Dear TRICARE Provider,

I want to acknowledge and thank you for supporting TRICARE and its beneficiaries. My husband has been deployed for the past year and will be coming home soon. However, I’ve run into many Army wives whose active duty spouses will be gone for their second, third and, in some cases, fourth
tour of duty “in harm’s way” over the next year.
 
With considerable responsibilities added to our daily routines, it’s good to know we have reliable health care and good providers, thereby affording us one less headache. The tried and tested military wife has come to accept that she will have to see to the preventive checkups, sports physicals, surprise broken bones and very often the arrival of a new baby alone and away from family. Not to brag, but we consider
ourselves the “backbone of the active duty military,” which usually accounts for our tough exterior during our often fragile states!
 
We are responsible for holding our families together and taking care of business at home so that our active duty husbands can concentrate on their missions while they are away. The health and welfare of our children are of the utmost importance, and we truly appreciate your willingness to understand our position and show regard for our frayed nerves when we come to your office.
 
I am one of the newer Army wives on the block, but I have prior experience as a civilian with civilian health care. From my perspective as a TRICARE beneficiary, TRICARE offers a comprehensive health care benefit for both my children and me. One of my younger children is in the Exceptional Family Member Program, which provides services for TRICARE beneficiaries with special needs. The
special attention provided is a comfort to my husband while he is away and reinforces for me that I am not alone in monitoring and addressing her special needs.
 
All of the TRICARE providers my family and I have seen have been understanding, considerate and, along with their staffs, have provided great service, too! As a military wife, I can tell you personally that we all rely on you as we await the return of our loved ones, prepare to move to a new post or set up the crib for a new arrival.
 
Thank you, TRICARE providers!
We are so glad you’re here!
 

Signed,
An Army Wife