Naval Hospital opens doors to 9,000 more patients

Naval Hospital opens doors to 9,000 more patients
By THOMAS BRENNAN Daily News Staff
JD News.com
Published: Friday, August 30, 2013

An expansion at the base hospital means there is now room for 9,000 additional patients — and base officials say that may mean a change in providers for some patients who currently receive care from the civilian sector.

The Naval Hospital aboard Camp Lejeune has begun seeing patients in its newest wing, making them capable of caring for more than 31,000 patients across the hospital’s directorates. The additional services include family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics.

For those currently being seen out in town by a civilian provider, a letter will be mailed to them directing them to the Naval Hospital for future care. People who do not wish to interrupt their continuity of care can request to opt out by writing a letter, which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, according to Navy Capt. David Lane, the commanding officer of the Naval Hospital.

“We’ve had a voluntary (enrollment) program since May that has increased our enrollment numbers, but only marginally,” Lane said. “We want people on base or within 30 minutes to be seen at our facility. ...We want to be the medical center of choice.”

Fifteen percent of the slots now available — or 4,800 — will be made available to retirees, including those older than 65.
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