRICARE Europe programs in Sigonella during base indoctrination. All Active Duty will be enrolled in TRICARE Europe Prime, with Active Duty Family members being highly encouraged to consider enrollment in TRICARE Europe Prime. As of the printing of this book, TRICARE Prime is not offered to Retired Members or their family members in Europe. Civilian employees are required to obtain commercial health insurance prior to arrival in Sigonella. You will need to bring outpatient records for you and your family, which will be collected on the first day of indoctrination.

Prescription drugs can sometimes be difficult to obtain overseas. Those taking prescription medications should obtain the maximum quantity allowed from their Primary Care Manager (PCM) before transferring overseas. Upon arrival at Sigonella, verify the availability of the prescription with the pharmacy to ensure resupply. Those wearing contact lenses are strongly urged to bring at least one set of backup lenses and a current prescription pair of glasses due to possible irritation from Mount Etna's volcanic dust. The volcanic dust often aggravates respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia or allergies to dusts, hay fever or chronic sinusitis. The staff of the U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella are committed to be the best military health care team, the first choice for quality health care and operational support, emphasizing readiness and customer satisfaction.

Dental Care

Routine and emergency dental care is provided for active duty service members and their sponsored family members. Contingency demands for treatment of fleet personnel may occasionally limit access to care for family members. Both active duty personnel and their family members are treated at the NAS I dental clinic located within the U.S. Naval Hospital, Sigonella. Dental services for active duty personnel are also available at the Flight Line Clinic at NAS II. General dental care is available including cleanings and routine fillings. Specialty treatment is available on a limited basis and includes oral surgery, endodontics (root canals), periodontics (gum treatment), prosthodontics (crowns/bridges and dentures), pediatric dentistry (children's dentistry) and orthodontics. Orthodontic care is limited to and primarily intended for continuation of treatment already in progress.

Consequently, family members are highly encouraged to complete the majority of their dental treatment needs prior to arriving in Sigonella. Retirees, federal employees, and their family members are authorized routine dental care on a space available basis. As required by DoD, federal employees and their families are billed for dental care provided. Federal law also makes DoD civilians and their family members ineligible for prosthodontic or orthodontic treatment. Again, completion of all required dental treatment prior to arrival overseas is highly encouraged. Family members should take advantage of the TRICARE Active Duty Family Member Dental Plan to complete their dental needs before arrival. For answers to any questions regarding dental services, contact Branch Dental Clinic, Sigonella, PSC 812 Box 2670, FPO AE 09627-2670 or call DSN: 624-3848 COMM: 011-39-95-56-3848.