TRICARE is the health care program for military members and their families, providing coverage for medical and dental services. Spouses of service members are eligible for TRICARE coverage, but the specifics of coverage can vary depending on the particular plan and circumstances. Here’s a look at what TRICARE covers for spouses.
Medical Coverage
TRICARE offers several different medical plans for spouses of military members. These plans provide coverage for doctor visits, hospitalizations, surgeries, and prescription medications. Most plans require that spouses pay a yearly deductible and a percentage of the cost of care, known as copayments.
Dental Coverage
TRICARE also offers dental coverage for spouses of military members. These plans cover routine dental cleanings, X-rays, fillings, and other basic services. More extensive procedures, such as root canals and orthodontics, may require additional coverage or out-of-pocket expenses.
Mental Health Coverage
TRICARE provides coverage for mental health services for spouses of military members. These services include counseling, therapy, and psychiatric care. Some plans may require prior authorization for certain types of mental health services.
Maternity Coverage
Spouses of military members are also eligible for maternity coverage through TRICARE. This coverage includes prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum care. Some plans may require that spouses pay a deductible or copayment for certain maternity services.
Emergency Care
TRICARE provides coverage for emergency medical care for spouses of military members. This coverage includes emergency room visits, ambulance services, and urgent care services. However, it’s essential to check with your specific plan to understand the requirements and limitations on emergency care coverage.
In conclusion, TRICARE coverage for spouses of military members provides a range of medical, dental, mental health, maternity, and emergency care services. By understanding what is covered under your specific plan, you can ensure that you and your family have access to the care you need when you need it. If you have any questions about TRICARE coverage for spouses, be sure to reach out to your plan provider or military healthcare representative.
To learn about other benefits for military spouses, click HERE
A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) can be a stressful and overwhelming experience, for military families.
Whether you’re moving across the country or overseas, there are a lot of things to consider. Here are my best tips for preparing for a PCS.
Start Planning Early.
When it comes to a PCS, it’s important to start planning early. Ideally, you should start planning six months before your move. This will give you plenty of time to research your new location, prepare your home for sale or rent, and make any necessary arrangements.
Get Organized
Organization is key when preparing for a PCS. Create a PCS binder that includes all of your important documents, such as orders, medical records, and school transcripts. Keep track of your household goods inventory, and make a list of items that you want to sell, donate, or throw away.
Research Your New Location
Researching your new location is essential when preparing for a PCS. Learn about the local schools, housing options, and community resources. Look for information about the climate, culture, and recreational opportunities in the area. This will help you and your family adjust to your new surroundings.
Create a Moving Checklist
Making a moving checklist can help you stay organized and ensure that nothing falls through the cracks. Include tasks such as notifying utilities, canceling subscriptions, and scheduling movers. Break down larger tasks into smaller steps, and set deadlines for each task
Take Care of Yourself and Your Family
Preparing for a PCS can be stressful, but it’s essential to take care of yourself and your family during the process. Make time for self-care activities, such as exercise, prayer, or spending time with friends. Talk to your children about the move, and help them prepare emotionally by letting them know what to expect.
Seek Support
Finally, seek support when preparing for a PCS. Reach out to your military installation’s Family Readiness Officer, who can provide resources and support for military families. Connect with other military families who have gone through a PCS, and ask for their advice and tips.
In conclusion, preparing for a PCS may seem daunting, but with some planning and preparation, you can make the process smoother and less stressful. By starting early, getting organized, researching your new location, making a moving checklist, taking care of yourself and your family, and seeking support, you can navigate the PCS process with confidence. Remember that a PCS is an opportunity for adventure and new experiences, and with the right preparation, you can make the most of it.
When you married your husband, you may have wondered if his benefits will also cover you. You’re in luck! Service members with dependents are given additional compensation, as well as access to a range of valuable benefits. Here’s what you need to know about military pay and benefits with dependents.
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a non-taxable stipend that provides housing compensation for military members. The amount of BAH paid depends on the service member’s rank, location, and whether or not they have dependents. Military families can use this allowance to pay for rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and other housing-related expenses. Having dependents typically increases the amount of BAH a service member receives.
Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)
The Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) is another non-taxable stipend that provides food compensation for military members. This allowance is designed to offset the cost of meals for service members and their families. Like BAH, the amount of BAS paid depends on the service member’s rank and whether or not they have dependents.
Tricare
Tricare is the military’s health care system and provides coverage to all active-duty service members and their eligible family members. Dependents of military members are eligible for Tricare coverage, which includes medical, dental, and vision care services. There are several different Tricare plans available, depending on the family’s circumstances and location.
Education Benefits
The military offers a range of education benefits to service members and their families. These benefits can include tuition assistance, scholarships, and grants. The Post-9/11 GI Bill is one of the most popular education benefits available to military families. This program provides financial assistance for education and training programs for veterans and their dependents. It can be used to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and housing.
Childcare Assistance
Military families with children may be eligible for childcare assistance programs. The Military Child Care Fee Assistance program provides financial assistance to military families who need help paying for child care. The program helps families pay for child care in licensed facilities or in-home providers.
In conclusion, military members with dependents can access a range of valuable benefits to help support their families. From housing allowances to education benefits, the military provides a safety net for service members and their spouses and children.
Want more info on your benefits as a military spouse? Get it here!
One of the benefits of being married to someone in the military is getting your dependent ID card. This card, along with the last 4 digits of your service member’s social, can unlock the proverbial door to just about any situation.
If you’re the forgetful type, like me, you tend to lose the most important things in life. I’ve lost my dependent ID more times than I care to disclose, so I highly recommend keeping it on a lanyard around your neck or clipped to your keys. Don’t worry, here’s a way to be responsible and cute.
Showing your card can grant you access to base (post), allow you to see medical documents, or less importantly, earn a discount at many retail locations. Several chains offer the discount as a policy, but they don’t always ask. If you aren’t sure, simply ask if they offer a military discount at the counter while they ring up your items, and have your ID ready.
The discount, if offered, is usually about 10%. Some service industries offer more. Many businesses honor service members and their families with free meals on holidays like Veteran’s Day. Check to see if a discount is offered when booking flights, hotels, or even choosing phone plans. I won’t list the names of companies here, because it tends to change from year to year, but you can usually Google it.
When I was a young wife, I was too proud to use coupons, or inquire about discounts. I didn’t want to appear needy. Of course then, we needed it more than ever. Wisdom certainly comes with age, so here’s my advice:
Your husband serves in the military. There are companies who want to honor his hard work with a discount. Have your dependent ID card ready, and just ask.
As the wife of a service member, life can be both rewarding and challenging. Things can change quickly, and since so few of us actually experience it, it isn’t highly talked about. I want to tell you briefly, what it’s really like being a military wife.
You will move often. Your husband will likely get transferred every 2-4 years. This can obviously, bring about challenges. When you start to feel at home, and begin making really good friends, that’s usually when it’s time for someone to move. Fear not: I’ve made friends in California and seen them 3 years later in Japan. The military community is pretty small, so you will likely see your friends again! On the bright side, your family has the chance to visit parts of the country (and maybe foreign countries) that you may not have visited otherwise. What an opportunity!
Your husband will leave. Not permanently (hopefully), but periodically. He will have training, and school, and deployments where he’s away for several months at a time. You’d think the toughest part would be managing the home and children without him. Not to worry, you will instinctively step into place, and learn to function well in his absence. What’s really REALLY hard (besides how much you miss him) is reintegrating when he returns. For 6 months, you’ve had your own routine, and moved the furniture the way you wanted, and relied on yourself to do what needed to be done. Now, it’s time to step aside and allow him back into place and to include him in the routine.
I’ve heard women say that its hard making friends in the military, but I find it really easy. If you live on a military installation, your neighbor will be a fellow wife. Strike up a conversation, easy. If you have hobbies, find a group on Facebook, and attend their events. Read my detailed advise on how to do that here. These women will quickly become your closest friends. They will watch your kids so you can have date nights, they’ll bring your favorite dish for the Thanksgiving potluck, and they’ll happily become your emergency contact for medical purposes. Best of all, they understand your lifestyle.
There is a lot of nuance to being a military wife. We are all different, after all. The things we have in common are we all understand the sacrifice and change that come with marrying a service member, and we love him enough that we don’t mind.
Still figuring out life as a military wife? Get some extra tips here.
I'm a wife, crunchy mom of 5, Jesus lover, and homemaker. Join me on this wild journey of moving every 3 years to unpredictable locations as the wife of a US Marine.
