The DHA's Empower the Patient campaign attempts to help beneficiaries protect their health care information and reduce the jeopardy of cybercrimes.  Here are two websites that can help inform TRICARE beneficiaries about how to keep their information safe: Military Health System and TRICARE Cybersecurity.

For more information on the TRICARE online portal click here.

Senate Subcommittee Reviews Veteran's Suicide
The Senate Appropriations, Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies recently held an oversight hearing on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) veteran suicide prevention programs. The Subcommittee accepted testimony from the VA Inspector General, as well as staff from the Veterans Health Administration, Military Veteran Project and the RAND Corporation. Subcommittee Chairman Sen. Jerry Moran (Kan.), Ranking Member Sen. Brian Schatz (Hawaii) and other subcommittee members inquired about resources and support the VA needs to lower the number of veteran suicides.

There have been recent press reports claiming the VA Crisis Line is still sending nearly one third of calls to outside back-up call centers. This is still happening, despite pledges in 2016 by VA officials to stop the practice, following a report from the Inspector General that found the call centers routed veterans to voicemail. The VA established the call center in 2007, anticipating 10 percent of all calls would be routed to a backup call center if all the phone lines are busy. Even though a second call center was opened in 2016, the number of rerouted calls remains high.  The VA estimates 20 veterans commit suicide every day. FRA gives suicide prevention programs a high priority and welcomes this oversight hearing to help ensure that these programs help our veterans.  

Also discussed was the impact of access issues in rural areas, properly managing chronic pain and the VA's delay in addressing VA Inspector General's criticism of the current program.

TRICARE Changes Coverage for Nexium
Starting June 28, 2017, TRICARE will no longer include the drug Nexium in the preferred, or formulary drug list and it will no longer be available in military hospitals or clinics. In order to prepare for the change, patients are currently being asked to switch to one of the following three preferred alternatives that have been shown to demonstrate effective results.

•    Omeprazole
•    Pantoprazole
•    Rabeprazole 

Doctors may determine the preferred alternatives are not right for beneficiaries and that Nexium is "medically necessary." To be medically necessary means the drug is appropriate, reasonable and adequate for the condition. In those cases, TRICARE will continue to cover the cost of Nexium, minus the $20 copay, for a 90-day supply of home delivery and $24 copay for a 30-day supply via a retail outlet. Your doctor must submit a prior authorization and a reason why it is medically necessary via the Express Scripts doctor line in order for you to fill your prescription.

For patients who continue to use Nexium with a prior authorization but WITHOUT a doctor's medical necessity determination, the non-formulary copay cost will be $49 for a 90-day supply via home pharmacy delivery or $50 for a 30-day supply via a retail outlet.

Nexium is a popular drug for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This reflux acid irritates the lining of the esophagus, which over time can lead to GERD. TRICARE argues that many people can make lifestyle changes and take over-the-counter medication to manage their GERD symptoms. For more information regarding brand, generic drugs and which drugs are on TRICARE's formulary list please click here. 

DFAS Address for Retirees, Annuitants Changed May 1
Military retirees and annuitants corresponding with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) need to use a new address. The old addresses in London, Ky. have been used for years but will be discontinued and replaced by two new addresses in Indianapolis, Ind. 

To help speed up receipt and customer service, use these new mailing addresses:

Retired Pay correspondence:
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
U.S. Military Retired Pay
8899 E 56th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46249-1200

Annuitant Pay correspondence:
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
U.S. Military Annuitant Pay
8899 E 56th Street
Indianapolis, IN  46249-1300

Mail received at the old mailing addresses after May 1 has been forwarded to the new address. The telephone and fax numbers will remain the same.