Due to the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, there has been an increased need for programs and services to aid our returning service members. Warrior Transition Units (WTUs), the Warrior Navigation and Assistance Program (WNAP) and TRICARE’s respite care benefit are among the many resources available to returning service members and their families.
 

Warrior Transition Units

Since mid-2007, the Army has opened 35 WTUs and nine community-based health care organizations to provide necessary care for the more than 30,000 wounded, ill and injured soldiers returning from the War on Terrorism.
 
WTUs provide health care, counseling and leadership support along the entire continuum of care, all within an environment mirroring the soldier’s former unit. Care includes specialized help with personal relationships, stress management, counseling and a range of services aimed at encouraging each warrior to take positive steps toward overcoming adversity.

Warrior Navigation and Assistance Program

Humana Military Healthcare Services, Inc. created the WNAP to help guide warriors and their families through the maze of health care systems, connect them with resources so they can return to productive lives and help them over hurdles they encounter.
 
Returning warriors and family members may call the WNAP at 1-888-4GO-WNAP (1-888-446-9627)
for assistance. Providers with complex issues involving wounded warriors and their family members may also call this number Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST. If calling after hours, please leave a message and your call will be returned the next business day.
   

Respite Care Benefit

Respite care is short-term care for a patient in order to provide rest for primary caregivers who have been caring for the patient at home. The TRICARE respite care benefit was recently expanded to include eligible beneficiaries who incur a serious illness or injury while serving on active duty.
 
ADSMs may qualify for the benefit if they have a serious injury, illness or psychological condition that results in their being homebound and needing frequent help from a primary caregiver (i.e., more than two interventions during the eight-hour period per day when the primary caregiver would normally be sleeping). To provide the best possible rest for caregivers, this benefit provides a maximum of eight hours of respite care per day, five days per week. Those who qualify may be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket cost associated with respite care services since January 1, 2008. Services must be performed by a TRICARE-authorized home health agency, and there are no cost-shares or copayments when the services are approved by the Military Health System.
 
For more information about programs for wounded, ill and injured service members, visit our Warriors Navigation and Assistance Program section.

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