A popular question we receive is whether or not TRICARE covers nursing home care.  At some point in our lives, many of us will have to make a decision about moving into a nursing home—either for ourselves, or for a family member.  Understanding the specifics of TRICARE’s skilled nursing coverage can help you with these choices.  Skilled nursing care isn’t typically provided in a nursing home.

• Skilled nursing care is normally provided for rehabilitative services, with projected improvement goals.
• Custodial care is defined by law as providing assistance with the activities of daily living (bathing, dressing and eating) and can be provided safely and reasonably by a person who is not medically skilled.

While some of us look forward to a weekend filled with friends, family and fun, let us not forget that Memorial Day is much more than the “unofficial start of summer.”  As the swimming pools and amusement parks open, and the schools and businesses close, don’t forget to take a few moments to remember a fallen service member and his or her family and friends.

Memorial Day is a wonderful opportunity to take the time to attend a community celebration or parade.  Let us reflect on the contributions and sacrifices of these great American heroes as we honor their memories and their lives. 

Keep in mind that a neighbor, co-worker or friend may be grieving the loss of a loved one this year.  If you know someone who’s experiencing depression or other feelings associated with the loss of a friend or family member, encourage him or her to get help. 

To find help in your area, visit the mental health resource page at http://www.tricare.mil/mentalhealth/Default.aspx or call The Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Brain Injury Outreach Center at 1-866-966-1020. 

On Monday, May 25, 2009, we at TRICARE want you to remember that Memorial Day is more than just another holiday.  It is a day to remember those who have died while valiantly serving our nation.

As most of my readers know, in all military careers, there comes a time to move on to the next great adventure.  My time is very near as I am retiring after 36 years, 10 months, 15 days serving this great country.  I have enjoyed many opportunities and successes during this time, but none have meant more to me than serving all you great Americans as deputy director for TRICARE Management Activity.  It has truly been an honor and a privilege to work for you during the past 3 ½ years—as your champion for improved benefits, as well as helping you access the health care you deserve.

In particular, I have enjoyed communicating with you on my blog.  I greatly appreciate the thousands of visits and the hundreds of comments you’ve shared here over the last year.  It is this type of communication that will help to ensure that TRICARE remains the world-class health care program you deserve.

Although I am moving on to new challenges and adventures, I assure you that you will continue to receive the information and support you have come to expect.  I hope that you will continue to share your thoughts and concerns with my successor, Rear Admiral Christine S. Hunter, the way you’ve so freely shared them with me.

RADM Hunter shares my commitment to helping our deserving TRICARE beneficiaries get the support they need.  Like you, we want TRICARE to be the world’s best health care program, one that is worthy of serving our nation’s heroes—our military members and their families who sacrifice so much for this country.

Thank you.

By now, you’ve probably read or seen somewhere that H1N1 (swine) flu has continued to spread.  There have been suspected or confirmed cases across the country, including at schools and military bases.  While these cases initially caused schools to close, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) no longer recommends schools closures for a suspected or confirmed case of the H1N1 flu. 

In terms of its symptoms, the H1N1 flu really isn’t much different than the typical seasonal flu. The main difference between seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu is because it is a new virus, we don’t have immunity to it and there is no vaccine to protect us from it yet.

According to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, even if the World Health Organization (WHO) raises the pandemic alert level, it still doesn’t mean the H1N1 flu virus has increased in severity.  But rather it shows that the virus has become more widespread.  And, although the virus has spread to more countries, recent statistics from the CDC show that most cases have been mild and do not require hospitalization. 

Nevertheless, it’s still important to pay attention to your health and to practice good hygiene habits to avoid getting sick.  I can’t stress enough the importance of practicing good hygiene.  So, again, here’s the list of things to do to help stay healthy:

• Wash your hands frequently, and especially after caring for someone who’s sick.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers works when hand washing isn’t practical.
• Get plenty of rest and eat properly.
• Practice social distancing when in crowds.
• Stay away from those who appear to be sick.
• Avoid shaking hands.

• Stay home at least 7 days if you have flu-like symptoms, unless you’re going to get medical care.
• Talk to your doctor about whether an anti-viral drug would be right for you.
• Don’t send your child to an “alternate” daycare if he or she becomes sick.
• Use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze.
• Throw your tissue away after you use it.
• Cough into your sleeve instead of your hand.