June 30, 2022

New to TRICARE? Handbook Helps You Learn Your Health Plan Options

Whether you're on active duty, separating from service, retiring, or a family member, the TRICARE Choices in the United States Handbook can help you learn about your stateside health plan options. It also describes your pharmacy, dental, and vision coverage options.

June 28, 2022

Make Sure Your Child Takes the Right TRICARE Plan to College

For many parents, summer is a time of preparation, as they help their children get ready to move away to college. For your child, it might be their first time away from home. Will they have health care if they get sick or injured? Fortunately, your child’s TRICARE coverage will stay with them in college if enrolled full-time and meeting eligibility requirements.

May 12, 2022

Retiree Newsletter - The Long Blue Line - Spring 2022

THE LONG BLUE LINE, SPRING 2022, YOUR RETIREE NEWSLETTER & MORE, along with previous issues of the LBL, are accessible at: https://www.longblueline.org/

April 28, 2022

10 TRICARE Health Care Terms You Should Know

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.

Feb. 16, 2022

Is Your DEERS Information Up to Date?

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. Inaccurate information in the DEERS database could prevent you from being able to use your TRICARE benefits properly.

Jan. 12, 2022

Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)-VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Off-Set Phase Out

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 changed the way that Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity payments are reduced (off-set) by the receipt of VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).

Jan. 11, 2022

Nebraska to Exempt Military Retired Pay from State Income Tax Beginning in 2022

On 26 May 2021, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts signed Legislative Bill (LB) 387 into law, allowing 100% of military retirement pay to be exempted from Nebraska income tax starting January 1, 2022.

Jan. 11, 2022

Arizona Exempts Military Retired Pay from State Income Tax

Military Pension Subtraction: For 2021 the subtraction for benefits, annuities and pensions as retired or retainer pay of the uniforms services has increased from a maximum of $3,500 to 100% of the amount received during 2021. This means that benefits, annuities and pensions as retired or retainer pay of the uniformed services are no longer taxable in Arizona.

Dec. 13, 2021

TRICARE Pharmacy Network Changes and TRICARE For Life

CVS Pharmacy is joining the TRICARE retail pharmacy network on Dec. 15. At the same time, Walmart, Sam's Club, and some community pharmacies are leaving the network. If you're a TRICARE For Life beneficiary, you may be wondering how these changes affect the coverage of your current drugs.

Dec. 5, 2021

Defense Department Announces Cost of Living Increase to Retired Pay

The following Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) are effective December 1, 2021, based on the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) through the third quarter calendar year 2021. The term "retired pay" includes retainer pay and the term "members" includes former members.

Nov. 19, 2021

Answering Your Questions About TRICARE Explanation of Benefits

Have you seen your doctor recently? If so, you should have access to an explanation of benefits (EOB). Your EOB is an itemized statement that shows the action TRICARE has taken on claims filed by you or your provider. An EOB isn't a bill.

Oct. 28, 2021

Reminder: If your retirement date is on or after 1 January, 2022, as of 1 November 2021, PPC/RAS will no longer accept Form CG-4700 as your application for retirement pay

CG Form 4700, Coast Guard, PHS & NOAA Retired Pay Account Worksheet and Survivor Benefit Plan Election is being phased out. Coast Guard, PHS and NOAA personnel will join their DoD counterparts and begin using DD Form 2656, Data for Payment of Retired Personnel to establish their retired pay accounts at the Pay & Personnel Center.

Oct. 26, 2021

Check Out New Podcast Episode on Medicare and TRICARE For Life

Want to learn more about the different parts of Medicare? Have questions about which Medicare Parts you need to have TRICARE For Life (TFL) coverage? Check out the latest "TRICARE For Life 101" series episode about Medicare and TFL.

Sept. 29, 2021

TRICARE Pharmacy Copayments to Increase in 2022

Do you get your prescription drugs through TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery or at a TRICARE retail network pharmacy? If so, you'll pay anywhere from $1 to $8 more in copayments starting Jan. 1. These costs changes won't affect all beneficiaries.

Sept. 16, 2021

Plan Ahead for Disasters With TRICARE

This year, we've seen the devastating effects of hurricanes, floods, snowstorms, and wildfires both in the U.S. and overseas. It's a stark reminder that natural disasters can happen anytime and anywhere. Planning ahead and staying informed can help keep you and your family safe.