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Mental Health Resources for Military Spouses

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Military life can be fun and exciting as you explore the world. Moving from place to place gives you the opportunity to have new adventures, try new things, make new friends and learn new things.

Military life also can be overwhelming, lonely, difficult and hard to handle. Sometimes it can be a little too much.

Mental Health Resources for Military Spouses

There are many mental health resources available to military spouses. You don’t need to suffer in silence. Help is only a phone call away.

Making friends and forming deep connections with fellow military spouses can truly be life saving. They can help you through tough times and help turn the tides sometimes.

Everything can’t always be fixed with a friend though.

Maybe you don’t want to admit to anyone how you are really feeling or maybe they don’t understand. No matter the reason, if you feel like you need someone to talk to, there are mental health resources available for military spouses.

You aren’t alone. Help is only a phone call away.

Here is a list of available mental health resources for military spouses:

National Military Family Association

There are many options to choose from when you are ready to take that step. The National Military Family Association is a wonderful organization founded by military spouses that advocates for military families. There are mental health resources listed on their site to guide you to the proper avenue that will get you the care you need. This can range from short-term counseling and assistance to long-term or medical mental health assistance.

Non-medical help can be sought out from family support centers at your installation, through the office of the chaplain, at military hospitals and clinics as well as through military family life consultants.

Military OneSource

Military OneSource offers non-medical counseling sessions as well. Through Military OneSource, you are entitled to 12 free sessions. These sessions can be in person, over the phone or online. To find out more and to make an appointment call 1-800-342-9647.

Tricare

Long-term medical and mental health resources are available through Tricare. You can visit a mental health care provider at a military hospital or clinic or utilize the Tricare network for authorized civilian mental health resources. The cost associated with these services will depend on the type of policy you have with Tricare, Prime or Standard.

Military spouses can receive up to 8 outpatient mental health care visits without needing a referral. If follow-up appointments are needed, you will be required to get a referral from your provider. Visit Tricare’s website to learn more.

There is unfortunately a stigma that comes with mental health in this country. Sadly, many people are afraid to seek help because they fear there may be consequences once it’s known that mental health resources are needed.

In the military community, there is the fear that it will have an impact on promotions and duty assignments. If you feel like something isn’t right, like you just aren’t yourself, don’t keep it bottled up for fear of repercussions.

You don’t have to go through official channels, like Tricare, initially if that’s what’s holding you back on seeking help. There are many anonymous platforms you can use for mental health resources.

Military OneSource Confidential Help

Free confidential consultations and services are offered. If you want to talk to someone they offer in person, over the phone, online and secure video chat. They can help with emotional and interpersonal difficulties to include adjusting to military life, surviving deployments, everyday stress, parenting challenges and working though loss. The counselor will not inform anyone, including the command and your spouse, of your consultation.

DSTRESS LINE

The Marine Corps DSTRESS Line is available 24/7 and is an anonymous phone and chat counseling service available to veteran Marines, attached sailors and family members. It is manned by veteran Marines, Marine Corps spouses and licensed behavioral health clinical counselors that have Marine Corps specific training. The phone number is 1-877-476-7734.

National Guard Joint Services Support

The National Guard Psychological Health Program has directors of psychological health in every state, territory and online to help family members get the help they need. They have programs to build family resiliency, educational support for complete wellness and access to immediate help. They also have an online library where you can research mental health.

Family Advocacy Program

This mental health resource is for service members and their families. They help with issues stemming from deployment and life stressors that cause problems with family function, domestic violence and child abuse. Classes, workshops, counseling and new parent support programs are all available.

There are many options available to military spouses when mental health resources are needed. The first step is to admit to yourself that you need help and that that is OK. You can start by talking to a friend, a family member, a command spouse liaison or your doctor. If they can’t provide the support you need, take the next step and seek professional help through mental health resources such as these listed above.

Did we miss any mental health resources for military spouses that you recommend? Tell us in the comments section.

5 Tips to Make Your On-Base House Feel Like an Off-Base Home

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The decision to live in an on-base house or an off-base one can be a complicated one. That being said, living on-base can have a lot of benefits. You are close to your spouse’s job, more connected with your military community and you don’t have to worry about any of the things those that live off-base do.

However, when you do live in an on-base house, your home looks exactly like your neighbors. They are usually pretty uniform and trying to be an individual can be difficult. The good news is that there are things you can do to make your space more you and fun for you and your family.

5 Tips to Make Your On-Base House Feel Like an Off-Base Home

How do you make your on-base house feel like home?

Here are 5 life hacks to make your on-base house feel like a home that’s off-base:

1. Rugs. When we were in Germany we had hardwood floors. Old, hardwood floors. The floors needed something so we went to the local Exchange and bought a few rugs. They were not that expensive and added color and a new feel to our apartment.

They also helped with the sound since we were on the third floor. You can really change the look of your on-base house by adding rugs to your floors. You could even add them to carpet, especially if you are not a fan of what your on-base house has for carpet.

2. Paint. You might not think you can paint inside on-base housing and sometimes you can’t. Other times you can as long as you get the paint approved by housing and know that you will have to paint the walls white again before you move out.

If you do want to paint, talk to your housing office and see what is allowed. Even painting an accent wall can add a lot to your on-base house. You can go with a color that represents you and feels more at home in your on-base housing.

3. Garden. Making your own garden is another great way to make your on-base house look like your own home. If you have a yard, you can make your garden there. If not, you can always do a patio or window garden. You could also use containers.

Make sure you pre-approve any garden plants in your yard with the housing office. You might not be able to do exactly what you would want to do but there will always be a way to have a small garden. This can add to the way your home looks on the outside and help you stand out from everyone else in your military neighborhood.

4. Decor. What you put in your on-base house in terms of decor is going to make all the difference. You can go with themes or just find items you really love.

When you first move into your new home you should make a plan about how you want things to look like. Think about what your own style is and what each room can be themed. Some people will do different themes such as beach or Americana. Others like to play with color.

5. Yard Sales. Going to yard sales and thrift stores is the most economical way to make your on-base house look like your own. In any military community, people are always moving and always trying to sell their belongings. You should be able to find a lot of great items for your home this way.

You can also sell your items that won’t work in your current home to make room for new items that will. I have bought almost all of the picture frames in my house from yard sales and thrift stores and saved a lot of money doing so.

How do you make your on-base house feel like home?

Our Favorite Military Mom Surprise Homecoming Videos

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We love military mom homecoming videos. Most of the time they make us cry or at least tear up a bit. It fills us all with such hope and happiness that even though we know we’ll cry, we click on the video anyway.

It doesn’t matter if our family members are deployed or home; we all have the same raw emotions. We are not alone in this when you see how many times a video has been viewed and shared.

What is it about homecoming videos that military moms and families can’t get enough of?

Maybe it’s the joy we can see in the faces of those surprised. A military homecoming is a wonderful time and surprise homecomings are the best.

This military mom was able to surprise her son at his high school graduation after being deployed for 9 months. It’s wonderful that she was able to work with the school board to arrange this terrific graduation gift.

Another military mom, who was deployed for almost 9 months as well, was able to surprise her daughter at a basketball game. The entire team was in tears as they shared their happiness with their teammate.

The beginning of this video shows something most don’t however, the nervous and anxious military mom waiting for her opportunity to be reunited with her child. We often look to the family members that have been eagerly awaiting their return. It’s nice to have an inside look in the perspective of the military mom.

This little boy captured the world’s heart when he threw military rules out the window and ran straight into the arms of his mother while she was standing in formation. Both of his parents serve in the National Guard. In December he welcomed his father home in a similarly excited way. Being a military mom is challenging and moments like this are precious. It had been 19 months since this little 3 year old had both parents together at the same time.

Military moms are thankful for the precious moments they have with their families. Just in time for Thanksgiving, this military mom was able to surprise her little girl at school. It was a teachable moment, one school official said. Being thankful for family and thinking about what is truly important in life is something we should all focus on.

There are 3 children that were thankful for a family homecoming at Christmas. They have been living with their great grandmother while their mom was at basic training and their dad was stationed in Germany. This new military mom was able to surprise the children at school and their father was able to surprise them later that night.

Watching all of these videos becomes harder and harder with each one. This video in particular pulls at the heart strings. It shows the best magic trick we’ve ever seen. This military mom and dad gave their little girl a show of a lifetime.

Some homecomings are small quiet family reunions and others are big. This military mom was able to surprise her daughter in a big way. Everyone in the stadium shared in the joy as these two were brought back together.

Santa does really bring the best gifts. All these boys wanted for Christmas was for their military mom to come home. Santa said that Christmas is magical and he was right. This is one very special Christmas gift.

There are many more videos like these being shared through social media sites and the local news. These homecoming videos warm the heart and bring a smile to faces across the world.

Military moms go through a lot of emotions being away from family. These ever so special moments bring everything back together.

How do feel about military homecoming videos? Do you love to watch them over and over again?

How to Choose a Veterinarian at Your New Duty Station

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If you have a pet, you know how important taking them to a good veterinarian is. You could find the ideal place for your furry friends but then you have to move. Once you get to your new duty station you have to start the search over again.

What factors should you consider when looking for a new veterinarian? How do you find the right one for your pets?

The best way to find the right veterinarian is to ask people in your community. Usually, there are places that are known for their good service and places that are known to stay away from. You can talk to some of your neighbors or ask on a neighborhood page.

You might even have a Facebook group just for pets in your city. We have one where I live and the group is helpful for asking any questions about pets or where to take them for their medical care. People will talk about their experiences which is really helpful. As you meet people at your new duty station you can also talk to them to see who they use for their pets.

How to Choose a Veterinarian at Your New Duty Station

How do you choose a new veterinarian for your pet after a move? Does your military installation have a vet clinic?

You want to take a tour of any veterinarian clinic that you hear good things about. You want to see for yourself what the office is like and if you will feel comfortable taking your pet there. You should check and see how clean they are and if the staff is friendly.

I know I would only want to take my dog to a place I felt comfortable at and not a place that gave me pause, even if a lot of people told me that veterinarian was a good choice.

While you are taking the tour of the office you should also find out about how everything works at that clinic. You will want to know this information if you decide to go with them. Each veterinarian office could have a different way of doing things and that could be a change from the way your vet conducted business at your previous duty station.

You will want to take a look at their hours of operation so you know when they are open and when you can bring your pet in. If both you and your spouse work full-time you would need to find a place with more flexible hours.

Finding out about their emergency care is also important in case you need that down the road. Knowing that information ahead of time will save you stress when you actually need to use their emergency care.

Some military families prefer to go to an on-post clinic when it comes to their pet’s veterinarian. They feel more comfortable there and most likely the costs will be lower.

Here at Fort Campbell the costs are lower but from what I have heard getting an appointment can be difficult. That is one of the reasons we decided to take our dog to an off-post clinic as we didn’t want to have to worry about not getting her in when she needs to be seen.

Finding out if the clinic will board pets is also a good idea. At some point, your family will either go home for a visit or go on vacation and you will need to find a safe place to leave your pet. If the clinic you decide to go with does offer this service, you will have a place to leave them that you trust and won’t have to worry about looking for one when you need to board them.

How do you choose a new veterinarian for your pet after a move?

How to Kiss the PCS Blues Goodbye

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Spring is here and that means it’s PCS season, when military families will be moving to a new duty station and starting the next chapter in their lives.

Are you excited about the move or are you feeling the PCS blues?

What can start off as an exciting opportunity and journey can quickly turn into an overwhelming situation causing emotions to swell. That’s when the PCS blues kick in.

How to Kiss the PCS Blues Goodbye

Are you feeling the PCS blues this spring? How do you handle these unique feeling?

Never heard of the PCS blues? Think it’s made up? If you haven’t suffered from the PCS blues, that’s great, but many military spouses do.

The PCS blues are a sense of dread that comes over you as you leave a home, city and family that you’ve become comfortable in and transition to a new environment.

Change is a hard thing and it can wreak havoc on the most seasoned spouse’s emotions.

Depression is real and even if you don’t reach the point of the clinical definition of being depressed, there may be just that lingering feeling of dread or sadness to say goodbye to a life you knew.

That’s the PCS blues.

As a skeptic, you might say military spouses knew what they signed up for when they said “I do.” It wasn’t just the person they were marrying, it was also the military and a life of constant change. We do all know what we’re getting into, that doesn’t mean anyone’s feelings are any less real or unsubstantiated.

Each time the military sends you to a new duty station the routine of settling in begins again. A move can start out fun. It’s a new adventure. You’ll have new opportunities to see things, experience things and discover new things. It comes at a cost though and that’s leaving behind the things you’ve grown to love. Take some time to find closure and say goodbye to those things and then embrace your new life.

This could help ward off the PCS blues.

Follow these 4 tips to keep your emotions in check and make the most out of PCS season.

Say Goodbye to Your Friends

No one likes to say goodbye. It’s hard. It can take a long time to make friends and it’s always sad to leave them as you move on to a new duty station.

Take some time to say goodbye in a meaningful way. Make a coffee date, movie date or play date with your friends.

Create a lasting memory. I started a tradition with good friends at Christmas. Instead of buying commercial gifts we exchange homemade Christmas ornaments. That way, each year we think of each other as we decorate our trees.

You’re bound to have something in common, maybe just an inside joke between friends. Create a way to keep that lasting memory before you say goodbye. Having closure may keep the PCS blues away once you move.

Do What You’ve Been Meaning to Do

Always wanted to try a certain restaurant in the area? Do it.

Been talking about hiking a nature trail in the country? Do it.

There’s no time like last minute to make you finally go for it. You might regret it if you don’t.

Maybe it’s a simple thing like stopping into a local eatery or shop. Maybe you’ve been meaning to taste a regional delicacy but have been too afraid. You might not ever have the chance to do it again.

Then again, moving is constant and you could end up back in that city one day. Why take the chance in missing out though?

Prepare Yourself Mentally for the Move

You do so much prep work when getting ready to move. Organizing the house before the movers come, shutting off and turning on utilities, checking out of school and signing up for new ones can all keep your mind busy. Take a moment to ready yourself for the move as well, not just physically but mentally.

You are moving. This is really happening. Get excited about the move. Don’t just go through the motions.

Kiss the PCS blues goodbye by starting out with a positive attitude.

Yes, it’s sad to leave but there are so many new things heading your way. Look at that as a wonderful opportunity. You will make friends again. You will fall in love with a coffee shop, yoga class or play date in your new town. It is going to be OK.

Get Out of Your House

Once you move into your next home, get out of the house. There are a million boxes to unpack and a long list of things to do, but the PCS blues might set in if you don’t check out every once in a while.

Take a break from it all and and get out of the house, and out of your head. Contact your ombudsman or FRG leader. Look on social media for local meet-up groups. Join a gym and sign up for a class. Go explore your new town. Take a walk in the park and get some fresh air. You need a break and you might just meet someone that will turn into your next best friend.

Moving to a new location can be hard. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’ll make friends again. You’ll fall in love with the area, and then it will be time to do it all over again.

Are you feeling the PCS blues this spring? How do you handle this unique feeling?

Tricare Covers Breast Pumps at No Cost for New Mothers

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It was 7 years ago when I walked into the Tricare representative’s office at the Naval hospital in Okinawa and asked this question:

How can I get a breast pump?

At the time I was pregnant with my oldest and stationed in Japan. My civilian friends who had recently had babies told me to save my money and to not buy a breast pump. Their insurance companies paid for their breast pumps and surely, Tricare would pay for mine.

Negative.

The Tricare rep kindly explained to me that no, at that time, Tricare didn’t cover breast pumps. I was disappointed (especially considering how many military couples were having 2-baby tours on Okinawa), but accepted the policy.

Since then Tricare has changed their policy.

Tricare now covers breast pumps and breast pump supplies for new mothers who have a prescription from a Tricare-authorized physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner or nurse midwife. This policy went into effect in July 2015.

This policy change is also retroactive, so if you purchased a breast pump since December 19, 2014, you can submit a claim for reimbursement.

How do I get Tricare to pay for my breast pump?

The first step is to get a prescription.

This prescription must be from a Tricare-authorized health care provider. See the list above. Make a copy of your prescription for your records. Your prescription shouldn’t be for a specific manufacturer, brand or model number, but it must show if you’re getting a basic manual or standard electric pump, according to the Tricare guidelines.

If you qualify for a hospital-grade pump, Tricare advises that you work with your provider and your regional contractor to get a referral and authorization.

Once you get your prescription, the next step is to decide how you plan to get your breast pump.

The Tricare guidelines said “If you don’t want to pay up front, contact your regional contractor to find a network provider or supplier. You need to show your prescription.” In this case, you won’t need to file a claim.

If you are willing and able to pay for your breast pump upfront, you can buy it from any breast pump supplier. There isn’t a list of approved providers. That means you can buy it from any of the following:

  • Post Exchange (PX), Base Exchange (BX), or Station Exchange run by the The Army/Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES); The Department of the Navy; The United States Marine Corps; or The United States Coast Guard
  • Civilian stateside and overseas retail stores (such as Walmart, Target, Babies”R”Us, CVS)
  • Online store (such as Amazon.com, Overstock.com; standard shipping and handling is covered)

You won’t need to show your prescription at the time of purchase. Make a copy of your receipt and save it. You’ll need it when you file your claim for reimbursement.

Let’s say you choose to get your breast pump through a military clinic or hospital, then simply follow their procedures.

How do you file a claim for your breast pump?

For those of you who plan to buy a pump or have paid for one out-of-pocket since December 19, 2014, complete a DD Form 2642, attach a copy of your prescription and receipt and then mail it to your Tricare claims processor. Your reimbursement check is mailed to you.

Besides breast pumps, the policy also includes breast pump supplies. You can get these items before or after delivery. Here is a list of what is covered:

  • Standard power adapters
  • Tubing and tubing adaptors
  • Locking rings
  • Bottles (that are used with the breast pump, not regular baby bottles)
  • Bottle caps
  • Shield/splash protectors
  • Storage bags

Tricare doesn’t pay for extra breast pump batteries, nursing bras, over-the-counter creams, ointments and other products that relieve breastfeeding-related symptoms or breast pump cleaning supplies.

This policy applies to all Tricare-eligible female beneficiaries. It is available to you no matter which Tricare plan you use (Tricare Prime, Standard, Reserve Select, U.S. Family Health Plan, etc.) or your sponsor’s status (active, retired or Guard/Reserve).

Tricare covers one breast pump per birth event. If you received a breast pump when you were pregnant last year and you are pregnant again, you can get a new breast pump.

What questions do you have about getting a breast pump through Tricare?

10 Ways to Thank Your Military Child

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April is Month of the Military Child. This month was established to underscore the important role children play in the Armed Forces community.

10 Thoughtful Ways to Thank Your Military Child

How do you plan to celebrate your military child this month?

There are approximately 2 million military children, ranging in ages from newborn to 18 years old; 1.3 million military children are school-aged. Having a month to recognize them and what they have been through is important.

Here are 10 thoughtful ways you can celebrate your military child during the month of April.

  1. Write them a letter. If your military child is old enough to read, write them a letter about how much you care and appreciate them. They can keep this letter close and read the words from time to time. Even better if the letter comes from the parent who is serving in the military.
  2. Take them out for their favorite treats. My own boys love to go out for ice cream. Think about a fun treat that your military child would love and take your kids out to thank them for being military children. Every child is going to enjoy doing something like that.
  3. Show them photos. If your children have been military kids for a long time they might not remember some of those early years. Show them photos when you were stationed somewhere else or any fun trips you went on together.
  4. Be patient. You should always be patient with your kids, especially when military life is making things a little more stressful. Your military child might need you to be there to understand that what they are going through is hard and to acknowledge that.
  5. Read them a book about military life. There are quite a few military kids books. Take time to read one of these books to your military child. They should be able to relate to the characters and see that they are not alone in their experiences with military life.
  6. Listen. Sometimes just listening can be a good way to celebrate your military child. They might just need someone to hear what they have to say or how they are feeling about what is going on in their life.
  7. Ask them questions. Check in with them. Even if they are little, ask them what they are thinking or feeling about an upcoming military event. Some children won’t just come up to you and talk about what is going on. Sometimes they just need to be asked.
  8. Help them make new friends. Losing friends is one of the hardest parts of being a military child. Help them make new friends and find fun things for them to do. Encourage them to sign up for activities that they would find interesting and take them to fun events in your community.
  9. Make a special dinner. Pick one day in the month of April to make a special dinner for your kids. Not much of a cook? Take them out to their favorite restaurant. Let them know why and celebrate together.
  10. Explain why they are a military child. Older kids might enjoy knowing the story about why your spouse joined the military in the first place. April would be a good time to let them know why they are a military child and what it means that their parent serves in the military. This can also be a good conversation starter to answer any of their questions or talk about their feelings.

Whatever you do during the month of April, make sure to remember your military child. Sometimes life can move so fast that we forget that they are just children trying to figure out why things keep changing so much during their lives. Taking a month to celebrate them is important.

How do you plan to celebrate your military child this month?

Why More Military Families Are Home Schooling

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Home schooling is becoming more and more popular these days. This is even more true in military families.

Why More Military Families Are Home Schooling

By home schooling you can create the type of school you want for your children.

As parents try to figure out what is best for their child, they are turning to home schooling in order to make things a little easier for their children. They know military life is stressful enough and want to make sure they can create a stable school experience as they are growing up.

I have met many home schooling families during my time as a military spouse and one thing is true for all of them.

Home schooling makes their military lives a little easier.

Whether that is because of all the moving or being able to plan a trip or vacation whenever they need to do so.

Everyone knows that military families move often. On average, military families move every 3 years. That means that some kids could end up attending 3 or 4 schools before they even get into junior high. It’s no wonder that some military families are thinking about home schooling instead.

By home schooling your child you can avoid having to have them be the “new kid” time after time. If you have to move in the middle of the school year, you don’t have to worry about that disrupting their education. Military family schedules need to be flexible so home schooling allows you to make school just as flexible.

When children have to move a lot, their grades can decline and have trouble catching up. Friendships can be more difficult and finding their new place can be difficult.  Whether you home school or not your children will have to find new friends, but not having to find new friends at school right away too can take some of the pressure off.

Being in a new school without friends can be quite difficult.

If you have ever moved schools before you know that there can be a big difference between what they teach and expect from the kids. Even if they are in the same grade. Another positive for home schooling is that your kids don’t have to experience any of that. You won’t have to struggle with a school in order to make sure your kids are on track. You will take care of all of that yourself.

If you want to take your kids to grandma’s house in October because that is when your spouse has a month of leave, you can do so and bring school with you. Taking off like that wouldn’t be possible when they are in a traditional school. This is a big plus to those who home school while in the military as they don’t have to worry if they want to take their kids out of school for an extended period of time. This also will allow you to take your kids home during a deployment and not have to worry about the local school system.

The great news about being a military family who is home schooling is that there is usually a lot of support for those who home school on base or even in your local community. There are a lot of other parents to connect with, make plans with and work together with to create a good community with your kids.

You will not be alone as a home schooling military family.

By home schooling you can create the type of school you want for your children. You can give them consistency and you don’t have to worry about having to move them in the middle of the school year. You can plan around your military member’s schedule and you can create a better home life for your children. Home schooling isn’t for everyone but choosing this option can be a big benefit to a lot of military families.

Do you home school your children? Why did you decide to home school them?

Tricare Dental Contract Change

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More than 1.8 million beneficiaries will see a change in their dental coverage next year as the government has just awarded United Concordia Companies, Inc. Tricare’s dental contract.

MetLife has held the contract since they took it over from United Concordia in 2012. Now that the government has made the switch back, there is plenty of protest.

How the Tricare Dental Contract Change May Affect Your Dental Care

If you’re worried about scheduling your next cleaning, note that United Concordia doesn’t take over Tricare dental until February 1, 2017.

The contract award is for $11,010,000 to support the Tricare Dental Program by providing comprehensive dental care services around the world to eligible Tricare beneficiaries. There were 4 offers made, but ultimately the Department of Defense (DoD) went with United Concordia. The 5-year contract includes 1-year transition in contract with 5 12-month option periods and a 12-month phase out period. United Concordia already manages the Tricare Active Duty Dental Program (ADDP) for active duty service members.

United Concordia reports that surveys confirm that enrolled members and the government are both satisfied with their service.

Some beneficiaries however are skeptical of the change.

When the DoD awarded the Tricare Dental Program contract to MetLife in 2012, many were delighted to find dental coverage expanded in many categories. The annual maximum amount covered increased, the lifetime orthodontic coverage increased, there was an addition of accidental dental injury and pregnant women were allowed an extra cleaning.

Now there is worry that some of these additions won’t carry over.

If United Concordia does keep these category expansions going, the question then becomes how much will this cost? A company spokesperson said that they don’t have specifics on Tricare dental coverage yet as they are still working out details with the government. In turn, the DoD says it cannot comment until the protests have been settled. That leaves a lot of room for questions and wondering minds.

A few program details have been announced however. The annual maximum benefit will increase from $1,300 to $1,500 under the new contract. Sealants, which required a 20 percent cost share under MetLife’s management, will now be completely covered with no out-of-pocket costs at all.

Monthly premiums won’t be going away though. All beneficiaries who are currently required to pay a monthly premium will still incur that cost. Two free cleanings a year will continue to be the norm and pregnant women will be able to have a third cleaning.

How the Tricare Dental Contract Change May Affect Your Dental Care

Is your family enrolled in the Tricare Dental Program?

While these benefits are all great, some worry that they will have to find a new dental provider once the change in contract occurs. Each dental office can choose which provider they accept for dental coverage and they might not accept Tricare under United Concordia. It can be nerve-racking enough going to a dentist. Once you find one you like and trust, whether for yourself or your family, you want to stick with them. Facing the potential to have to search for a new dental office is cumbersome.

If you’re worried about scheduling your next cleaning, note that United Concordia doesn’t take over Tricare dental until February 1, 2017, so you have plenty of time to see your dental care provider.

If you or a family member are not enrolled in the Tricare Dental Program and would like to do so, you can sign up online.

The Tricare Dental Program is the world’s largest voluntary dental program. Those eligible for enrollment include: family members of active duty service members, family members of national guard/reserve members, and national guard/reserve members who are not on active duty or covered by Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP).

Coverage is available worldwide. It includes coverage for many dental procedures including:

  • exams
  • cleanings
  • fluorides
  • sealants
  • X-rays
  • fillings
  • root canals
  • gum surgery and tooth extractions
  • crowns
  • dentures
  • orthodontics and braces
  • scaling and root planning for diabetics
  • as well as an additional cleaning for pregnant women.

If you’re worried about how the Tricare Dental Program will change after the contact award, don’t delay in making a trip to your favorite dentist before next year.

How do you feel about United Concordia being awarded Tricare’s dental contract?

Pets May Help Military Kids Cope with Deployment

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A recent study by Tufts University shows that children who have a strong relationship with a pet cope better when dealing with the stress related to a parent’s deployment.

The study was designed to find out how animals help people physically and emotionally during stressful times as well as how to help people commit to fitness, reach educational goals, overcome physical disabilities and recover from psychological trauma.

Tufts Institute for Human-Animal Interaction (TIHAI) surveyed 600 children from both military and nonmilitary families. The kids were asked how they interact with animals, about their stress levels and their strategies for dealing with stress. The outcome of the study was that children with animals at home had more positive outcomes than those without, regardless to whether they had a parent on deployment or not.

The children that had animals at home were found to be more confident and had stronger relationships with both peers and family members. On multiple occasions, children reported that pets are what kept them company while a parent was on deployment or when they moved.

What researchers say is the most significant outcome of the study is that children who had a parent on deployment and also had a strong bond with an animal at home exhibited greater ability to cope with the stress of the situation than children that didn’t have pets.

“Strong attachments to pets may foster a more proactive attitude about handling stressful problems and could serve as a bridge to developing and maintaining peer relationships during stressful circumstances,” said Megan Mueller, a developmental psychologist and research assistant professor at Cummings School. She goes on to say,

Pets provide a nonjudgmental, emotionally supportive relationship, especially for kids who may be having difficulty in social situations or moving to a new social setting. The responsibility of caring for another living creature and understanding an animal’s needs also plays a role. There’s been some research showing that just stroking an animal reduces your blood pressure and heart rate.

Unfortunately, it isn’t possible for every child to have a pet however. There are many circumstances that can prevent families from being able to incorporate a pet into their lives. This could include allergies, illness, finances, housing rules, travel schedules and more.

If you fall into this group, you can still provide opportunities for your children to receive the benefit of animal interaction. Take a day trip to a local farm. It doesn’t have to be advertised as a petting farm. Many farms will allow families to meet their animals. Call ahead and see if you can arrange a time to visit when your child will be able to touch and possibly feed the animals. Let the owners know your spouse is on deployment and they might be even more inclined to have you over.

Horses have an amazing effect on children. If you can, take your children to a horse ranch while your spouse is on deployment. Check with your MWR; many Army garrisons for example have stables with equestrian services. Horses are great therapy animals.

The Tufts study showed that horses can reduce the level of stress in children that suffer from PTSD. Horses respond to children’s body language.

One of the symptoms of PTSD is being either hyper-aroused or under-aroused, and horses react to that –avoiding the jittery kids and ignoring those who are emotionally detached. In order to interact positively with their therapy horses, the children must learn to better regulate their own fight or flight response. By taking deep breaths and employing other techniques, they can lower their heart rate and relax their muscles.

You don’t necessarily need to sign up for equestrian-assisted therapy. Perhaps, plan a family day at a ranch, take an hour-long lesson or even enroll your child in equestrian camp. That would certainly be a great way to take their mind off deployment.

The interaction between children and animals is amazing and there are so many benefits to building this relationship. If your child is having problems coping with the stress of a deployment, consider adding a pet to your family or incorporating time with animals into your regular schedule.

Does your family have a pet? How does your pet help you or your children during a deployment?