TRICARE Rehab for Treatment of Veterans and Active Military

If you’re not in the military, then you may have a family member, friend, or someone else serving there. What have you learned about the challenges they face? Deployment of the military can be stressful. It severely affects relationships, physical health, and how people think. It can also lead to drug or alcohol abuse, and if not treated, this substance abuse can last for years.

What Are the Implications of Illicit Drug Abuse on Active Military and Veterans?

Around 9% of US military personnel have used illegal drugs. However, this rate may be higher because the survey’s statistics rely on self-reporting. Many military personnel and veterans use drugs but are unwilling to speak up due to fear of being stigmatized or tarnishing their reputation in the service.

The rate of drug use increases when a military person retires, probably because of the freedom one gets away from the disciplined forces. Approximately 4% of veterans have reported using marijuana and 1.8% using other illicit drugs. Therefore, post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD) has become a common problem for veterans.

Another problem associated with drug misuse in the military is suicide prevalence. This issue affects both active duty military and veterans, with statistics showing that at least 20 military or veterans die every day from suicide. A good percentage of such suicides are triggered by mental health issues and substance use.

Furthermore, many active military personnel and veterans are homeless, and this may affect their mental health in the long run. Roughly 10% of homeless adults in the United States are veterans. Many of these homeless people struggle with substance abuse, leading to more stress and anxiety. In the long run, this may trigger serious disorders or health conditions.

Introducing TRICARE Rehab for Military and Veterans

The Military Health System’s primary objective is to ensure that active-duty service members remain physically and mentally fit to perform their duties. Private and publicly financed treatment facilities around the U.S. accept health insurance from the military. TRICARE is one organization that provides insurance and benefits to active duty service members, veterans, and their families.

TRICARE is a civilian insurance program that is under the administration of the Department of Defense. The program provides healthcare to various defense force members, veterans, and related members. The members include active duty military service members, National Guardsmen, veterans, and their families. As long as you are a registered member of the veteran affairs or you’re an active military member, you can access V.A. healthcare through the TRICARE program.

If you’re a military officer affiliated with TRICARE insurance, you can access healthcare in several locations in the U.S. There are health-related issues that the military hospitals don’t provide. So, the military health system works with TRICARE and other health providers to close the gap and ensure that the military receives services like substance use disorder treatment, rehabilitation, and mental health care.

With so many health providers authorized by TRICARE, you must pick and visit one within your region. If you’re struggling with substance addiction or mental health issues, you should go to a provider offering SUD treatment and rehab services. You may have to dig deep into your pocket to cater to the premium expenses if you’re not eligible for the TRICARE rehab services.

Interestingly, TRICARE has several plans for the military with various levels of coverage. You’ll be able to choose a plan depending on your military affiliation. These plans determine the value of your treatment. It means the costs can be higher if you pay for premium health services. But services such as vision, dental, and prescriptions are covered in addition to the standard medical coverage.

Is TRICARE Rehab Beneficial for Active-Duty Military and Veterans?

If you’re an active military member or a veteran suffering from substance use disorder, consider utilizing several resources available to help you recover.

TRICARE is one of the best rehab and healthcare providers that can help active military and veterans receive comprehensive rehabilitation coverage to help them recover from drug addiction. Anyone in the U.S. military or a veteran who has signed up for TRICARE can get a wide range of health care services for themselves and their families.

Military setups were once known for their strict discipline and responsibility-focused culture, where you’re required to do the right thing at the right time and place. So, talking about issues related to physical, emotional, or mental health was seen as a sign of weakness and could lead to a bad reputation or a perceived threat to your job security.

It’s difficult to keep confidential information in a military setup because sometimes medical records aren’t kept confidential. It’s arguably perceived that a military officer is supposed to be physically and mentally fit at all times. So, reporting psychological and mental health issues has not been given the top priority it deserves.

However, with time, there has been a shift in the narrative, with several military branches coming together to fight stigmatization and give hope and a platform to military personnel with mental health issues. Just like physical health, mental health is crucial for military personnel to perform their duties.

TRICARE insurance provides comprehensive health care that covers the rehabilitation of drug addicts and mental health treatment for all registered active military and veterans. TRICARE covers inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment at certain HealthNet Federal Services (HNFS) centers in the United States.

What Exactly Does TRICARE Cover for Active Duty Military and Veterans?

The mental health benefits provided by TRICARE underwent significant revisions in 2017. Substance abuse therapy, particularly for opioid addiction, was included in the expansion. Inpatient drug treatment facilities include everything a person would need right there on the premises. For instance, there is no longer a weekly limit on how often an addict may seek treatment.

TRICARE covers several addiction treatment services, including:

• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): This includes higher-level care than standard outpatient care, a transition from inpatient treatment, relapse prevention, and treatment for mental health issues, among other things
• Emergency and non-emergency medical coverage: These include medical and psychiatric emergencies, immediate hospitalization, and inpatient detoxification
• Psychotherapy of individuals, families, or groups of clients
• Medication-assisted treatments, such as mental health therapy and rehabilitation
• Psychological assessment, testing, and treatment of clients
• Opioid treatment of clients
• Partial hospitalization services for substance use disorders and psychiatric disorders

Importance of TRICARE Insurance to Active Military and Veterans

TRICARE has been hard at work expanding its array of therapeutic options. Addicts who need to continue working or caring for their families while receiving therapy can benefit from outpatient programs. Once an opioid use disorder has been identified, treatment programs are covered by TRICARE. Active duty military personnel face the same problems of substance misuse as civilians.

TRICARE has also increased access to outpatient and partial hospitalization programs for drug addiction. Those with severe addictions benefit most from inpatient drug rehabilitation. Even if they have previously undergone treatment, the recovering addict may benefit from a residential drug treatment program. Contact your local TRICARE office or visit the website or online platform to see what types of inpatient treatment are covered under your plan.

Military retirees who are at least 60 years old and any of their qualified dependents are eligible for the TRICARE Standard plan. However, they must pay a yearly deductible, coinsurance, and any out-of-pocket expenses. They are free to see any civilian doctor who accepts TRICARE as payment, however. Clients enrolled in TRICARE Standard can join TRICARE Extra, which expands their network of covered civilian healthcare providers and lowers their out-of-pocket expenditures.

TRICARE Prime is another health maintenance organization (HMO) that serves active-duty troops, veterans, and their families. Clients may choose a primary care physician and, if required, be directed to a network of specialists, some of whom may be able to help them in overcoming an addiction.

What Is the Eligibility for Substance Use Disorder Treatment With TRICARE?

Active military officers, some veterans, and other beneficiaries are eligible for free drug and alcohol rehab treatment, while others may be required to pay a nominal fee. The maximum amount you or your family may pay out of pocket for health care services may be zero if you have a good package.

Affordable outpatient rehab programs with TRICARE coverage are available. Out-of-network outpatient treatment clinics are typically more expensive. However, medication-assisted therapy may be given in an outpatient or inpatient rehabilitation environment. This critical treatment is usually provided free of charge to TRICARE veterans; however, some out-of-network clinics may charge a small fee.

Dual-diagnosis therapies for co-occurring mental health issues are standard in most evidence-based rehab programs and are covered by most TRICARE-authorized rehab facilities. Co-occurring treatment costs vary depending on the kind of TRICARE coverage.

Individuals who do not qualify for TRICARE or VA health insurance have many additional choices for paying for substance use disorder rehabs and mental health treatment treatment. Other options for funding addiction treatment include:

• Medicaid coverage
• Grants from the government for drug misuse treatment
• Plans for private health insurance
• Scholarships for veterans

Donation-based charitable groups may also provide free or low-cost therapy to low-income people. These establishments may charge a nominal entry fee to help cover boarding expenses.

Remember, to be eligible for TRICARE benefits, you or your family member must be enrolled in DEERS. Members of the armed forces have automatic enrollment in DEERS, but their families need to sign up individually. You may accomplish this by visiting a card office or making an appointment on the website. If you are an active military officer or a retired veteran suffering from a substance use disorder, consider contacting your nearest TRICARE rehab for treatment.

Browse VeteranRehab.org for more free resources on mental health and addiction treatment for veterans and active military personnel.