Sept. 27, 2022

Seeking Mental Health Services? Learn What TRICARE Covers

If left untreated, mental health challenges could affect your physical health. TRICARE covers a variety of mental health services to help you get care so you can stay balanced, in both mind and body.

Sept. 27, 2022

ALCOAST 360/22, E-Gov Travel System (ETS) Implementation Update Four

This ALCOAST provides guidance for ETS use in preparation for FY23 and required actions for users and approvers.

Sept. 23, 2022

Commandant Hosts 40th Annual CG National Retiree Council Meeting

This year’s meeting was held in a hybrid format. During the meeting, the CGNRC discussed ways to support efforts to transition active duty members of the Coast Guard into civilian life and to “better connect active duty members and retirees,” according to Bob Hinds, Retiree Services Program manager.

Sept. 21, 2022

Prepare for Upcoming Direct Access Outage

ALCOAST 350/22 announces necessary preparations in advance of the scheduled system outage to Direct Access. The system outage is required to support the Disaster Recovery Test of the Coast Guard's Human Capital Management system. The test is scheduled to begin at 0600 (Eastern Time), Friday, October 14 and should be completed by 0600 (Eastern Time), Saturday, October 15, 2022. The system will not be available to login or use during the test.

Sept. 21, 2022

How Divorce Impacts Your TRICARE Benefits

Thinking about your TRICARE benefits may be the last thought on your mind during a divorce, but it's something you must consider. It’s important you understand how your TRICARE coverage may change for you, your children, and your ex-spouse.

Sept. 19, 2022

Procedures for the Recall to Active Duty of Retired Reservists

Reservists may be recalled, at their consent, for voluntary orders such as Active Duty for Operational Support and Extended Active Duty. This policy also includes the recall of retired reservists.

Sept. 16, 2022

Registration for the Virtual Benefits Fair is Now Open!

The annual Virtual Benefits Fair will be available throughout the 2022 Federal Benefits Open Season. The Virtual Benefits Fair is an online health fair that houses 2023 plan information in a single location, enabling military families to browse exhibits, view, and download plan brochures, and connect with BENEFEDS and FEDVIP representatives via chat. Continued online...

Sept. 13, 2022

Coast Guard Celebrates 40 Years in Carlson Building

The U.S. Coast Guard is celebrating 40 years in the Frank Carlson Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse. The federal building has been home to the Coast Guard’s Pay and Personnel Center since it first moved to Topeka in 1982.

Sept. 12, 2022

Q&A: What You Need to Know for Federal Benefits Open Season

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 (FEDVIP). FEDVIP is offered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and is separate from TRICARE and TRICARE Open Season activities.

Sept. 12, 2022

A Checklist to Help You Prepare for 2022 TRICARE Open Season

TRICARE Open Season starts Nov. 14 and ends Dec. 13, 2022. Open season is the time when most TRICARE 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 later.

Sept. 9, 2022

Register for September 29 Webinar on TRICARE For Life

Join the TRICARE webinar, “How to Get Started With Medicare and TRICARE,” on Sept. 29, from 1 to 2 p.m. ET. This webinar will help you learn the basics of TRICARE For Life (TFL) and the steps to take to get TFL coverage.

Sept. 9, 2022

2022 Coast Guard National Retiree Council (CGNRC) Annual Meeting Presentations

The CGNRC meets annually to prepare and submit an annual report to the Commandant through his executive agent.

Aug. 30, 2022

The Long Blue Line, Retiree Newsletter: Summer 2022

The Long Blue Line, Your Retiree Newsletter & More, is accessible at: https://www.longblueline.org/ Highlighted in this issue is an interview with ADM Linda Fagan, 27th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard.

Aug. 30, 2022

Make Sure You Understand Recent TRICARE Telehealth Policy Changes

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 recently updated these telehealth policies.

Aug. 26, 2022

TRICARE Helps You Stay On Top of Preventive Health Care

Preventive health checkups can help prevent health problems before they start. They can also help in the detection of conditions that you may be at risk for. TRICARE covers many types of preventive health care exams and screenings.

Aug. 10, 2022

Retiring From National Guard or Reserve? Know Your TRICARE Options

Are you thinking about retiring from the National Guard or Reserve? Since your TRICARE health plan options change as you age, it's important to understand the plans you and your family members may be eligible for at each stage of your retirement years.

Aug. 2, 2022

The Long Blue Line, Retiree Newsletter: Special Museum Edition

This is a very special Coast Guard Day! Our permits are approved; our designs are completed; and we are starting construction on YOUR Museum later this Month. These are exciting times!"

July 28, 2022

Have TRICARE For Life Costs Questions? Find Answers Here

A good understanding of how Medicare and TRICARE For Life (TFL) work together is important. Here are Q&As to help you better understand the costs associated with TFL. Read the article to learn more

July 8, 2022

Retirees Now Have More Time to Transition Into Their Forever Home

A major change in Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) for household goods (HHG) transportation was announced on June 24. Previously, members had a year following retirement to coordinate their HHG transportation. Now, members have three years to schedule their HHG after retirement.

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.

June 27, 2022

Uniformed Members Transitions to New Electronic Military Record System

The Coast Guard is transitioning to a new human resource database for military members this fall, and the service is reminding all military members to start preparing. The new system will combine both your Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) and your Coast Guard Military Human Resource Record (CGMHRR) into one electronic document.

June 14, 2022

Retiree and Annuitant Services Decedent Affairs

​You can report the passing of your loved one via e-mail to ppc-dg-customercare@uscg.mil or by phone at 1 866 772-8724 (business hours are: M-F 0730 to 1600).

June 2, 2022

How to Use TRICARE and Other Health Insurance at the Pharmacy

Do you have other insurance in addition to the TRICARE? TRICARE calls this other health insurance (OHI). Some OHI includes a prescription drug benefit that can be used with the TRICARE Pharmacy Program.

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/