|
If you are a dependent or a retiree, you do NOT
need a referral or an authorization of any kind of get counseling off
post. Simply look in the phone book or do an online search and call the
place you would like to set up an appt with. They will do your
authorization paperwork for you. Just make sure you bring your Military
ID card to your first appt.
***************
When an active duty military individual needs to talk to a counselor and
does not want to talk to anyone on post, they have a choice of how to go
about getting the services they need:
1. They may use their Tricare insurance. (Which pays for
as many sessions as needed to provide relief or resolve the situation
for the soldier).
2. They may pay for sessions with cash or check and not use either
their Tricare insurance or their Employee Assistance Program. (They
may pay for as many sessions as they can afford)
***************
Insurance vs. the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for the active duty
soldier.
Again,
dependents and retirees can use their Tricare Insurance by simply
making an appt off post. They do not need to worry about using the EAP.
The Employee Assistance Program is for the employee (the active duty
soldier).
Tricare
is the insurance (managed health care) program for military,
dependents and retirees. (It replaced the previous CHAMPUS plan). The
TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) contracts with several large health
insurance companies. The company Healthnet provides services for
Tricare North Region, which includes the Ft. Bragg area.
(See
www.myTricare.com)
Advantages of using
Tricare Insurance:
-
If you are needing more than 6 sessions, you don’t have to switch
therapists. You can start and finish with the same therapist.
Disadvantages of using
Tricare Insurance:
-
You have to get your pcm to fax a referral to Tricare. This can
take anywhere from 24 hours to several weeks’ wait. (However, once
Tricare receives the referral, they fax the authorization to the
therapist usually within 24 hours)
Since
using a one source referral (EAP) may result in the soldier still having
to go through the same paperwork process to start using the Tricare
Insurance, and since they will not be able to see the same therapist
they started with for longer term therapy, some soldiers (who don’t meet
the criteria below) decide to skip the EAP and just use their Tricare
insurance.
If you have any questions
about this topic or would like me to address different topics in future
articles, please contact me through my website below.
Thank you for your Service and for all you do for us!
Verna
Dority, MSW, LCSW, a veteran, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and owner
of Carolina Counseling Services in Fayetteville, NC.
------------------
Other Articles:
1.
Understanding Psychobabble
2.
Do my children really need counseling?
|
