June 16, 2022

Continuous Glucose Monitors Now Available as a TRICARE Pharmacy Benefit

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — If you use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), you’re in luck. TRICARE Pharmacy Program now covers two brands of CGMs. These are the Abbott FreeStyle Libre 2 and the Dexcom G6. Previously, CGMs were only available as durable medical equipment (DME) under the TRICARE medical benefit. CGMs continue to be covered as a DME medical benefit, but they’re also now available as part of your pharmacy benefit.

May 24, 2022

Mental Health is a Team Effort

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — The Military Health System offers a wide variety of mental health care options. Across the health care system, psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, and therapists work together to help beneficiaries find the right provider or combination of providers.

May 10, 2022

How Does TRICARE Change When You Retire from Active Duty?

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Many active duty service members (ADSMs) may eventually retire from their branch of the uniformed services. If you’re an ADSM, are you prepared to make the transition to civilian life?

April 28, 2022

10 TRICARE Health Care Terms You Should Know

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Have you recently come across a health care term and weren’t quite sure what it meant? It’s OK. Health care coverage is full of terms you may not know. To help you better understand your TRICARE benefit, here’s a list of commonly used health care terms and definitions.

April 19, 2022

Pre-Authorization and Medical Necessity for Prescription Drugs: What You Need to Know

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Prescription drugs are tools meant to support your overall health. TRICARE has procedures to make sure you get the right prescription drug to treat your condition. You must sometimes work with your doctor to get approval for coverage of certain drugs. Two examples of this are pre-authorization (also known as prior authorization) and medical necessity.

April 7, 2022

Do You Need All 4 Parts of Medicare for TRICARE For Life?

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Do you have Medicare, or will you soon be eligible to enroll? Medicare has four Parts: A, B, C, and D. It’s important that you understand how each part differs and which parts you’ll need for TRICARE For Life (TFL).

April 5, 2022

New, Expanded Childbirth and Breastfeeding TRICARE Benefits for Expecting Parents

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Are you an expecting parent? Are you thinking of having a child? TRICARE is now providing more options to those who are planning to expand their family. As of Jan. 1, TRICARE added new childbirth and breastfeeding benefits under the Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration (CBSD). CBSD is for those enrolled in TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select in the U.S. under one of the TRICARE regional contractors.

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.

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.