How to Update DEERS Online
Click here to update your DEERS online. (Please note you must have a MyPay login to do this from your personal computer). Click on DoD and/or VA Beneficiaries, then select Continue. Click OK. Login using your myPay user name and password. After the system has let you in, you may update your information.
How to change your PCM online for Military Dependents
Click here to update your PCM for Tricare online. (Please note you must have a MyPay login to do this from your personal computer). Click on ‘Log On’ listed in red at the top of the page. Click on the DFAS/MyPay link. After you log in, a list of patients listed under Tricare will show up. Click on the blue people in the box listed on the far right hand side to change your PCM. You may also update your addresses by clicking on the pencil icon.
Please note when you are searching for a new PCM, you may choose ‘Civilian Care’ or ‘Military Treatment Facilities.’ If you are searching for a provider, you must choose the city, specialty and gender before results are shown. I have also found better results by typing in the city/state rather than searching by zip code.
Over 30 minutes drive time allows you to utilize a civilian primary care manager for free without any co-pays of fees. For those who live less than 30 minutes from a Military Treatment Facility, you cannot use Civilian Care. There are exceptions—if you are wanting to use a pediatrician and there is no pediatrician at the closest facility, but the main hospital has a pediatrician and is more than 30 minutes away … you can use civilian care. It is wise to call Tricare and talk to a specialist to have them verify your doctor and make notes on your file before you make an appointment with your new provider.
An important note: your new civilian care manager must be less than 30 minutes drive time as well. All times are calculated with the Bing mapping system. You must have a drive time waiver access (DTWA) on the Tricare Prime Enrollment site if your civilian provider of choice is more than 30 minutes away.
Tricare for those married to Active Duty Military
Here is a great overview or read below.
Exceptional Family Member Online Information
Tricare PRIME
- Free for all military dependents. They will pay 100% of all medical bills. You must see your authorized Primary Care Manager (PCM) on base or office out in town (may be a civilian provider in some cases), everything will be paid for. If you get a referral to a private care provider outside of the PCM or hospital, you will get everything paid for as well.
- You can go to ANY emergency room for a bona fide emergency and they will cover 100% of those costs.
- Prime also includes free pharmaceuticals at military installations and designated pharmacies.
Tricare PRIME POS Option
- Allows you to receive non-emergency care from private providers without a referral. Those visits may be subject to a ($300 individual, $600 family) E5 and above or ($50 individual, $100 family deductible) E4 and below.
- 50% cost shares for inpatient and outpatient claims and excess charges up 15% over the allowed amount may also be implemented. The 50% cost-share continues to be applied even after the Enrollment Year catastrophic cap has been met. When you use this option, all of the Tricare STANDARD rules automatically apply, except for the NAS (Nonavailability statement).
Tricare Prime REMOTE
- This is for those who don’t have a military base within proximity of your home (50 miles or an hour commute) if you move away during a deployment or get stationed at a remote place like Bridgeport, CA.
- You will get a Primary Care Manager (PCM) assigned to you at a public hospital. In some cases, you can apply for travel reimbursement.
Tricare STANDARD and Extra
- You may choose to go out in town, but you will end up paying 20%.
Are you Moving or PCS’ing and Use Tricare?
If you move home during a deployment (or are away for more than 30 days) you will need to switch your Tricare. It takes at least 30 days to move the paperwork over, so if you know that you’re going home, put your request in early so you know you are covered.
Tricare Prime Overseas
For active duty and families stationed overseas.
Tricare Global Remote Overseas
For active duty and families stationed in remote areas overseas.
Tricare Plan Wizard
Great tool to help you find the best option for you and your family.
Life Events
If you are having a baby, going through a deployment, or have any other major life issue, click here for great information.
Tricare Cost Co-Pays
Here is a great table discussing co-pays.
I want to have a baby outside of a military hospital
Can be done with Tricare Prime if you call Tricare and find a Tricare authorized OB and hospital. This is the only way to do this with no out of pocket costs. You can choose to get your own provider, but may have to choose Tricare Standard in that instance. Best bet is to call Tricare and discuss your situation with them.
Non-Active Duty Tricare Information
Tricare RESERVE Select
This is an option to purchase for reserve and national guard members.
Tricare for Life
Available to those who are eligible for Medicare
Other Care and Benefits for Military Dependants
Dental
Dental is not included for free, however, it is very affordable through Met Life. There’s two rates: one for the military spouse, the second is for when you add children. Once you add one child, it is free for the rest. Make sure that you really take the time to utilize the orthodontist policy carefully. You get a ONE TIME $1500 allowance per person. If you have started on your treatment, move and are not finished with your orthodontics, it is too bad, so sad.
Retiree Dental Program Information Here
Optical
You get one eye exam per year through Tricare Prime. Any glasses or contacts necessary will be on your own dime with the following exceptions. Make sure you ask if you get a military discount from your provider, many will provide one. Tricare does pay for certain surgical treatments. Check with Tricare to find out which ones those are.
Prescriptions
100% of your prescriptions are covered at the hospital through Tricare Prime. If you don’t want to pick up your prescriptions at the hospital or have a prescription for medication the hospital doesn’t carry, you can get 90-day prescriptions throughExpress Scripts mail order program for a small fee. You may also pick up your prescriptions out in town for a very small co-pay. Civilian pharmacies are $3 or $9 co-pay.
Life Insurance
Your active duty Marine has the option to sign up for SGLI, the life insurance offered at a very cheap rate. Your Marine can get life insurance up to $400,000. Spouses can also get life insurance through SGLI for a very affordable amount as well. Once the spouse is covered for life insurance up to $100,000; children are automatically covered for $10,000 each.
Free Eye Exams for Babies
If you have a child aged six months to one year, you can get a free eye exam with no income requirements. This benefit extends to everyone, not just military families.
