Nov. 10, 2020

Military members, families: Top 4 things to know about TRICARE open season

TRICARE Open Season begins today and lasts through Dec. 14. Any enrollment changes you make will go into effect Jan. 1, 2021.

Nov. 10, 2020

Act Now: TRICARE Open Season Is Underway

TRICARE Open Season and Federal Benefits Open Season are happening now and run through Monday, Dec. 14. If you’re enrolled in or eligible for a TRICARE Prime option or TRICARE Select, TRICARE Open Season applies to you. This is your chance to enroll in a health plan or change your health plan for next year. Your enrollment choices will take effect on Jan. 1, 2021. Enrolling in a Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) plan may help you get the dental or vision care you need. If eligible, your chance to do so is now during Federal Benefits Open Season, which also runs from Nov. 9 to Dec. 14. If you enroll during Federal Benefits Open Season, your FEDVIP coverage will take effect on Jan. 1, 2021. To learn more, read the latest articles about TRICARE Open Season and Federal Benefits Open Season.

Nov. 6, 2020

TRICARE Beneficiaries May Be Eligible for FEDVIP Vision

When's the last time you and your family members had their eyes checked? Maintaining good health and wellness includes eye health. "Even if your eyes feel healthy, you could have a problem and not know it," according to the National Eye Institute. But a comprehensive eye exam can help your eye doctor check for common eye problems and detect diseases that can cause vision loss. Did you know that a Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) plan may help you get the eye care you need?

Nov. 3, 2020

The Long Blue Line - Fall Issue of the Retiree Newsletter

​The Fall 2020 issue of the Long Blue Line/Retiree Newsletter is now available at https://www.longblueline.org/​

Oct. 22, 2020

Check Out: New Monthly Premiums for TRICARE Young Adult Plans in 2021

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2021, premiums for TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) coverage will increase. TYA Select will increase by 12.7% and TYA Prime by 22%. These changes reflect the increase in TYA program costs for calendar year 2021. TYA is a premium-based plan available for purchase by qualified dependent children under the age of 26.

Oct. 22, 2020

Veterans Affairs (VA) Separation Health Assessments

M​embers separating from active duty must complete a Separation History and Physical Examination (SHPE) and a mental health assessment (MHA) prior to separation. Servicemembers who file a disability claim with the VA prior to separation, via the Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program, will receive a VA provided Separation Health Assessment (SHA). ALCOAST Commandant Notice 127/20 authorizes the use of the VA separation Health Assess​ment to meet the requirements for a military SHPE and MHA.​​

Oct. 21, 2020

Thrift Savings Plan Catch-up contributions will soon get easier

Starting in January 2021, we will make the catch-up process easier: if you’re turning 50 or older, you’ll no longer need to make two separate elections each year in order to take advantage of catch-up contributions.

Oct. 19, 2020

Act Now: Set Up Payment for TRICARE Select Enrollment Fees

If you're a TRICARE Select Group A* retiree, you may now set up monthly automatic payments for your new 2021 TRICARE Select enrollment fees. You need to take action if you want to keep your TRICARE Select coverage in 2021. You don't need to wait for TRICARE Open Season to begin to do this. (*) If you or your sponsor’s initial enlistment or appointment occurred before January 1, 2018, you are in Group A.​ Note: Tricare Select enrollment fees do NOT affect individuals with other Tricare insurance, including those with Tricare for Life. While the CG Pay & Personnel Center (PPC) cannot start a retiree payroll allotment to pay Tricare Select enrollment fees, USCG/PHS/NOAA retirees & annuitants can start an allotment with Tricare. CG PPC receives a file from TRICARE that identifies all those who need to have deductions made from their retired pay. CG PPC then pays the allotment from the retired payroll monthly.

Oct. 15, 2020

TRICARE Health Matters Newsletter – Issue 3, 2020

Do you want to learn more about TRICARE Open Season, Federal Benefits Open Season, or the new TRICARE Select enrollment fees for Group A retirees? These are just some of the articles you can read in the latest issue of the TRICARE Health Matters Newsletter:

Oct. 15, 2020

Distribution of Finalized DD-214

The implementation of electronic transmission of DD Form 214 data to the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) is complete. The Veterans Administration, State Directors of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Labor have access to DD Form 214 data. SPOs are not required to produce and distribute paper copies 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8. DMDC is the official distribution source of the Military Services authoritative and certified information for all periods of active duty that are completed on or after January 1, 2015.

Oct. 8, 2020

What's TRICARE Young Adult?

TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) is available for purchase by certain family members under the age of 26 who have lost or will lose TRICARE eligibility due to age. Qualified adult children can purchase TYA coverage after regular TRICARE coverage ends

Oct. 8, 2020

Mailing Address and End-Year Tax Documents

END OF THE CURRENT TAX SEASON IS FAST APPROACHING! All retirees and annuitants are reminded that the Mailing Address listed in Direct Access (DA) is the address all your year-end tax documents will be sent to. Please note that your Home Address will NOT be used for these mailings.

Oct. 8, 2020

TRICARE Open Season is Just a Month Away

Are you working on your fall to-do list? Don't forget to add health care as an item. With the 2020 TRICARE Open Season coming soon, now is the time to start thinking about your and your family's health care needs. Depending on where you live, and your beneficiary status, you may have many coverage options to choose from. Open season is also a good opportunity to learn about important changes, like TRICARE Select enrollment fees for Group A retirees, and if you need to take action.

Oct. 7, 2020

Continued Health Care Benefit Program Rates

TRICARE recently updated the TRICARE Costs and Fees Sheet. The October version includes the new rates (Oct. 1, 2020–Sept. 30, 2021) for the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP), as well as current 2020 costs and fees for other TRICARE programs. If you need health care as you make a transition to civilian life, the CHCBP gives health coverage for 18 to 36 months. This is temporary coverage for when you lose TRICARE coverage. If you qualify, you may purchase CHCBP coverage within 60 days of loss of TRICARE coverage.

Oct. 2, 2020

Got TRICARE For Life Questions? Here’s What You Should Know

Will you soon be eligible for Medicare based on reaching age 65? If so, now's the time to start thinking about your future health care needs. With TRICARE For Life (TFL) coverage, you can get the care you need while minimizing your out-of-pocket costs. As you begin to learn about TFL, you may have questions about costs, what's covered, and if you're eligible for it.