A Choice?

An update on my family: everything worked out swimmingly.  My husband made it home from Afghanistan and ten days later I gave birth to a darling little girl.  We couldn't have asked for a more perfect turn of events.

But when we took her to her 48 hour well baby appointment, I heard words I've never before heard in the Army.

Military Health System News

Information from MHS:

October is Women's Health Month.

Healthy Debate is asking - what the Department of Defense should continue, improve or change to better support the health of female service members, particularly the wounded, ill or injured.

Check out the new WarriorCare feature.

For more health related information go to the MHS website.  You can also follow MHS on facebook.  

Counseling Assistance & Behavioral Health Come 'Home'

You will soon be able to access care from your computer.

More after the jump.

Groundbreaking Forum: A Warrior Care Webhall with Senior Military Leaders

Sorry I'm late in getting this up, but what a great concept. It's happening today from 2-4 EST.

More details after the jump:

Us and Them: The Great Healthcare Divide

I left my glasses in Tacoma. That's really bad. Especially since I had a good book, a good magazine and eight hours of flying ahead of me. I'm as blind as a bat when looking at objects close to me. Needless to say, it was a miserable flight as I couldn't read.

When I got home, I opened the bills and started to pay them, but was squinting and thought better of it. Not wise to pay bills when you can hardly see. I could have wiped out our checking account, underpaid a bill or paid it on the wrong date. So, I made an emergency eye appointment yesterday. I was due for an exam anyway. I was super-excited to learn that I would get a fantastic discount on my new glasses due to a promotion (bought two pair - sometimes I do learn my lesson the easy way).

I called my husband with the great news. He didn't get it, exactly.

Respite Care

It's tough on caregivers to maintain 24/7 care of their loved one.  After several years, I can't imagine how some families are still able to hold it together.  Now, TriCare offers primary caregivers of active duty servicemembers rest, relief, and reprieve authorized by section 1633 of the 2008 NDAA.

The respite benefit helps homebound active duty servicemembers who need frequent help from their primary caregiver. This benefit provides a maximum of eight hours of respite per day, five days a week. Active duty servicemembers, or their legal representatives, can submit receipts for reimbursement of respite care services beginning Jan. 1, 2008, by a TRICARE-authorized home health agency.

For more information on this benefit visit TRICARE’s Web site.  Make sure you look into all the details if you need this and feel you should qualify! 

Articles from TriWest

TriWest administers the TRICARE system in 21 western states. Last week, they sent over some interesting aticles designed to help educate military families about their healthcare benefits. After the jump, you'll find three articles:   

Children's Deployment Stress May Mirror Their Parents'

TRICARE Coverage for Your College-Bound Child

Don't Leave TRICARE at Home: Traveling With TRICARE   

Pre-existing and they're turning 21 ...

Bash the system to your hearts desire, but I for one feel that the medical benefits we enjoy via TRICARE are by and large, top of the line.  I know, I know, we all have exceptions and stories that would scare the stripe off of a skunk, BUT, by ... and ... large, it's a good program.  What we don't always know is, what truly ARE our medical care benefits and how do we achieve them?  Settle back, I've a story that one of you just might be interested in ...

Let's say you've been successful in rearing your family.  And by chance and happenstance, one of your children develops a serious condition, let's pick a biggie, the Big C, cancer.  TRICARE is doing its job in securing treatment and paying most if not all of the expenses of treatment.  Your child is making it through school, the cancer is being beaten, but they're about to be emancipated from you, the sponsor, because of either age or college completion.  But the treatments aren't over?  And you just know you can't get another health insurance provider to pickup coverage for the pre-existing condition ... Good Grief, Now What?

Health Updates

Servicemembers and Families Asked to Participate in Health System Poll

The U.S. Department of Defense Military Health System is asking Servicemembers and their families to take the online Military Health System Poll. The poll is designed to help the DoD understand the areas within the health system in need of improvement. To participate, go here.

TRICARE Launches Website in Spanish

As part of its ongoing effort to educate beneficiaries about available programs and healthcare plans, TRICARE has launched the TRICARE Beneficiary Website “en Español.” To experience the new website, please go here.

TRICARE Reminder

You have a few days left to submit your TRICARE questions for our show with General Granger.

TRICARE Updates

TRICARE is a 'double edged sword' type of subject for most military families.  However, TRICARE can be great and I must give them props for continuing to roll out improved services that help military families.

Free Tricare advice for Southern Region

All the Preparation in the World

We've talked on this blog before about anticipatory grief, and our second panel at SpouseBUZZ Live hit on it over the weekend as well.

But as much as you plan for the tragic events in your life, as much as you steel yourself against them and go through them in your head so you will be mentally and emotionally ready for them, I don't think you can accurately judge how it's going to feel until you live it.

I have gotten some insight into this today.
My husband and I lost our baby.

I love the Emergency Room!

Okay, maybe "love" is not the appropriate word, but an absolute miracle occurred today when I had to visit the ER.

Actually, my 3-year-old daughter was the patient and my DH was the one who took her.  DH had taken our two kids sledding and my daughter now has a VERY swollen nose and under-eye area.  She is doing fine - her face found a sled just a bit too close for comfort!  DH said she rolled off her sled and turned around to get back on just as another kid (not my son, thankfully) rolled off his sled and the sled found its way to my daughter's face.  In the meantime, I was out shopping while waiting for the oil change in my car... then I got "the call" from DH and high-tailed it to the ER.

Now... here's the miracle:

TRICARE - Trying or Caring?

I know TRICARE is one of our favorite pinatas...but right now they are on my list of Thanksgiving.

Lilah (almost four months!) just had her open heart surgery and I am thanking God that if she had to have a Congenital Heart Defect, she was born while we are in the military.

TriCare...Pure Poetry

T ime-consuming
R edundant
I infuriating
C onfusing
A AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!
R idiculous
E veryone's favorite target!

Ah yes, aren't we all inspired by our health-care system?  Recently, I've had yet another TriCare snafu and it's made me stay up late and write poetry.  Thought I'd share my latest and most printable!