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Key things to know about your TRICARE Primary Care Manager
May 15, 2023 — If you’re a new or longtime TRICARE Prime enrollee, you need to know about your primary care manager, or PCM. Your PCM is the health care provider you’ll visit for most of your care. Learn about the role your PCM will play in your health care and your options for choosing or changing your PCM... MORE

A military doctor checks a patient's heartbeat with a stethoscope.

New TRICARE Dental Program premiums start May 1
May 1, 2023 — TRICARE Dental Program premium rates go into effect each year on May 1. Premiums are what you pay each month for TDP coverage. The new TDP rates are effective May 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024... MORE

A dentist uses a set of demonstration teeth to show a patient

TRICARE: Get advice from a nurse 24/7
April 13, 2023 — With the coming of spring, the temperatures warm and the tempo of life picks up. Outdoor activities resume — recreation, yardwork, cookouts — and change of station plans swing into high gear. Amid the busyness of these warmer months, the potential for minor injuries and health concerns may increase. It’s good to know that you have all-the-time access to health information and advice via the Military Health System Nurse Advice Line... MORE

Q&A: Getting urgent care with TRICARE
April 12, 2023 — Getting sick or injured is never convenient. Fortunately, getting urgent care can take away some of the inconvenience of minor illnesses and injuries... MORE

Woman lying on bed while blowing her nose

How to approve your TRICARE home delivery prescription refills
April 4, 2023 — Are your prescriptions enrolled in the TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery automatic refill program, administered by Express Scripts? Here’s a step-by-step guide to approving your prescription drug refills and using the automatic refill program... MORE

Before seeing the dentist, learn what TRICARE Dental Program covers
March 23, 2023 — Whether you’re seeing the dentist for a routine checkup or getting emergency dental care, the TRICARE Dental Program, or TDP, covers a wide variety of dental services. It’s important to know which services TDP covers before your next dental visit... MORE

A dentist probes a woman's teeth with dental tools

TRICARE Pilots and Demonstrations: How You Benefit
March 17, 2023 — TRICARE develops pilots and demonstrations to test new medical services, treatments, and approaches. These include initiatives for autism care, childbirth support and low back pain. Certain groups have the chance to benefit from these services during an evaluation period. You should consider which ones may be helpful for you or a family member... MORE

How does TRICARE cover different types of care?
March 10, 2023 — Do you know where to go if you break a bone? What would you do if you had the flu? It’s good to know the general types of health care available to you -- especially when you need to make a quick decision about where to get care. And knowing how TRICARE covers each type can help you understand your health plan’s costs and rules for getting care... MORE

Medical technician checks patient's blood pressure

Have diabetes? Check supplies, services TRICARE covers
February 28, 2023 — If you have diabetes, you know managing it well is vital to you staying healthy from head to toe. And from medical appointments to glucose monitoring and more, TRICARE can help you live your healthiest life with diabetes... MORE

DOD official: Women's health equity is a real focus for DOD
December 28, 2022 — Health equality for women in service and women beneficiaries is and will remain a top priority for the Department of Defense, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Seileen Mullen made clear during a recent podcast... MORE

A service member gets a checkup at a military hospital or clinic. Women’s health issues are a top priority for the DOD, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Seileen Mullen told the Army Wife Network podcast on Nov. 30. “Empowerment is autonomy,” she said.

Colorectal cancer screening age decreases to 45
November 25, 2022 — Although the overall death rate from colorectal cancer has been on the decline in recent years, it remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. There has also been an increase in colorectal cancer-related death for people younger than 55, and an increase in diagnosis in patients between the ages of 40-49 over the past decade, according to the National Cancer Institute... MORE

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Candida Ferguson, a general surgeon at Naval Hospital Jacksonville, talks with a patient about colorectal cancer screening. The Defense Health Agency established new age recommendations for screenings. Regular screening with a stool test, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer and finding it early.

FDA lifts 'Mad Cow' blood donor ban
November 21, 2022 — A decades-old blood "mad cow" donor ban was recently lifted by the Food and Drug Administration, potentially increasing the nation's blood supply by hundreds of thousands of donors each year... MORE

Preview 2023 TRICARE health plan costs
November 7, 2022 — Every year, TRICARE costs may change based on the law, the federal cost of living adjustment, changes in the cost of health care services and prescription drugs, and other factors. Depending on your TRICARE plan, you may see changes to your costs, including enrollment fees, premiums, cost-shares, and copayments next year... MORE

TRICARE hosts open season webinar Nov. 17
November 4, 2022 — TRICARE Open Season is your once-a-year chance to enroll in or change your TRICARE Prime, US Family Health Plan, or TRICARE Select plan. Don’t miss the “TRICARE Open Season and Your Options” webinar on Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. Central to learn more about this year’s open season. ... MORE

A graphic promoting the Nov. 17 TRICARE Webinar

Can your TRICARE coverage work with other health insurance?
October 20, 2022 — Are you a TRICARE beneficiary? Do you have other health care coverage in addition to your TRICARE plan? You may have employer-sponsored coverage or government health care plans. Or perhaps you have purchased additional coverage through private providers. Students may have health care coverage through their school. These additional plans are known as other health insurance, or OHI. If you have OHI, it’s important to know how you can use it with TRICARE... MORE

Learn more about TRICARE pharmacy benefit at Oct. 20 webinar
October 11, 2022 — Did you know that if you have coverage under a TRICARE health plan, you have TRICARE pharmacy benefits, too? It’s true. The TRICARE Pharmacy Program is comprehensive. It offers accessible and affordable prescription drugs for you and your family. Wherever you live, TRICARE wants you to know how you can use the pharmacy benefit to best meet your needs... MORE

Checklist helps prepare for 2022 TRICARE open season
September 16, 2022 — TRICARE Open Season starts in the fall. That’s the time when most families can make changes to their TRICARE health care coverage for next year. Preparing for open season now can help you make the best selection for you and your family later... MORE

Woman browses her computer while holding a cup

Q&A: What you need to know for federal benefits open season
September 14, 2022 — The Federal Benefits Open Season starts Nov. 14 and ends Dec. 12, 2022. This open season is for dental and vision coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, or FEDVIP... MORE

Make sure you understand recent TRICARE telehealth policy changes
August 30, 2022 — At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Defense Health Agency, or DHA, made several temporary updates to the TRICARE benefit regarding telehealth. These temporary policy updates allowed you to get care safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The DHA has since updated these telehealth policies... MORE

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) made several temporary updates to the TRICARE benefit regarding telehealth. The DHA has since updated these telehealth policies.

5 Health Care Checkups for Your Child Before School Starts
July 26, 2022 — Summer isn’t quite over yet, but it’s almost back-to-school season. For parents, this means that it’s time to make a list of all the things your child needs for the new school year. As you begin to shop for new notebooks, pencils, binders, and clothes, don’t forget your child’s school-related health checklist. Now is the time to schedule appointments and beat the rush, as health care providers are usually busy just before the school year begins. TRICARE provides several clinical preventive services for children... MORE