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How I Feel About Military Spouse Appreciation Day

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On Military Spouse Appreciation Day, I’ll be tagged in dozens of Facebook posts. I’ll tear up reading the heartfelt words of my military spouse friends.

Besides that I don’t think much else will happen on May 11.

Let’s be honest: Military Spouse Appreciation Day is about military spouses connecting with other military spouses.

This is our day to express how much the support of our community and friends has helped us over the years. That’s important, don’t get me wrong.

I love seeing my friends post emotional video montages or write emotional posts that celebrate the ties binding us together. It’s a reminder that I’m not alone and I’ve always got folks watching my six.

Yes, there are events held on military bases around the world honoring the contributions of military spouses. There are job fairs, appreciation luncheons and educational workshops.

All of this is great. Honestly, it’s just nice to be recognized in any small way.

How I Feel About Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Maybe I’ve grown a little salty over the years, but Military Spouse Appreciation Day seems like just more lip service.

The statements of our nation’s leaders, from President Reagan to the present day, express that they see us. They know how much we’ve given of ourselves in support of our spouse and our country.

But this support for military spouses isn’t followed by action.

Maybe I’ve grown a little salty over the years, but Military Spouse Appreciation Day seems like just more lip service.

If our leaders wanted to show military spouses actual appreciation, there are tons of things that they could do.

1. Fix Tricare

Right now military families are receiving letters from Tricare that show they’ll lose their coverage or plan due to failure to pay. Here’s the problem: they have been paying and the system didn’t record it. Military families are caught in the middle between yet another provider network switch and terrible communication.

Tricare operates on the lowest bidder system. While this might be great for, say, choosing a landscaping service at the White House, it’s not the way to do health care. Medical professionals are being dropped by Humana due to paperwork processing errors, even though the doctors did their due diligence in advance. Many medical professionals will not accept Tricare at all because of the paperwork headaches and rock-bottom reimbursement rates.

This leaves military families without civilian options for care. Families with children who have special needs are left without ABA therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy or occupational therapy. Families located far from a comprehensive MTF are caught between the politics of Tricare and the boots on the ground reality.

There are a plethora of issues with health care in our country and Tricare is just the tip of the iceberg. But it’s a pain point for many military families.

Show us that you truly see us by fixing Tricare.

2. Increase Funding for Our Schools

When military families are asked about their PCS concerns, finding a good school is near the top. This is because our federal and state governments have, largely, walked away from public schools. They’ve put in place policies that undercut education funding for years. Buildings are crumbling, learning materials are out of date and teachers are working multiple jobs just to keep their heads above water.

The plan floated by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is a small, very small, step to acknowledge this critical military family issue. However, her plan provides minimal funding to a fraction of families all while stripping public schools of money they need to keep the lights on.

This is not how we operate an education system. And by their continued neglect of schools everywhere, not just near military bases, our nation’s leaders are shouting loud and clear that they do not care about our struggles.

Appreciate us and our military kids by taking meaningful action to fully fund schools across the country and pay all teachers appropriate wages.

3. Clean Up Our Contaminated Water

We already question whether this lifestyle is harming our children due to saying goodbye to their friends over and over. We tell ourselves that moving is building resiliency and that seeing the world is a fair trade for our wandering life.

Then you wake up to the news that 126 bases have contaminated water.

Now I’m not only worrying about psychologically damaging my children. I’m terrified that they’ll die because we drank from the tap in base housing. Perfect.

I’ll be watching myself and my very young children for signs and symptoms for decades, all because we’re a military family. All because I drank the water at Camp Pendleton. All because I’m just waiting for them to confirm my suspicions about Okinawa.

Want to know if your current or past bases are affected? The DoD has helpfully listed every location with contaminated water!

If our leaders truly, really appreciated the service and sacrifices of military spouses, they would put meaningful fixes in place to correct these dangerous issues.

4. Reduce Military Spouse Unemployment and Underemployed Rates

Military spouses face the reality of chronic underemployment and unemployment. Only 47% of military spouses responding to the 2017 Blue Star Families survey were employed. The overwhelming majority of employed spouses earned less than $20,000 per year.

There are a lot of factors that go into this. Our transient lifestyle makes it hard to advance in professional careers or keep a job longer than three years. Transferring and maintaining multiple professional licenses costs time and money. Federal employment, often touted as the holy grail of military spouse work, requires that applicants jump through hoops and wait, sometimes months, to hear back from prospective jobs.

Beyond the logistics of employment, there are the lifestyle complications related to being a military spouse. We move every three years, on average. We transition between two parent and single parent households regularly.

Child care often eats up the majority of our take-home pay. And that’s when there are openings available. In many locations, securing quality child care requires super advanced application even at the on-base CDC.

Beyond that, our workday availability is almost a necessity to support our spouse and children. The military schedules everything during working hours, from promotion ceremonies to childbirth classes.

You want to support me? Find ways to support my continued employment with changes to how the military works. Longer dwell times, affordable and available child care, expedited and transparent federal hiring practices or making licensure transfers more flexible are great places to start.

Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day to the women and men who persevere!

Maybe this year the powers that be will give us some meaningful support and change instead of just pretty words.

Read “5 Reasons Why Military Spouses Deserve a Day of Appreciation” for Rachel’s perspective on Military Spouse Appreciation Day.

Is Congress Being a Bully to Military Families?

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Sometimes I feel like Congress is the bully on the school playground. They make all the rules and tell everyone how to play the game they want to play. They give out great toys, our military benefits, but they constantly taunt us saying they’ll take them away.

Military families want Congress to play fair.

When they promise us something, we expect them to live up to it.

Is Congress Being a Bully to Military Families?

What do you think? Is Congress being a bully to military families?

Every year Congress looks at military spending. They question how to save the government money. Military benefits are put on the chopping block every time. Think about the benefits you or your service member were promised when enlisting.

Are you getting everything you were promised? Probably not.

I’ve been part of the military community my entire life. My parents were both in the Army and my husband is in the Navy. I have seen firsthand how Congress plays. I read the transcripts from subcommittees that debate changes to military benefits.

I pay close attention to the wording of bills I follow to see how they progress through the Senate and the House. Not many people do, which is why I enjoy writing about what Congress is doing in regards to changes that affect military families.

I want you to know what is going on so you aren’t blindsided.

So many changes have occurred recently. Have you kept up with what Congress is doing or have you been thrown a curve when you’ve needed a benefit?

Tricare had significant changes start on January 1, 2018, for example. Did you know that while Tricare Prime remained the same, Tricare Standard and Tricare Extra merged to become Tricare Select? A significant part of the change is that beneficiaries will no longer be able to switch between Tricare plans at any time. There will now be an open enrollment window. Life events will continue to enable you to switch however.

I’m sure you know that we got a pay raise this year. That’s one thing military families keep track of. There are some important things to consider though. Congress isn’t necessarily giving away extra money without caveats. You might want to read up on BAH rates for locations you are considering for your next PCS. Rates have gone up, slightly, in some locations and down in others.

Did you know that Congress wants military families to start covering 5% of BAH starting as early as next year?

Military retirement changed on January 1 as well. Congress made the most significant change to military retirement pensions in 70 years. The old plan, known as the legacy retirement system, stayed the same. A new retirement program known as the blended retirement system allows incoming service members to basically set aside money that is matched by the government up to a point. They will no longer be required to stay in the set 20 years to earn a retirement benefit.

The post-9/11 GI Bill also changed. Previously there was a 15-year cutoff date to use or lose the benefit after a service member left the military, if they left after 2013. That was eliminated. Reservists will now see their benefits increased. Surviving dependents and Purple Heart recipients get better benefits as well. A great thing is that those who attended a college that closed in 2015 or later, who ended up losing their money, will now get a new allotment.

These are just a few of the changes Congress sent our way already this year. It’s great that those entering the military will have some improvements to benefits such as the retirement plan and the post-9/11 GI Bill. Those that have been in for a while are excluded from many benefit improvements coming though. Tricare is a major benefit that many people joined the military for. That’s taking a big hit. Copays for medication increased. The dental plan changed, and not for the better, not to long ago. The commissary has changed so that prices fluctuate with the area.

In some ways it’s like Congress is making friends with the new kids and bullying their other classmates on the playground. The bully didn’t play favorites during the recent government shutdown though. Congress mandated that service members continue to work, even if they weren’t going to get paid. And our representatives didn’t lose money or sleep over this decision.

What do you think? Is Congress being a bully to military families?

Will Tricare’s Changes Impact Military Retirees?

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By now the cat is out of the bag and you’ve probably heard and maybe even read about all of the changes to Tricare coverage for active duty personnel starting in 2018.

But what about the changes to plans offered to military retirees?

Much like the changes for Tricare Prime and Tricare Select (formerly known as Tricare Standard and Tricare Extra), the changes depend on the plan you use.

Yes, there are changes and increases to fees, and yes, there are also some increases in coverage for certain types of care.

The good news is that 2018 will be a transition year for the permanent changes and just as in years past, retirees will be able to switch plans as they wish. However, starting in 2018 for coverage beginning in 2019, Tricare for Retirees and Tricare for Life will see enrollment periods opening once per year and any changes to plan enrollment will need to take place during the open-enrollment period from the middle of November to the middle of December.

Will Tricare's Changes Impact Military Retirees?

Will you be impacted by Tricare changes this year? What’s changing for your health insurance plan?

Changes in Prescription Fees

All beneficiaries will see a change in prescription fees starting in February 2018. A 30-day supply of name brand drugs will run retirees $28, while generics will cost $11. Ninety-day supplies via home delivery will be $24 for name brand and $7 for generics. There will continue to be no co-pay for prescriptions filled at military treatment facilities for eligible plans. Non-formulary co-pays will be $53 for both 30-day retail in-network filled and home delivery.

Changes to the Retiree Dental Plan

The current Retiree Dental Plan will be retired in December 2018. The plan will be replaced with the same plan currently offered to federal employees and more information about the plan and any additional changes will be put out later this year.

Changes to Tricare Retirees – Select

All retirees using Tricare were notified late last year about the enrollment requirement. Enrollment is required in order to continue care. Current Tricare Retirees-Standard (now called Select) will see out-of-network fees charged for any care received without enrollment, so if you use this plan and haven’t already enrolled, take the time to do so. It will save you money if you end up needing care this year.

In addition, Tricare Retirees-Select will continue to see no enrollment fees until 2021. After that an annual enrollment fee will be charged, similar to the Tricare Retirees-Prime fees already in place. These annual enrollment fees will be due in January 2021.

Medical retirees and survivors of service members killed in action using Tricare Retirees-Select however, will be exempt from the fee.

Other changes include upping the the catastrophic cap for retirees using the Standard plan staring in 2021 from the current $3,000 to $3,500.

For Select users starting in January 2018, in-network primary care visits will cost $35 and in-network specialty care will cost $45 per visit. In-network emergency room visits will run $116 per visit and urgent care $35 per visit.

Changes to Tricare Retirees – Prime

Tricare Retirees-Prime will continue to see much of the same coverage currently offered. Annual enrollment rates will see annual increases equal to COLA rates. Enrollment dates and fees will move from October to January starting in 2018.

For any point-of-service visits outside of a military treatment facility, retirees using Prime will pay $20 for in-network primary care and $30 for in-network specialty care. In-network emergency room visits will cost $60 and urgent care, $30.

Changes to Tricare for Life

Retirees using Tricare for Life will see almost no changes to their current coverage. The current $150 (single rate) and $300 (family rate) will remain the same for costs not picked up by Medicare.

Additionally, the catastrophic cap will remain the same. The only change Tricare for Life users will see is a change in the reset date for deductibles and cap. Instead of October, the plan will reset in January just like all of the other Tricare plans starting in 2018.

Tricare has done a pretty decent job of notifying its beneficiaries of the changes and more information about changes to specific plans can be found on their website.

Now that you know how military retirees will be impacted by major changes from Tricare, what other questions do you have?

5 Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms

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Breastfeeding is hard. For some reason, people don’t tell you that while you’re pregnant. You see ads in magazines of glowing new moms blissfully nursing their babies and think “oh, this will be easy.”

5 Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms

Breast pumps are now 100% covered under Tricare. All you need is a prescription from your doctor.

For most moms, it isn’t that simple. Some women luck out and have babies that are great at latching. They have a steady milk supply and don’t run in to any nursing-related medical problems.

For the rest of us, nursing takes practice and a whole lot of patience. Here are 5 tips for moms that plan to breastfeed their babies.

5 Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms

Learn about Breastfeeding

This sounds funny to say, but breastfeeding isn’t as simple as it sounds. A lot of women give up breastfeeding because they thought it would be easy to do but then discovered that it wasn’t.

I recently had our second child, a baby girl. I watched videos online about how to breastfeed over and over again when she wasn’t latching properly. I nursed our first child so you would think doing it again would be easy, but no 2 babies are alike.

You can learn about breastfeeding through books such as “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” by watching videos online, by taking a baby education class or by attending a breastfeeding support group. Talking to friends that have breastfed their babies can be really helpful as well.

Prep for Breastfeeding

Once you’ve decided that you’re going to breastfeed your baby, you’ll want to prep for it while you are pregnant. There are a few things to consider.

  • Will you exclusively breastfeed or will you also pump?
  • Will you be breastfeeding in public?

These questions are to determine what items you will need to acquire. If you plan to pump, then you’ll need to get a pump, milk storage bags, bottles and cleaning supplies.

If you are going to nurse in public, then you might want to consider how comfortable you will feel. Some people are perfectly confident nursing in public and some are not. Either way, your wardrobe will probably change. You will want nursing bras and nursing tank tops as well as nursing friendly tops. Some women like to have a type of cover to place over the baby for more privacy as well.

Get a Free Pump

Even if you aren’t sure you want to pump, get a pump anyway. A wonderful benefit of Tricare is that breast pumps are 100% covered and you can get a new one with each child you have. It’s simple to do as well.

All you need is a prescription from your doctor.

You do not have to buy your pump at a specific place. There are numerous stores, home health supply companies and online retailers that will give you a no-cost pump with your prescription. Many now offer free accessories.

Look around for the best deal and see what you can get. Once you have your pump, take it out of the box and read the directions before the baby comes.

5 Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms

This is a picture of the pump I ordered along with all the free accessories that came with it.

Don’t Get Overwhelmed

When the baby arrives, don’t let yourself get overwhelmed with breastfeeding. It’s natural to worry if your baby is getting enough milk and if you’re doing it right. A lactation nurse should visit you in the hospital to help you get started.

Once you’re home things might go well for a period of time and then all of a sudden change. Don’t panic.

Tricare covers lactation consultations. You can get help. You can also join a lactation support group. I joined the one at our hospital. It’s a great way to meet other moms as well.

Enjoy the Experience

Breastfeeding should be comfortable, not painful. You should feel happy in the bond that you’ve created with your baby. Breastfeeding is a unique experience and once you’ve mastered it, you will be able to enjoy it.

There will be times that you want to cry or curse but there will be plenty more times that you look down at your baby and smile just like the women in magazines.

What tips do you have for new moms who are breastfeeding their babies? Share them in the comments section.

 

2018 Brings Pay and BAH Increases…Or Does It?

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It’s the new year and along with resolutions, new tax regulations and the Winter Olympics, we also have the annual military pay increase.

2018 Brings Pay and BAH Increases...Or Does It?

For active duty, the 2.4% pay increase will be the largest pay raise since 2010. But is it enough?

In years past the raise has been a little lackluster, but this year most folks are pretty happy with the pay increase. How much are we going to see? For active duty, the 2.4% pay increase will be the largest pay raise since 2010. For my spouse, that means a monthly increase of just under $100 a month. Not too shabby, maybe we can finally institute a monthly date night.

For retirees, the annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) pay increase will be 2%, a definite increase over years past.

To see how much the pay increase for active duty personnel will benefit your household, check out the 2018 Military Pay Rates chart here. Retirees and disabled veterans can find more information about the new COLA rate by clicking here.

In addition to all the stir about the pay increase, you might also have heard that BAH rates are ticking up slightly. And by slightly, I mean just barely at 0.7% on average, but an increase is an increase, I suppose.

The average service member will see less than a $20 increase in their BAH rates, but over the course of the year, an extra $240 can come in handy. If you’re like me, that’s my budget to replant my vegetable garden and buy a new watering can.

Keep in mind that the uptick in BAH is not a blanket increase. Some places will see as much as 10% to 15% (Beale AFB, Mountain Home AFB and Fort Wayne), while other places like Fort Riley, Camp Lejeune and Pensacola will see BAH drop as much as 5% or more.

Don’t worry if you already live in one of the areas that will see a decrease. Current regulations prevent BAH dropping for personnel already stationed at a particular location. Only incoming personnel will be affected by the drop.

That being said, make sure you do your research if a PCS is in your future.

One thing many folks may not be aware of, however, is the current BAH dampening plan to push 5% of housing cost responsibilities back to service members by 2019.

Even with the increases offered to many this year, service members will see the increase in their BAH not stretching as far as it did in years past. The published 2018 BAH rates will only cover 96% of the average housing costs, with an additional 1% reduction expected next year. The thought is that this plan will free up some much-needed funds in the defense budget.

I’m not sure how I feel about this idea. In part this feels like another inch in the steady erosion of military pay and benefits. In many specialty job positions, services are struggling to retain qualified military personnel who reap the benefits of training while in service only to be romanced away by the large salary and benefit offers coming from civilian employers.

I understand the money has to come from somewhere, but in my experience, BAH has frequently not kept up with growing housing costs and given that service members have no say in the duty stations they are assigned to, reduction in the BAH benefits will make PCSing to some duty stations that much harder.

In places like Virginia Beach, San Diego and Washington, D.C., where the cost of living is already 15% to 40% higher than the national average, even a 5% reduction in benefits will hit service members’ wallets hard.

And it doesn’t exactly scream “stay in” when it comes time to consider re-enlistment.

When you consider this pay increase – that’s not really an increase – along with some of the jumps in medical costs put out by Tricare for 2018, the benefits so many service members expected as part of their pay is slowly but surely being whittled away.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly not going to turn down a pay increase, but it’s important that we remain aware of what those increases actually mean. And when you consider that the call to serve is answered by so few, I have a hard time understanding why pay and benefits seem to be on the steady decline.

What do you think of this year’s pay increase for service members?

Do You Understand Tricare’s Upcoming Changes?

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Did you know that Tricare is changing? Just when you thought you had a grasp on how Tricare works, it’s going to change.

Here are the things you need to know about the changes that are coming, when they will begin, how they will impact your military family and what actions you need to take.

Do You Understand Tricare's Upcoming Changes?

If you are currently enrolled in Tricare, you don’t need to do anything if you want to stay in the same plan.

Upcoming Changes Are Coming to Tricare

Region Consolidation

Regions stateside will be consolidated from the current North, South and West to simply Tricare East and Tricare West as North and South merge. There are 2 contractors that will cover Tricare East, Humana Military and Health Net Federal Services.

Tricare Select

While Tricare Prime will not change, Tricare Standard and Tricare Extra will combine into one program, Tricare Select. This will happen on Jan. 1, 2018.

Tricare Select will be a self-managed program with a preferred provider network option available. You will not need to have a primary care manager (PCM). This will allow beneficiaries to go to any Tricare provider without a referral.

While change is usually unsettling, some things will improve. Access for beneficiaries to network providers under Tricare Select will be expanded to include more non-cost preventive services from network providers. The treatment for obesity, high-value care and telehealth will be expanded under Tricare Select.

Enrollment Deaadlines

Automatic enrollment for current Tricare beneficiaries will take place on Jan. 1, 2018. This means Tricare Standard and Tricare Extra beneficiaries will switch to Tricare Select instantly.

Throughout 2018, beneficiaries will be able to enroll in or change plans. In the fall however, Tricare will begin an annual open enrollment time.

At this point, beneficiaries will have to decide if they want to keep or change their Tricare plan for the next year. The open enrollment time will begin each year from now on the Monday of the second full week in November until the Monday of the second full week in December.

Under the previous Tricare rules, a beneficiary could change from Tricare Prime to Standard and vice versa at any time. Under the new Tricare policy, beneficiaries will not be able to. All changes must occur during open enrollment only.

The rules for qualifying life events (QLE) will also change. When a QLE occurs, the beneficiary has 90 days after the event to change the Tricare program they are enrolled to different one. Any member of that person’s family can also change their coverage during that time.

2018 will be a transition year meaning you can still change your Tricare program anytime however.

Specific Changes

Prime beneficiaries will be able to get appointments quicker by not needing a referral for some things. Going to Urgent Care without a referral by the primary physician will be included in this.

Select beneficiaries will see a change to finances. Currently there is a cost share that requires the beneficiary to pay a percent of the total care. Under the new Tricare program, Tricare Select will pay a fixed dollar amount.

Tricare for Life beneficiaries will see their benefits preserved but the authority is there to restructure and updated them.

How will these Tricare changes impact military families?

As Tricare changes from a fiscal year to a calendar year period, military families might see a shift in money. If catastrophic caps or deductibles have been reached, now that the timeline has shifted, there will be no increase in out-of-pocket expenses during that time.

Tricare beneficiaries will be divided into 2 groups. All sponsors that joined the military prior to Jan. 1, 2018 will be in group A, which will be grandfathered in. Those who join the military on that date or later will be put into group B, known as the non-grandfathered group. There will be distinct enrollment fees as well as out-of-pocket costs associated with each group.

What actions should you take?

Beneficiaries must enroll in one of these programs or coverage will be terminated. If this happens, they will only be able to get care at a military clinic on a space available basis.

If you are currently enrolled in Tricare, you don’t need to do anything if you want to stay in the same plan.

If you want to change plans, you should do so. Before Jan. 1, 2018, dependents should make sure they are registered in DEERS. Updating your information in DEERS is a good idea.

What questions do you have about Tricare’s upcoming changes?

The Stigma of Mental Health and the Military Spouse

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Every little thing, from the endless crying of the baby to one dish being out of place, caused me to fly into a rage. When I wasn’t angry, I was deeply sad and sobbing. The walls felt like they were closing in and my chest felt tight. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t see a way out of the deep hole of depression.

It felt like I just couldn’t admit I was weak or that I needed help. I’d heard all of those saying about military spouses and strength. I was supposed to be the backbone of our family, keeping it all together when everything was falling apart.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed, out of sorts or just generally not yourself mentally and emotionally?

You are not alone. Approximately 30% of military spouses suffer from mental illness.

After I had my first child, I went deep into the postpartum depression rabbit hole. I didn’t want to upset the delicate balance of our lives, so I delayed seeking help until it was so severe I couldn’t function in my daily life.

Instead of talking about it, I drank much more than I should have. I used exercise to relieve stress obsessively. My weight and running times became unhealthy fixations. Most of all, I’m only just now, years later, realizing just how bad it was and how far I had gone. I’m so thankful I was able to claw my way out.

While I’m mostly “better” I will always struggle with mental health and I know that. I’m anxious about nonsense things or blow trivial matters out of proportion. Jumping to the worst possible scenario is pretty common for me in most challenging situations. I am painfully aware of what I say and how it could come across. There is a constant worry about how I might be perceived.

There is a stigma for military spouses struggling with mental health.

“How can that be? You’re literally telling the whole entire world about your struggles,” you might ask. You wouldn’t be wrong either.

But writing is different than in-person sharing. I’m hidden behind a screen and these words are typed not spoken.

The Stigma of Mental Health and the Military Spouse

Do you think there is a stigma around mental health struggles as a military spouse?

Military spouses who struggle with mental health often remain hidden. After all, we must be the backbone, the support system, for our whole family. We are the constant for our children who are often missing their other parent. Military spouses must handle everything that comes their way, mostly far from home and with an often-rotating support network of friends.

There is no fallback plan, no option for retreat. So most of us slog onward, dealing with our emotional battles in any way we can.

We self-medicate with alcohol and drugs. According to a recent study, almost 70% of military spouses had an alcoholic drink during a given month. Over 30% of those who drank were binge drinking. Others were smoking pot or using illegal drugs. Of course, some of these substances could have been used recreationally. But many military spouses drown their sorrows with a few glasses of wine or several beers every night.

You don’t want to talk about it or ask for help. There could be the perception of weakness or of taking needed resources away from deployable troops. Asking for help could draw unwanted attention or scrutiny to yourself, it could cause your service member to lose focus on the mission. Above all, you are supposed to be able to handle this.

There is no shame in asking for help.

I know this now. There are places to seek help readily available through “official” channels as well as completely confidential outlets.

A great place to start is with your chaplain or the Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC) assigned to your duty station or unit. Chaplains serve all members of the military community. There are religious leaders from all sects and faith backgrounds, Christian and non-Christian alike. If you are religious, starting here could be a positive first step.

MFLCs are available to all military service members and their dependents. There are MFLCs assigned to all bases, with many locations hosting multiple counselors. Contact your unit FRO to connect with your local MFLC. Your sessions are off the books completely. Literally, no notes can or will be taken at any time. There is no record of what you discuss or even that you have been counseled. Best of all, many MFLCs keep flexible hours and can meet you both on and off base.

Another option is to seek counseling services through Military OneSource. Simply call the hotline and ask to speak to a representative about mental health counseling. There are a few criteria in place in order to receive services, but they try their best to meet your needs.

I used this service in 2014 and 2015 for postpartum depression. I was able to see a therapist just a few blocks from my home during evening hours, which made it super convenient for me. Best of all, this was 100% cost-free.

For those who need something other than talk therapy, please seek help from a medical professional. If you use Tricare, your PCM can provide at least an initial diagnosis and treatment plan. Your doctor might refer you to a specialist or other medical professional to seek further treatment for your specific mental health concerns.

I also used this route. My PCM was quickly able to diagnose me with postpartum depression and prescribed me anti-depressants to help regulate my emotions.

I know now that true strength comes from seeking help when needed, and offering help to those in need. No matter who you see first, if you are suffering from mental illness, prolonged sadness, thoughts of self-harm or other mental health concerns, please seek help right away. There is no shame in asking for help.

Do you think there is a stigma around mental health struggles as a military spouse? Share your thoughts in the comments.

What Military Families Need to Know About the Flu Vaccine

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It’s that time of year again, flu season.

Have you and your family gotten the flu vaccine yet?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months gets the flu vaccine.

What Military Families Need to Know About the Flu Vaccine

Don’t let your fear of needles keep you from getting this year’s flu vaccine.

Here are the details you need to know about getting the flu vaccine as a military family.

Tricare pays for the flu vaccine, but they have strict guidelines that you must follow in order for your insurance to cover the cost.

The nasal spray that you or a family member may have gotten last year is not available this year. If you want the flu vaccine, you’ll have to get the injectable treatment. Here are 3 ways to get the flu vaccine and have it covered by Tricare.

How to Get the Flu Vaccine for Free Through Tricare

Visit a military hospital or clinic. You should call ahead and make sure that the flu vaccine is available. Some clinics have certain hours that walk-in vaccinations are done and some require an appointment. Active duty service members have priority so prepare yourself for a possible wait.

Visit an in-network pharmacy. You can search on Tricare’s website to find a local participating network pharmacy or you can call the Tricare line at (877) 363-1303.

Last December the Tricare retail pharmacy network changed so you may not be able to go to the same pharmacy you went to for your flu vaccine previously. Make sure you check if your pharmacy of choice is in network now.

For example, last year you might have gone to the CVS pharmacy in Target. Tricare no longer uses CVS. They switched to Walgreens.

You can also get your flu vaccine at Walmart, Kroger and Rite Aid to name a few.

Before heading to the pharmacy, call first. You’ll need to make sure a pharmacist will be available to give the flu vaccine, as Tricare will only cover the cost if it is given by a pharmacist.

If you get the flu vaccine by someone at an onsite clinic that is not a pharmacist, you may have to pay the full price of the flu vaccine.

Make sure when you talk to them to ask what hours the pharmacist will be available to give shots and if there is an age restriction. Some pharmacy policies do not allow them to give the flu vaccine to children under a certain age.

Visit a Tricare authorized provider. If you don’t have a primary physician, you can find a doctor through Tricare’s website. Note that you will be subject to your Tricare plan when going to see a doctor. This means you might have a copay or cost share for the visit. The shot however will be covered.

Active duty service members that do not want to get their flu vaccine from their primary care provider will need a referral to get one elsewhere.

Naval Hospital Jacksonville is offering the flu vaccine at the Naval Air Station Jacksonville Commissary on November 14 and 15.

If you are hesitant to getting the flu vaccine, remember that getting the shot is the first step you can take to protect yourself from the flu. It is required for all active duty, selected reserves and health care workers.

While everyone over the age of 6 months is recommended to get the flu vaccine, it is particularly recommended for pregnant women and people who suffer from chronic health problems such as diabetes and emphysema.

Don’t let being scared of a shot keep you from getting the flu vaccine. The flu is very contagious being spread by physical contact, coughing and sneezing. If you get the flu, you may have mild to severe sickness that could land you in a hospital. Make sure to wash your hands often to prevent the spread of this illness.

Now that you know how to get the flu vaccine for free, make time to get it done and protect yourself and your family.

What questions do you have about getting your flu shot?

How Does Tricare Work When You ‘Move Home’ for the Deployment?

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Fate has a peculiar sense of humor when it comes to military families.

Over the years, I swear no sooner had I

a) gotten settled in at a job I loved

b) found out I was pregnant

c) gotten settled in a job I loved and found out I was pregnant at the same time,

did my hubby call me up and say, “So, I just came down on orders for deployment.”

And while I had my share of long visits with family, I never made the choice that many military spouses make to move back home during a deployment. Being the one left to manage the homefront while your service member is down range isn’t dangerous, but it can be overwhelming. Medical issues, kids and just plain old loneliness make moving into your parents’ basement or a studio apartment up the street from your best friend very tempting.

In hindsight, moving back to a guaranteed support system and a familiar place would have probably lowered my stress level tremendously.

How Does Tricare Work When You "Move Home" for the Deployment?

Tricare makes it very easy to get medical care, no matter where you live.

If you are contemplating moving home during a deployment, you may be wondering how or if Tricare coverage will work for your family. Can you seek treatment in a location other than your duty station? What if home is on the other side of the county? What if it’s on the other side of the world?

Here’s what you need to know about Tricare coverage if going home makes the most sense for you.

Tricare has made it very easy to get medical care, no matter where you live. And no matter where you move, you’ll still be covered.

Most active-duty families are enrolled in Tricare Prime. More often than not, if you move to a location within the United States you’ll be able to stay enrolled in Tricare Prime, but there are a few caveats:

  1. If you live within 30 minutes of a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) and they have Primary Care Managers availability, you MUST use that facility for care. If they do not have a PCM availability, you will need to pick a PCM from an approved network of doctors.
  2. If you live more than 30 minutes, but no more than 100 miles away from a MTF and they have a PCM availability, you can apply to receive care there, but the decision is made at the facility’s discretion. If they do not have availability, you will need to pick a PCM from an approved network of providers.
  3. If there is no available MTF or network PCM, it may be necessary to enroll in a different Tricare plan. These might include Tricare Standard or Tricare Standard Overseas. To check to see which plan is available in your area, use the Plan Finder tool on the Tricare website.

As you might imagine, Tricare service providers don’t exactly have a crystal ball, so if you are planning on moving, you will need to let them know. It’s as easy as a quick phone call, but don’t forget to do it or you may find it difficult to receive care or worse yet, end up with a bill. Plan and treatment options are based on the address where you will be living (see the caveats above).

If you need some time to find a place to live that’s OK, just make sure you get any routine care before moving. You can seek urgent and emergency care out of region while you are moving, but things like physicals will likely not be covered while you are in transit.

When the time comes and you are ready to move back to be with your service member, don’t forget to let Tricare know you are switching back.

Did you decide to move home during a deployment? Did you have any issues with using your Tricare insurance while living away from a military base?

What to Do if Your Dentist Isn’t Accepting United Concordia

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On May 1, 2017, Tricare dental coverage for active duty, Guard and Reserve families will transition from MetLife to United Concordia.

What to Do if Your Dentist Isn't Accepting United Concordia

Do you know if your dentist will be an in-network dentist under United Concordia? Check with Tricare today to find out.

Along with this change comes many great new benefits, but unfortunately not all dentists will be accepting United Concordia. This means you have some choices to make when it comes to your family’s dental care provider. Below are the things you need to know to make an informed decision.

Should You Drop Your Dentist if They Drop Tricare When United Concordia Takes Over?

First of all, this change only affects active duty, Guard and Reserve families. Delta Dental will continue to administer dental coverage for retirees and their families and that program is not changing at this time. For those that are part of the change, an increase in benefits and lower premiums come with the transition to United Concordia. In fact, no benefits are being reduced.

One important addition to United Concordia taking this contract is that the annual maximum benefit, which was previously $1,300 will now increase to $1,500. Under MetLife, sealants required a 20% co-pay. With United Concordia, sealants will be free.

Tricare dental is a voluntary program. You have to enroll your family if you want to use it. Previously, when a child turned 4 that was registered in DEERS, they would automatically be added to the family dental plan if that family had enrolled in one.

Under United Concordia, on the child’s 1st birthday they will be automatically added to the family dental plan. That is an important thing to consider if only a spouse was on the dental plan paying single enrollment. On the child’s 1st birthday that would automatically move the plan to a family enrollment and along with that comes a higher monthly premium.

Premiums are going down under United Concordia. You can view the chart at Tricare.mil. While premiums for some programs are going down a small amount, others will see significant savings. A single enrollment for the dependent of an active duty service member currently pays $11.68 a month, but as of May it will decrease to $11.10. That isn’t much of a savings, but an active duty family plan does have a better rate. That premium drops from $34.68 to $28.87 under United Concordia.

That’s all great, but what if the dentist you visit no longer accepts your insurance once United Concordia takes over in May?

Some dentists will no longer be accepting Tricare dental since reimbursement rates are much lower for them with United Concordia.

Dr. Adams, a dentist in Hampton Roads, Va., sees his share of military families, but says he will be losing money if he continues to do so come May. According to him, the reimbursement from United Concordia will be 15% lower than it was with MetLife.

What should you do if your dentist drops Tricare?

You can visit any dentist you want with Tricare dental, but it might cost you more. There are 330,000 network dentists with United Concordia. You can therefore, stay with your current dentist and pay out of pocket or you can search for a new dentist. You can search for a dentist online or call United Concordia customer service at 1-844-653-4061.

It is important to check if your dentist is in network. If they are not, but accept some payment from United Concordia, they might bill you for the difference in what United Concordia does not cover. Don’t get stuck with a bill. A dentist that is in network cannot bill you for any difference in payment.

Any member of your family can see any dentist; you don’t all have to go to the same practice. If there are multiple providers, you will need to check that the one you are seeing is in network. There can be several dentists in an office, each choosing to accept Tricare or not.

The dentist you choose to see may not know everything that is covered by United Concordia. You can log into your account online to see what is covered before authorizing any procedures. You will not have to file a claim if you see a dentist in network; they will do it for you.

Sticking with a dentist that is in network can save you a lot of money. Call your dentist or check online to see if they will be in the network come May.

If not, ask friends for referrals to other dentists and try someone new. If you are set on staying with your current dentist, make sure you ask how much procedures will cost before you authorize them.

For more information about the United Concordia dental contract, visit Tricare.mil.