UnitedHealthcare transition, referrals Published Feb. 12, 2013 By 412th Medical Group EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Beginning April 1, UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans will become the West Region Managed Care Support contractor. As part of the transition, referrals written prior to April 1 will expire May 31, 2013.. The 412th Medical Group urges patients to proactively book appointments to prevent delays in receiving care. If the referral does expire, please call (661) 277-7118 to book an appointment and receive a new referral. Referrals written starting April 1 will last the usual six months. For any questions regarding referrals, please contact the referral management center at (661) 277-2259. UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group company, was awarded the Department of Defense's TRICARE Managed Care Support contract to provide health care services for active duty and retired military service members and their families in the West Region. UnitedHealth Military & Veterans Services will be the Managed Care Support contractor serving nearly 2.9 million TRICARE beneficiaries in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa (excluding Rock Island Arsenal area), Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri (excluding the St. Louis area), Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, portions of Texas (including El Paso), Utah, Washington and Wyoming.