Deployments and Your TRICARE Benefits

The weeks and months leading up to a loved one's deployment can be one of the most stressful times a family will ever face. To help make the days both before and during a deployment easier, here are some things every family should know about their TRICARE benefits.

If you are moving out of the area while your spouse is deployed you must make arrangements to ensure that you and your family members will receive TRICARE Prime coverage.  If the area in which you will be living is in a TRICARE Prime Service Area in the TRICARE West Region, continuing your family's TRICARE Prime coverage is simple. You must change your family's primary care manager (PCM) and update your family's personal information in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System  (DEERS) using one of two methods:

  • Visit the TRICARE Beneficiary Web Enrollment (BWE) site at https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/bwe/ to make changes: or
  • Submit a DD Form 2876. TRICARE Prime Enrollment Application and PCM Change Form to TriWest Healthcare Alliance Corp. (TriWest).

A common mistake you and your family could make is not changing your PCM upon moving and receiving health care in the new location without a referral, which will result in higher point of service (POS) costs. It is very important that you select a new PCM who can provide and coordinate your health care in the new location. Until this is done, you need to coordinate your family's health care with your previous PCM to avoid POS costs.

If the area in which you will be living is in a different TRICARE Region, i.e., North or South, but still in a TRICARE Prime Service Area, the above two methods can be used to update your family's enrollment. If a TRICARE Prime Enrollment Application and PCM Change Form is used, be sure to submit it to the new regional contractor after arriving in the new location. Do not transfer enrollment before moving and family members must continue to coordinate care with your family's previous
PCM until the PCM changes are made. The new PCM change will take effect on the day it is received by the new regional contractor.

For a list of areas covered by each region, as well as regional contractor information, visit http://www.tricare.mil/ mybenefit/home/overview/Regions. If you're not sure which region covers your family's new location, contact TriWest at 1-888-TRIWEST (1-888-874-9378).

If your family will be living in a non-TRICARE Prime Service Area, your family will need to disenroll from TRICARE Prime after arriving at the new location. Your family can disenroll by submitting a TRICARE Prime Disenrollment Application form to TriWest. Once your family is disenrolled from TRICARE Prime, your family's coverage will switch to TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra. (Aritcle from TRICARE HealthMatters) For the most recent information contact your TRICARE regional contractor, TRICARE Service Center or Beale Clinic.

Key Spouse Training

The Key Spouse program is always looking for energetic spouses that would like to volunteer with this program. The Airman & Family Readiness Center provides initial Key Spouse Training (in 3 separate sessions) and ongoing advanced training.

Module 2: Tuesday, 6 Oct, 6:30-8:30pm (This is a date change)
Module 3: Tuesday, 20 Oct, 6:30-8:30pm    

All training takes place at the Airmen and Family Readiness Center. Please pre-register for each module by calling 634-2863.

What is the Key Spouse Program?

Deployments, remote tours, and extended TDYs are a military fact of life.   Our active duty members are gone more often and for longer periods of time than in the past.  These can be trying times for the family members left at home as they face the many challenges of separation.  Spouses are left juggling the home, kids, and careers without the physical support of the military member.

Spouses and families are not left alone during these times.   Key Spouses are volunteers appointed by their respective squadron to assist with quality of life programs and services.  The Key Spouse Program provides a framework for stability and support for the families by maintaining regular contact with family members and referring them to base agencies and squadron resources.

By facilitating the flow of communication between spouses, leadership, and base agencies, the Key Spouse program enhances mission readiness.

Family Member Guide to the Key Spouse Program
Leadership Guide to the Key Spouse Program

Key Spouse Contact List

Hopefully you get to know your squadron Key Spouses before you need them through informal contact and squadron events.  If for whatever reason you don’t know who your Key Spouses are please refer to the partial listing below or contact the Airman and Family Readiness for a referral.

 

How to Become a Key Spouse

The Key Spouse program is always looking for energetic spouses that would like to volunteer with this program.  There is no experience needed – only a commitment to the program goals and a positive attitude.  There are no set appointment lengths, though it is usually preferred if you can commit to an initial year.  Time commitments vary by squadron and are usually very flexible.

The Airman and Family Readiness Center provides initial Key Spouse orientation and ongoing advanced training.  Basic orientations and advanced training are held quarterly. 

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Key Spouse, contact your unit Orderly Room, First Sergeant or the Airman and Family Readiness Center.

 

Enhancing Your Key Spouse Program

Are you already a Key Spouse but struggling to get your squadron program going? Are you confused about what is expected from you? Do you have a good basic Key Spouse program but want to bring it to the next level but aren't sure how to do it? If you answered yes to any of these questions then "Program in a Box" is for you!

"Program in a Box" is a compilation of best practices and "good ideas" from Key Spouses with successful programs here at Beale. It discusses working with your squadron leadership, building a basic program, and enhancing an existing program. The program includes a resource CD full of references, sample documents, and support links.

Contact the Airman and Family Readiness Center to sign up for the next facilitator lead training or just come by and pick up the CD for a "quick start" to your program.

Building Your Unit's Key Spouse Program