By Katie Dale
As with much of life, there’s always room for improvement. However, regarding Tricare’s coverage for my years of counseling and inpatient stays in the psychiatric facility, I can’t complain. You see, as it stands, most Medicaid-insured patients will get a limited 3 or 4-day stay at psychiatric hospitals. Most medical insurances require a co-pay also. With Tricare, I was able to get eleven days at a time, for three nearly consecutive stays without my family having to pay one cent. Tricare has also been supportive of mental healthcare by permitting access to provider—counselors/therapists, and psychiatrists who prescribe psychotropics—without referrals.
As if mental health isn’t enough a controversial topic, mental illness is a whole other ball of wax. When one is admitted to the psychiatric wing of a hospital – which is a trial in and of itself –there’s usually a medically necessary reason. Thanks to Tricare and the admissions staff, my state of severe psychosis warranted the need for close monitoring and treatment that Tricare covered in full.
It’s a long story, but to make it short: Tricare has made my continuity of care all but burdensome. I have had smooth transitions from base to base and provider to provider since marrying my active duty Air Force husband in 2009. Staying on the Tricare Prime plan has been sufficient for my mental (rather, brain illness) healthcare needs.
Since my symptoms have been in remission for 18 years minus a few months inpatient in 2012, I advocate for serious brain disorder equity with a national coalition of patients, families and providers. We are working to put pressure on Congress to repeal certain laws limiting access to treatment for those in acute conditions so they may receive inpatient treatment for as long as necessary. Without those changes, most in the civilian world won’t be able to stay long enough, or worse, be turned away because of lack of parity.
Although there’s a long way to go in treatment and approach to mental healthcare, Tricare makes access to mental healthcare easier for active service members and their families. By providing coverage for counseling, psychiatry, and in-patient stays, they’ve been ahead of the game; there’s no shame in that.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or having suicidal thinking, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is now easy to access in every state—simply dial 988, or text 741741.
Author: Katie R. Dale blogs and advocates about mental illness and faith, having published her memoir about psychiatric hospitalizations. She is mom to one child in heaven and one on earth and married to her hero in Air Force uniform. They presently reside in the Emerald Coast of Florida until the Air Force sends them to their next duty station. Find her at KatieRDale.com.