Healthcare & Wellness

Tricare Overseas — Full Coverage on Foreign Soil

Tricare Prime / Select / Overseas coverage continues at full benefit when the service member or family is OCONUS on PCS orders or extended TDY. Includes off-base civilian-network care (Japan, Germany, UK, Korea, Italy) plus all on-base Military Treatment Facility care. Internatio

Tricare Prime → Select Switch via PCS (Qualifying Life Event)

Your first PCS counts as a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) — you can switch Tricare plans (Prime ↔ Select) within 90 days of the move without waiting for open enrollment. Useful if the new duty station has poor Prime network access or your specialist won't take Prime referrals.

Military OneSource — 12 Free Counseling Sessions Per Issue, Per Year

Military OneSource provides up to 12 free non-medical counseling sessions per issue, per year, for active-duty, Guard, Reserve, recent-separated (up to 365 days), and family members. Confidential — NOT reported to command unless duty-to-warn triggers fire. Covers individual, coup

VA Pregnancy Benefits — Full Prenatal to Postpartum Coverage

VA Healthcare covers the full pregnancy journey for enrolled veterans: prenatal care, OB/GYN visits, ultrasounds, labor and delivery (via VA Community Care contracts), lactation support, breast pumps, postpartum mental-health screening, and 7+ days of newborn care. Many veterans

VA D.O.U.L.A.S. Program — Free Doula Support for Veteran Mothers

Miami VA launched the D.O.U.L.A.S. Program (Doulas Offering Understanding, Love, Affirmation, and Support) providing trained doula support to expecting and new-mother veterans throughout pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. Pilot program expanding to additional VA medical

COMPACT Act — Free Suicide Crisis Care, No VA Enrollment Required

Under the COMPACT Act, ANY eligible veteran — even those not enrolled in VA healthcare — can receive emergent suicide crisis care at ANY emergency department (VA or non-VA) at no cost. Covers up to 30 days of inpatient/crisis residential care + up to 90 days of outpatient follow-

VA Telehealth Eye Care — Remote Eye Exams Without Dilation

VA has rolled out remote tele-ophthalmology at many medical centers. A trained technician scans your eyes with a retinal camera; the images are read by a remote VA eye specialist. No dilation drops, no waiting weeks for a specialist appointment.

Semper Fi & America's Fund — Free Service Dogs + Wellness Program

Semper Fi & America's Fund (thefund.org) provides service dogs at no cost to combat-injured Marines AND other-branch combat-injured veterans dealing with PTSD, TBI, mobility limitations, or related conditions. Also runs an integrated wellness program covering nutrition, breathing

Virtual Hope Box — Free DoD Mental Health App

Virtual Hope Box is a free smartphone app developed by the Defense Health Agency for service members, veterans, and their families dealing with PTSD, suicidal ideation, or emotional crisis. Patient + therapist build a personalized "hope box" of coping resources (photos, audio, vi

VA Mental Health Services

Mental health care at all VA medical centers. No enrollment or disability rating required for services at Vet Centers. Covers PTSD, MST, substance abuse, Women Veterans mental health.

Vet Centers (community-based counseling)

Community-based centers offering individual, group, marriage and family counseling. FREE FOR LIFE — no VA Healthcare enrollment or disability rating needed.

TAMP (Transitional Assistance Management Program)

180 days of premium-free TRICARE after separation. Not automatic — must meet specific eligibility. Same coverage as active-duty TRICARE during the window.

CHCBP (Continued Health Care Benefits Program)

18–36 months of temporary TRICARE-equivalent coverage after losing TRICARE eligibility. Must enroll within 60 days. Premium-based.

Dental and Vision After Retirement (FEDVIP)

Retirees lose TRICARE dental. FEDVIP is the replacement — enroll 31 days prior to or within 60 days following retirement. ~$150/month.

VA Dental (Class I/II/IV eligibility tiers)

VA dental care available to specific tiers: Class I (service-connected dental disability), Class II (recently separated, 180-day window), Class IV (100% disabled or POW). Most veterans miss the Class II window.

MyHealtheVet patient portal + Blue Button

VA's online health portal. Refills, appointments, secure messaging, and "Blue Button" downloads of full medical history.

VA Community Care (formerly Veterans Choice)

VA pays for care at non-VA providers if VA can't see you in time, distance, or specialty. Major access expansion under the MISSION Act.

Bereavement Counseling (Vet Centers)

Free bereavement counseling for parents, spouses, children, siblings of service members who died in service. Available at any Vet Center, no enrollment.