Health Matters (East) Newsletter

This quarterly newsletter provides information about your TRICARE benefit. This stateside edition contains information specific to beneficiaries living in the East RegionUnder the new regional contracts, the East Region is a merger of the North and South Regions and includes: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa (Rock Island area), Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri (St. Louis area), New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas (excluding El Paso area), Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.. Check the map to find your region.

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Issue 2 | 2022

• How Does TRICARE Change When You Retire From Active Duty?
  If you retire from active duty, you and your family will still qualify for TRICARE, but you must actively enroll into a TRICARE health plan if you want coverage for civilian care. Learn about health plans for retirees and their family members.
• New, Expanded Childbirth and Breastfeeding TRICARE Benefits for Expecting Parents
  TRICARE added new childbirth and breastfeeding services (including certain doulas and lactation specialists) under the Childbirth and Breastfeeding Support Demonstration. Learn about these new benefits for new and expecting parents enrolled in TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select.
• TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery: A Safe, Convenient Way to Get Your Prescriptions
  Choosing the right pharmacy option can save you a great deal of time and money. For many TRICARE beneficiaries, the cheapest, most convenient option is TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery. Discover why home delivery may be right for you.
• How Referrals Work With Your TRICARE Plan
  If you’re an active duty service member or active duty family member enrolled in a TRICARE Prime plan, you need a referral from your primary care manager to seek most specialty care. Learn more about referrals with some helpful facts.
• Is TRICARE Young Adult Right for Your Child?
  Though your child will lose regular TRICARE coverage upon turning age 21 or age 23 if enrolled full time at an approved college, many young-adult children can continue to get medical and pharmacy benefits up until age 26 through TRICARE Young Adult. Here’s what you need to know.
• Webinars and Virtual Community Groups Help You Manage Your Health
  Need help managing your health and wellness? Humana Military offers webinars and virtual community groups to help improve your health and quality of life. Learn how to sign up for an online session.
• Q&A: Non-Covered Services from Network and Participating Non-Network Providers
  Using a non-covered service can mean higher costs, so it’s important to understand the process behind it. Check out these frequently asked questions about the non-covered service process, and how it affects you.

Does TRICARE cover telemental health services?

Yes. You have the option to use telemental health services as part of your TRICARE benefit. Your regional contractor has a network of providers who can evaluate, treat, and refer you as necessary. Telemedicine can be done using live audio and video or audio-only services. You can search for a telemental health provider on your TRICARE contractor’s provider directory. You can also call your regional contractor to request telemental health services or other types of mental health services.

Depending on your TRICARE health plan, you may first need an authorization or referral. Active duty service members need a referral for telemental health care. Contact your regional contractor for more information.

How do I find a network doctor?

Your TRICARE contractor has an established provider network in your region. You can use the Find a Doctor tool to find a network provider. You can also go directly to your TRICARE contractor’s network provider directory and search for a provider in your area:

• East Region (Humana Military)

Does TRICARE cover my care when I travel?

Yes. How you get care depends on your plan and where you’re traveling (U.S., U.S. Territories, or overseas). To learn more, check the Getting Care When Traveling page.

If you think you have an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency facility. If it’s after hours or you aren’t sure if you need to see a doctor, check with the Military Health System Nurse Advice Line. It’s available 24/7 by phone, web chat, and video chat.