The Naval Hospital is a tenant command of NAS Sigonella and maintains https://sigonella.tricare.mil/  which has a complete overview of all services available.

The Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) permits the U.S. Naval Hospital to provide medical care to U.S. military personnel both active duty and retired, their bona fide family members, and other specified U.S. personnel who are present in Sicily, Italy by virtue of their support of NATO organizations.

Overseas Screening

You should immediately begin the process of overseas screening for you and your family as soon as you have orders in hand. This typically consists of medical examinations, inoculations and an interview with a command representative. Your command’s administrative department should have all the details on this process, so contact them immediately.

Additionally, if you or one of your family members has a change in their medical condition after completion of their overseas screening, notify your command at once.

You should contact your respective medical facility to begin the overseas immunization series far enough in advance so a last minute rush is avoided. Having to get several shots at once can be painful, especially for children.

An “International Certificate of Vaccination” (PHS Form 731) is required and will be issued before leaving the United States when you have completed the required shots. Booster shots are given as required at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Sigonella.

Measles outbreaks in Europe continue:  Make sure your child is fully immunized against the disease

Consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella recommends children ages 6 through 11-months-old, especially those in day care, be immunized with the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine as part of their routine 6-month-old pediatric visit due to the recent outbreaks in Europe.  This is earlier, and in addition to the recommended two doses children normally receive starting after their first birthday for long-term immunity.   

Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus that is easily spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.  The virus can linger in the air of a room or transportation vehicle for up to two hours.  According to CDC, 90 percent of people around a person with measles will become infected unless they are protected.   Measles can be a very serious, even fatal, illness and is especially severe in babies and elderly persons.  Fortunately, vaccination against measles is extremely effective in preventing infection.

While measles is not very common in the United States, there is an ongoing measles outbreak in many European countries, to include a recent CDC travel alert for Belgium, Italy and Germany.  It is especially important for parents and guardians living in or visiting Europe to ensure their children—as well as themselves and friends—are protected by getting vaccinated.   Adults and children not vaccinated for measles could be at risk for contracting the illness due to the outbreak.

As above, the CDC recommends that all children 12 months of age or older who are located in regions with a higher threat of measles should receive two doses of MMR.  The second MMR dose is recommended at least 28 days after the first dose.  The Medical Home Port and the Immunizations Clinics at U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella are standing by to assist you in this important effort.   

For more information on protecting your infant with an early dose of measles vaccine, or assistance reviewing family members' immunization status, please contact your Medical Home Port  team at 095-56-4622 or call the Immunizations Clinic at 095-56-4643.  The CDC website is also a great resource for general information about measles as well as current travel advisories, https://www.cdc.gov/features/measles.

Because not all subspecialty medical and surgical services are available, an overseas screening process must be completed by all military, civilian personnel and their family members prior to their arrival in Italy.

Medical Treatment

Patients with medical problems that exceed Naval Hospital capabilities must be transferred either to local community healthcare services or other military treatment facilities in Europe or CONUS via the military medical evacuation system.

Primary Care Clinic

Urgent care appointments may be obtained by calling for a same-day or next-day appointment. Routine appointments may be scheduled as necessary. Call DSN 624-2273 or local commercial 095-56-2273 - Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Emergency Care/Ambulance Request

Emergency care is available in the Emergency Department 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The non-emergency Emergency Department phone numbers are: DSN 624-3844 or local commercial 095-56-3844.
The ambulance request line is DSN 624-1911/5255 or local commercial 095-86-1911/5255. The ambulance dispatcher will determine the most appropriate medical response team and have either an American or Italian rescue crew dispatched to your location.

Power Of Attorney

Minor children not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian cannot receive care unless a special power of attorney has been obtained from Naval Legal Services Office and is present in the child’s medical record.

Questions concerning medical care should be directed to:

U.S. Naval Hospital,
Sigonella Italy
PSC 836 Box 2670
FPO AE 09636-2670
ATTN Head,
Patient Administration
DSN 624-4842,
comm. 095-56-4842

Important Phone Numbers
Central Appointment - DSN 624-4530
comm. 095-56-4530
Emergency Department - DSN 624-3844
Emergency Department - comm. 095-56-3844
Ambulance request line - DSN 624-1911/5255
comm. 095-86-1911/5255

Tricare Europe

TRICARE Europe offers beneficiaries two options in the TRICARE system. TRICARE Standard is your standard CHAMPUS benefit and will always be available. TRICARE Prime is an enrollment plan for your healthcare. All active duty is required to enroll in TRICARE Prime. By enrolling in TRICARE Prime you will be assigned a Primary Care Manager (PCM) who is responsible for your entire healthcare needs. Enrolling in TRICARE Prime costs you nothing. If you need to use a provider in the local community (for a covered benefit) you will not incur a cost share or deductible that is incurred under the Standard TRICARE/CHAMPUS plan.

Your PCM will be a military provider located at the U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella located on NAS I or the Flight Line Clinic located on NAS II. If you need specialty care that cannot be provided at the Naval Hospital, you may be referred to our Preferred Provider Network (PPN) in the local community. All Preferred Providers meet our credential standards, have signed Memorandums of Understanding with the U.S. Naval Hospital and most speak English. We provide transportation and translation services to PPN appointments when necessary.

For more information about TRICARE please contact the Managed Care Office at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Sigonella by calling DSN 624-4880 or commercial 095-56-4880.

Dental care

Dental care is available at the Naval Hospital. For appointments call DSN 624-4205/3848. The dental clinics provide a wide range of dental services. Priority for treatment is highest for active duty and active duty family members, then retirees, family members of retirees, and DoD civilians, in that order. Appointments may be limited due to staffing constraints.

Prosthodontics and Orthodontics are limited in their availability. Prosthodontics is limited by the demand created by active duty personnel. Orthodontic care is provided primarily to continue treatment initiated in CONUS prior to receipt of orders overseas. Patients who have braces placed after receipt of orders to Sigonella are not eligible for continuation of treatment. Rarely, a few new orthodontic patients are accepted for treatment, and these are selected primarily based upon the severity of the case. It is strongly recommended that patients be in good dental health prior to departing the United States for their assignment to the Sigonella area.

DoD civilians and their family members are eligible for “space available care”. Federal law makes DoD civilians INELIGIBLE for prosthodontics and orthodontics, even if treatment was started prior to receipt of their job assignment to Sigonella. A fee for treatment, as determined by DoD, is charged for all dental work and services rendered to DoD civilians. Space availability is extremely limited for DoD civilians and their family members, and it is strongly recommended that all dental treatment be completed prior to arrival in the Sigonella area.