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The Doctor is in... (Article 2)
David N. Tornberg, MD, MPH
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Clinical and Program Policy

Are your child’s vaccinations up-to-date? With summer winding down and kids going back to school, August is the perfect time to schedule doctor appointments for your family’s immunizations. Some vaccinations may be due at that time and your doctor can also suggest the best time for other recommended immunizations. Recommendations may vary for children in different age groups or for children with certain medical conditions who require additional immunizations.

Children are particularly vulnerable to infection, and immunizations are important for their health and well-being. By staying up-to-date on recommended vaccines, you can protect your children from these diseases: chicken pox, polio, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), Haemophilus Influenzae type B (a bacterial microorganism that causes several serious, often life-threatening illnesses), meningococcal disease, pneumococcal disease, influenza and hepatitis B. Immunizations also contribute to the well-being of everyone by reducing the chance for diseases to spread.

Here’s a checklist for your child’s back-to-school medical needs:
 
  Take your child to the doctor for all necessary immunizations.
 
Fill out all emergency contact and health information forms for your child’s school.
 
Tell the school nurse and your child’s teacher about any medical conditions or allergies (food, drug, latex, etc.) your child may have.
 
Make arrangements with the school nurse to give your child any medications he or she might need.
 
Tell your child’s teacher about any conditions that may affect how he or she learns, such as attention deficit disorder or a vision problem.

TRICARE knows immunizations are important for your child’s health and we provide all age-appropriate vaccines recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices. Recommended vaccines are available at military treatment facilities as well as TRICARE network and non-network providers.

Many schools require immunizations for attendance. By immunizing on time, you can protect your child from being infected and prevent the infection of others at school or day care centers. Schedule your child’s appointment for immunizations today!


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Continued Coverage for Transitional Survivors (Article 3)

If your active duty sponsor passes away, you remain eligible for TRICARE as an active duty family member without interruption—meaning your costs will not increase and your coverage will not change unless you change your program option. During this time, you are considered a “transitional survivor.”

After three-years, your benefits will change. You will receive a letter from the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) soon after the death of your sponsor informing you about your survivor benefits. You will receive another letter three years later before your benefits change.
 
Transitional Survivor Period
If you are enrolled in TRICARE Prime when your sponsor passes away, your coverage will continue uninterrupted as long as your information is correct in DEERS. Effective May 5, 2006 TRICARE Prime Remote for Active Duty Family Members also offers the option of continuing the Prime benefit.

Benefits after Three Years

At the end of the three-year transitional survivor benefit period, your TRICARE coverage continues with some additional changes. If you are currently enrolled in TRICARE Prime, you will be disenrolled—you must re-enroll and begin paying annual enrollment fees to continue TRICARE Prime coverage. You may be able to keep your current primary care manager. If you don’t want to re-enroll in TRICARE Prime, you will be covered by TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra.

If you move within the next three years, be aware that your TRICARE options may change. Humana Military can assist you with the TRICARE health care plan options available to you in your new area. If you move to an overseas location, please call 1-888-777-8343 for further details about TRICARE benefits available overseas.


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Last Reviewed:  December 4, 2007