14th Medical Group Columbus AFB: TRICARE Guide

The 14th Medical Group (14 MDG) at Columbus Air Force Base serves as the primary outpatient healthcare facility for the "Korrals" of the 14th Flying Training Wing. While it does not have an emergency room or inpatient beds, it provides comprehensive primary care, flight medicine, and pharmacy services to active duty airmen, their dependents, and retirees using TRICARE Prime or Select.

*Disclaimer: TRICARE.com is an independent reference site and is not the official TRICARE program or affiliated with the Department of Defense. For official policy and records, visit TRICARE.mil.*

In detail

The 14th Medical Group is located in East Mississippi and operates under the TRICARE East Region (managed by Humana Military). Because Columbus AFB is a pilot training base, the facility has a heavy focus on Flight Medicine and Aerospace Physiology.

### Medical Services Available The clinic operates primarily as an outpatient facility. Services include: * **Family Practice & Pediatrics:** Routine exams, immunizations, and acute care. * **Flight Medicine:** Specialized care for student pilots and instructors. * **Dental:** Active duty only (emergency dental available for others on a limited basis). * **Pharmacy:** Full-service pharmacy for new prescriptions and refills. * **Support Services:** Optometry, Physical Therapy, Mental Health, and Laboratory/Radiology.

### Accessing Specialty Care Because 14 MDG is a limited-scope clinic, complex surgeries, labor and delivery, and specialty consultations (like oncology or cardiology) are referred to the TRICARE network. Common referral destinations include: * Baptist Memorial Hospital–Golden Triangle (Columbus, MS). * North Mississippi Medical Center (Tupelo, MS). * Specialized facilities in Birmingham, AL or Jackson, MS.

### 2026 TRICARE Enrollment & Costs Beneficiaries assigned to Columbus AFB typically use one of two main plans. For 2026, costs depend on the sponsor's status and "Group" (Group A joined before 2018; Group B joined after):

### Appointments and Contact To book an appointment at 14 MDG, patients use the TRICARE Online Patient Portal (MHS GENESIS) or the central appointment line. * **Appointment Line:** (662) 434-2273 * **After Hours:** The Nurse Advice Line (1-800-TRICARE) provides guidance when the clinic is closed.

Who this applies to

* **Active Duty Airmen:** Required to enroll in TRICARE Prime and receive all primary care at the 14 MDG. * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFM):** Can choose Prime (care at 14 MDG) or Select (care with local civilian doctors like those at Baptist Memorial). * **Retirees & Survivors:** May use the 14 MDG on a space-available basis, though most in the Columbus area utilize TRICARE Select to access a wider network of providers. * **Student Pilots:** Subject to strict Flight Medicine requirements at the clinic to maintain "Up" status for flying duties.

Common scenarios

**1. The Student Pilot Personal Health Need** Second Lieutenant Smith, a student pilot at Columbus AFB, develops a sinus infection. Because he is Active Duty, he must visit 14 MDG Flight Medicine. His cost is **$0 (2026 rates)**. If he requires a specialist, 14 MDG will coordinate a referral through Humana Military to a civilian ENT in Columbus.

**2. The Retiree Prescription Refill** A retired Master Sergeant living in Lowndes County uses TRICARE Select. He sees a civilian cardiologist in Birmingham but has his maintenance prescriptions sent to the 14 MDG Pharmacy. By picking up his medication at the base pharmacy rather than a retail store or mail order, his out-of-pocket cost is **$0 (2026 rates)**.

**3. Urgent Care for a Spouse** An Active Duty spouse enrolled in TRICARE Prime at 14 MDG needs care on a Saturday when the base clinic is closed. Under current 14 MDG policy and TRICARE rules, Prime-enrolled family members can typically visit a TRICARE-authorized Urgent Care center (like those in downtown Columbus) without a referral. Most 2026 copays for urgent care for Prime ADFMs are **$0**, but they must ensure the facility is in-network with Humana Military.

Related terms

* **MHS GENESIS:** The new electronic health record system used for appointments and messaging at Columbus AFB. * **Humana Military:** The TRICARE East Region contractor responsible for the provider network surrounding Columbus AFB. * **Space-Available Care:** A policy where retirees are seen at 14 MDG only if there are open slots after all active duty needs are met. * **PCM (Primary Care Manager):** The specific doctor or team at 14 MDG assigned to manage a beneficiary's healthcare. * **MTF (Military Treatment Facility):** The formal acronym for the 14 MDG clinic building.

Sources

1. **Columbus AFB 14th Medical Group Official Site:** https://columbus.tricare.mil/ 2. **TRICARE East Region Site (Humana Military):** https://www.humanamilitary.com/ 3. **TRICARE Plan Finder/Costs:** https://www.tricare.mil/Costs 4. **14th Flying Training Wing Information:** https://www.columbus.af.mil/ units/14th-Medical-Group/