Healing Together: TRICARE Resources for Warrior Care

  • Published
  • By Brian P. Smith
  • TriWest Healthcare Alliance
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  They are returning from combat in record numbers. With scars seen and unseen, wounded members of the armed services are making their way through hospitals, clinics and facilities from one side of the world to the other. Advances in medical technology, personnel protection and battlefield medicine are seeing more than 92 percent of service members wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan survive their battlefield injuries (according to the U.S. Army Medical Department). Then they are on their journey through recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration.

The Department of Defense (DoD) and the Military Health System (MHS) have made the care of wounded, ill or severely injured service members a priority. To help those service members and their families understand the breadth of resources available, the DoD has selected November as Warrior Care Month (www.warriorcare.mil), highlighting services and programs for wounded, ill and injured members of the military.

TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the TRICARE managed care support contractor for the 21-state West Region, works with MHS partners to help wounded warriors and their families access the health care they need, when they need it. To more efficiently access care, it is important that beneficiaries understand how the different programs can work together.

Using TRICARE and Medicare
If receiving Social Security disability payments, TRICARE beneficiaries younger than 65 may be eligible for Medicare Part A. Part A eligibility can be due to disability, end-stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To keep TRICARE eligibility, TRICARE beneficiaries with Medicare Part A must also take steps to enroll in and pay for Medicare Part B (except active duty family members and beneficiaries enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select or the U.S. Family Health Plan). TRICARE has more information about the requirements and exclusions at www.tricare.mil.

Using TRICARE and the VA
Recovering Service members may also have certain health care benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Some VA facilities are part of the TRICARE network. With the proper referrals and authorizations, beneficiaries can use their TRICARE benefits at VA facilities. Use the Online Provider Directory at www.triwest.com (Find a Provider > Search by Facility) to find local VA facilities in the TRICARE network. Contact the VA at 1-877-222-8387with health care benefit questions and visit www.va.gov for a VA facility locator.

Community Resources
Organizations help support recovering service members and their families locally and across the country. TriWest is honored to be able to support many of these groups, nationally and in the TRICARE West Region, including:
o Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) offers programs helping families with child care, support services and health and wellness. (www.asymca.org)
o Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) uses peer mentors to help show injured Service members that they can participate in sports at any level. (www.challengedatheletes.org)
o Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is dedicated to building better lives for disabled veterans and their families. (www.dav.org)
o Fisher Houses are located near certain military treatment facilities to provide support services and nearby lodging for families of military patients. (www.fisherhouse.org)
o National Military Family Association (NMFA) serves military families through education, information and advocacy. (www.nmfa.org)
o Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) provides programs and services, advocates for quality healthcare and benefits for paralyzed veterans. (www.pva.org)
o Wounded Warrior Project raises awareness and support for wounded warriors. (www.woundedwarriorproject.org).

Supporting the Department of Defense (DoD) initiative dedicating November as "Warrior Care Month," TriWest Healthcare Alliance kicked off a month of giving thanks with its "30 Ways in 30 Days" outreach initiative for recovering service members and their families. The initiative includes a laundry list of contributions, resources, ongoing care coordination and other efforts to support recovering service members and families, as well as the organizations that support them.

For more information about Warrior Care Month and resources for recovering service members and their families, visit www.triwest.com or www.tricare.mil.