Oct. 2, 2023

U.S. Military Departments Implement Brandon Act to Improve Mental Health Support

FALLS CHURCH, VA — The three military departments have officially implemented phase one of the Brandon Act with their own policies and procedures to initiate support to service members’ request for mental health assistance. The Brandon Act was signed into law by President Biden on Dec. 27, 2021, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. The former Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Gilbert R. Cisneros Jr., signed a policy on May 5, 2023, to initiate the act within the Department of Defense.

Sept. 26, 2023

TRICARE Dental Program Is Your Ally in the Fight Against Oral Cancer

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — According to the National Institutes of Health, health care providers diagnose about 54,000 new cases of oral cancer per year in the United States. As with all types of cancer, education and early detection are critical. Learn how to spot the warning signs of oral cancer before the disease can spread.

Sept. 20, 2023

TRICARE Q&A: Getting Care With Active Duty Dental Program

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Most active duty service members (ADSMs) get dental care at military dental clinics, also known as military dental treatment facilities (DTFs). However, some care can’t be completed at a DTF. In these cases, you get care from civilian dentists through the Active Duty Dental Program (ADDP).

Sept. 14, 2023

Q&A: TRICARE For Life and Your Family

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Learn how your family’s TRICARE coverage works when one family member becomes eligible for Medicare and TRICARE For Life.

Sept. 6, 2023

TRICARE Tips to Protect Your Teeth in a Dental Emergency

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Dental emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. Fortunately, the TRICARE Dental Program covers emergency dental care. You’ll pay no cost-share for emergency dental services regardless of your pay grade or location. But there are still steps you may need to take to ensure your teeth and gums stay protected in an emergency.

Aug. 29, 2023

Copayments, Cost-Shares, and Other TRICARE Costs You Should Know

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — When it comes to health care costs, “copayment,” “cost-share,” and “deductible” are terms you might hear a lot. But what do these terms mean, and how might they affect you?

Aug. 23, 2023

TRICARE Laboratory Developed Tests Demonstration Extended, Certain Tests Now Covered

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — The Defense Health Agency (DHA) announced the five-year extension of the Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs) Demonstration. This means that if you have TRICARE, you’ll continue to have access to certain LDTs that aren’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The DHA also announced that TRICARE will now cover several preconception and prenatal carrier screenings that were previously offered through the demonstration as part of the basic TRICARE benefit.

Aug. 17, 2023

Stay on Top of TRICARE Prescriptions With Express Scripts App

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Do you need help managing your prescriptions? Express Scripts, the TRICARE pharmacy contractor, has a free, easy-to-use app that can help. The Express Scripts Pharmacy mobile app is a secure way to stay on top of taking your medication. The app is full of useful features, like dose reminders and the ability to approve refills. Here’s a look at some of the ways the app can help you.

Aug. 15, 2023

Have Other Health Insurance? Here’s How It Works With TRICARE

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — If you have coverage in addition to TRICARE through your employer, your spouse’s employer, or a private insurance program, you have other health insurance (OHI). Certain OHI plans can affect your TRICARE health, dental, and pharmacy benefits. Here are six tips to help you learn how TRICARE works when you also use OHI.

Aug. 9, 2023

How To Find Your TRICARE Referrals

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — If you have a TRICARE Prime plan, referrals play a big role in how you get health care. A referral is when your primary care manager (PCM) sends you to see another provider. If your PCM needs to refer you to a civilian provider, your TRICARE regional contractor also plays a role in the referral process.