March 29, 2022

How to Prevent and Treat Traumatic Brain Injuries

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — According to the Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence, nearly half a million service members have been diagnosed with a first-time traumatic brain injury (TBI) since 2000. Head injuries can happen anywhere. In fact, most TBIs happen when service members are in non-deployed settings. Here’s how you can be ready, and resources to help you prevent or recover from a brain injury.

March 22, 2022

How Referrals Work With Your TRICARE Prime Plan

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Are you enrolled in a TRICARE Prime plan? Then you have a primary care manager (PCM) to handle your basic primary health care services. But what if you need specialty treatment, like from a cardiologist to evaluate a possible heart problem or a dermatologist to check a mole that’s changed? In that case, your PCM needs to submit a referral for you to see a specialist.

Feb. 24, 2022

Tobacco and Your Oral Health

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — There’s a great deal of scientific information that proves using tobacco products is seriously harmful to your health. Nicotine products can increase your risks for cancer of the throat, lungs, and stomach. Also, tobacco products can negatively impact your oral health in several ways.

Feb. 15, 2022

Is Your DEERS Information Up to Date?

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — When is the last time you checked to see if your information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) is up to date? If it’s been a while, take time to log in to DEERS and review your information. Keeping information on you and your family current in DEERS is important. Inaccurate information in the DEERS database could prevent you from being able to use your TRICARE benefits properly.

Feb. 10, 2022

What to Know About Preventive Dental Care

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — These days, it can be easy to forget to make an appointment to see the dentist for a routine checkup. Maybe you brush twice and floss every day.

Jan. 18, 2022

How to Get Urgent Care Under Your TRICARE Health Plan

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Do you have an injury or illness that isn’t quite serious enough for a trip to the emergency room? This might be the right time to go to an urgent care center. Most TRICARE beneficiaries can go to an urgent care center whenever they need to. You just want to be sure to check out and follow the urgent care rules for your health plan.

Dec. 20, 2021

Need Health Advice at Home? Chat With a Nurse 24/7

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — With the threat of flu season added to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, you might not want to go to the doctor’s office for a minor health issue. And with the Military Health System (MHS) Nurse Advice Line, you may not have to. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one of the best ways to prevent flu and COVID-19 is to avoid contact with people who are sick. With the MHS Nurse Advice Line, you can get health advice 24/7 from a registered nurse from the comfort of your home.

Dec. 15, 2021

What You Need to Know About New TRICARE Pharmacy Network Options

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — As of Dec. 15, CVS Pharmacy is a part of the TRICARE retail pharmacy network. At the same time, Walmart, Sam’s Club, and some community pharmacies are no longer a part of the TRICARE network. What does this mean for you? Although the list of retail network pharmacies has changed, you can still get the medications you need.

Nov. 3, 2021

Changes Coming to TRICARE Retail Network Pharmacies

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — There are changes coming soon to the TRICARE retail pharmacy network. Starting Dec. 15, 2021, CVS Pharmacy will join the TRICARE network. At the same time, Walmart, Sam’s Club, and some community pharmacies will leave the network

Sept. 23, 2021

Knowing What’s What: Comparing TRICARE Dental Program Covered Services

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — From routine dental cleanings to oral surgery, the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) gives you access to a wide range of covered dental services. These services are placed into categories, and it’s important to know the differences between them so you’re aware of when and how much you need to pay for care.