Jan. 19, 2021

Coast Guard Support Offers Online Tax Filing & Consultation

Coast Guard personnel, employees, and their dependent family members my file their federal and state taxes online for free.

Jan. 12, 2021

Keep DEERS Updated as New Plan Year Begins

Did you or your family member experience a change last year that may qualify a DEERS update? As 2021 begins, be sure your and your family’s information is up to date in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS. DEERS is a database of active duty and retired service members. It also includes family members and others who are eligible for TRICARE benefits. If you don’t keep your family’s information current, it could delay their access to health care. Errors can also cause delays with your claims and prescription delivery.

Oct. 19, 2020

Act Now: Set Up Payment for TRICARE Select Enrollment Fees

IMPORTANT NOTE: USCG/PHS/NOAA TRICARE Select beneficiaries who’ve already contacted TRICARE and arranged for payment of enrollment fees by allotment need to know that it will not be possible to pay enrollment fees due 1 January 2021 by CG Retiree Payroll Allotment. TRICARE enrollment fees due 1 January 2021 must be paid by EFT or credit card as soon as possible – recommended no later than 20 December 2020. Retirees will be notified and provided additional information when it is possible to pay TRICARE Select enrollment fees by allotment.

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. 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.

Sept. 15, 2020

Use of Expired Uniformed Services Identification (USID) Cards

​As described in attached DoD policy guidance issued on 8 Sep 2020, use of expired USID cards for uniformed retirees, dependents, and annuitants has been extended through JUNE 30, 2021. You are still encouraged to check with RAPIDS facilities in your area to see if they are issuing ID cards at: https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/

Sept. 11, 2020

Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) plan

FLTCIP 3.0 is the current Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) plan, available to new applicants. This group long term care insurance plan offers comprehensive coverage, including a stay-at-home benefit and informal care provided by friends and family*, with added premium stability.

Sept. 9, 2020

Open Season is Coming: Take the Time to Prepare Now

The annual period when TRICARE beneficiaries can enroll in or change health plans for the next year, is right around the corner. Take the time now to learn about your eligibility, fees, as well as health, dental, and vision plan options. Here are a few frequently asked questions and answers about open season so you'll be ready.

Aug. 13, 2020

What Are Your TRICARE Pharmacy Options Overseas?

Do you live overseas? Got questions about how to fill your prescriptions? If you're enrolled in a TRICARE Overseas Program plan, you have access to the same TRICARE Pharmacy Program as stateside. This means you can fill your prescriptions through military pharmacies, TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery, TRICARE retail network pharmacies, and non-network pharmacies. But there are some limits for filling prescriptions overseas.

Aug. 13, 2020

Behind on Vaccines? Get Back on Track with TRICARE

This summer, a COVID-19 vaccine is on the minds of many people. While the world waits for a vaccine, it's a good time to make sure you and your family members are on track with other important vaccines. You can review the vaccine schedule from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to make sure you're on track. TRICARE covers age-appropriate doses of vaccines, as recommended by the CDC.

Aug. 6, 2020

Child Care Needs Assessment Survey

In the next few weeks, we will initiate the Child Care Needs Assessment Survey. At no time in recent history have the challenges of balancing child care responsibilities with Coast Guard duties and the workplace been greater. The 2020 Child Care Needs Assessment was contracted before we felt the impacts of COVID-19, but couldn’t have been more timely in helping us capture the impacts of child care on morale, retention and performance. This assessment and survey will help establish the foundation of current concerns and provide recommendations for review and action by the Child Development Services Program (CG-1112).

July 31, 2020

Improved TRICARE Formulary Search Tool Helps You Learn About Your Prescriptions

Do you have questions about your prescriptions or medications? The TRICARE Formulary Search Tool is an educational tool that can help. The updated tool makes it easier to look up specific information about your prescription drug.

July 29, 2020

COVID-19 Testing: What TRICARE Covers

You may have questions about COVID-19 testing. Two kinds of tests are used to determine SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) infection: diagnostic (viral) and antibody testing. It's important you know the difference between the tests, how to get tested, and what TRICARE covers.

July 21, 2020

Getting ready for a move? Have travel plans? TRICARE Select® Navigator might be the right tool to help you stay healthy in a new place

Eligible TRICARE Select enrollees have a new resource that can help them stay healthy—even when they are in a new place. From dealing with an injury while travelling to finding a new doctor when you move, a new program from TRICARE can help eligible TRICARE Select enrollees.