Appointments and Referrals

Welcome to the Ireland Army Health Clinic (IRAHC). We are committed to providing you with exceptional healthcare. This guide is designed to help you access our services, understand your TRICARE Prime benefits, and empower you to manage your healthcare with confidence.

Accessing Care at Ireland Army Health Clinic

Whether you need a routine check-up, have an acute illness, or require urgent care, here’s how to get the care you need.

Scheduling  Routine Appointments

You have two convenient options for scheduling an appointment with your Primary Care Manager (PCM):

• By phone: Call the Central Appointment Line at 1-800-493-9602
  • Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 4:00pm
  • Tip: Calling traffic is highest from 7:00am – 9:00am. Calling outside these peak hours may result in shorter wait times.
• Online 24/7: Use the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal
  • Log in with your Common Access Card (CAC) or DS Logon
  • You can request appointments and send secure messages to your care team anytime.

NEW!!! Ireland Ready Care

Are you feeling sick or have a minor injury? Active-duty members and their families enrolled at Ireland Army Health Clinic can access urgent care services by coming in for Ireland Ready Care. Patient’s who walk by 3:00pm-in can now get guaranteed same-day appointments for acute, non-emergency health issues. To help us serve you quickly and effectively, please read the following guidelines before you come in. Is Ireland Ready Care Right for Me?

For anything in the "NOT for" column, please schedule a regular appointment with your Primary Care Manager (PCM).

How It Works & What to Expect

• Who: Active-duty members and their families enrolled at IRAHC.
• When: Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• How: Walk-in or call ahead. Appointments are first-come, first-served.
• Your Provider: You will be seen by a member of our dedicated Ready Care team to address your immediate need. You should not expect to see your regular PCM. Follow-up care with your PCM will be coordinated if necessary.
• Wait Times: Wait times vary based on patient volume. We appreciate your patience.

After-Hours, Urgent, and Emergency Care

Your health needs don't always follow a 9-to-5 schedule. Here’s what to do when you need care outside of normal clinic hours.

• For True Emergencies: If you experience a threat to life, limb, or eyesight, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room immediately. The nearest emergency room to Ireland Army Health Clinic is Baptist Health Hardin in Elizabethtown, KY.
• For Urgent Health Advice: Call the MHS Nurse Advice Line (NAL) at 1-800-TRICARE (874-2273), option 1.
• Available 24/7, this service connects you with a registered nurse who can provide medical advice, help you find the nearest urgent care center, and schedule next-day appointments at IRAHC if needed.
• Active-duty Service Members: You must call the Nurse Advice Line to receive a referral before visiting a civilian urgent care center to avoid out-of-pocket costs.

Understanding Your TRICARE Prime Benefits

As a TRICARE Prime enrollee, your healthcare is managed by your Primary Care Manager (PCM) to ensure you receive coordinated and comprehensive care.

Referrals: Your Gateway to Specialty Care

A referral is an approval from your PCM to see a provider outside of your assigned clinic.

• Who Needs a Referral? All Active-Duty Service Members and TRICARE Prime beneficiaries require a referral from their PCM before seeking care from a specialty provider or any civilian provider (including urgent care).
• How Do I Get a Referral? Your PCM will submit a referral request on your behalf. Your TRICARE contractor (Humana Military) will then process it, typically within 7-10 business days. You will be referred to a military facility first if available.
• What if I Don't Get a Referral? If you are a Prime beneficiary and see a specialist without a referral, you will be using the Point-of-Service (POS) option and will incur higher out-of-pocket costs. The POS option is not available for Active-Duty Service Members.
• How Do I Check My Referral Status? Log in to the Humana Military Portal to view the status of your referrals and authorizations.

Pre-Authorization

Some medical services, such as hospice care, home health care, or Applied Behavior Analysis, require pre-authorization from TRICARE to verify that the service is medically necessary and covered by your plan. Your provider will typically handle this process for you.

Travel for Specialty Care

• Travel Reimbursement: If you have a referral for specialty care that is more than 100 miles from IRAHC, you may be eligible for travel reimbursement. Learn more at the TRICARE Prime Travel Benefit page.
• Transportation to Fort Campbell: A free shuttle service is available for Service Members with a confirmed specialty appointment at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital. Click here for more information.

Tools to Manage Your Healthcare

Take control of your health information with these powerful digital tools.
MHS GENESIS Patient Portal Your 24/7 secure gateway to your health record. Use it to:

•   Schedule and cancel appointments.
•   Communicate securely with your provider.
•   View your health information and vaccination records.
• When searching for IRAHC, use the keyword "Knox".
• Helpful Videos:
• Patient Portal Registration
• DS Logon Tutorial
• TRICARE East Region Patient Portal - Visit this portal for information on referrals, claims, and enrollment.