Military Benefits

Comprehensive news and information from Marine Corps Times about military benefits

‘Why weren’t you there to protect us?’ Hawaii military families grill Navy leaders about toxic water

Officials said they have now identified three Air Force housing communities, five Navy communities and two Army communities affected by the contamination.

31 hours ago

Military health care deadlines looming

Dec. 13 is the deadline for Tricare and FEDVIP enrollment and changes.

8 days ago

Mil Money

CVS returns to the military Tricare pharmacy network. Walmart’s out

Walmart officials, who signed an agreement with Express Scripts Sept. 30 to continue in the network, were surprised by the news they're out.

Despite drug shortages, military has mostly been able to find alternative supplies

National supply chain issues are causing more drug shortages, according to reports. But the military appears okay for now.

6 weeks ago

Ensign Kaitlyn Leibing, right, helps Hospitalman Angela Mello don personal protective equipment (PPE) before entering a COVID-19-positive, non-critical patient’s room at Naval Medical Center San Diego on Aug. 4, 2020.

Moving more military patients out of MTFs could cause them ‘significant harm,’ study finds

Military patients are getting better quality of inpatient care in MTFs, compared to those getting care in local civilian hospitals.

7 weeks ago

Pharmacy costs increasing Jan. 1 for active-duty families, retirees and others

After holding the line on cost of meds for 2021, Tricare officials are increasing the cost anywhere from $1 to $8 for 2022.

2 months ago

How displacement can affect spouses — the perspective of a psych nurse and senior enlisted’s wife

A sense of isolation has led some spouses to intensive mental health crises, says this psychiatric nurse and Space Force spouse. But there are things that can be done to address these issues before they become overwhelming.

2 months ago

Lack of oversight caused VA to overspend by tens of millions on prosthetics: watchdog

An OIG report has found the VHA is overspending on prosthetics.

2 months ago

New plan scales back massive cuts in military medical billets

Many of the billets will be either replaced by civilian hires or their work will be 'absorbed' by others.

3 months ago

Deadline looms for working-age retirees to reinstate lost Tricare Select coverage

The deadline is June 30 to reinstate your Tricare Select coverage.

6 months ago

Backlog of pathology cases forces Fort Belvoir hospital to take action

No information is available about whether backlogs are widespread in DoD health care.

6 months ago

Marketer sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for role in massive Tricare fraud scheme

Scheme involved charging thousands of dollars for compounded medications that Tricare beneficiaries didn't need.

6 months ago

Some Texas Fisher Houses undergoing repairs following extensive winter storm damage

Damage is estimated at $266,000 at one Fisher House at Lackland AFB.

6 months ago

Billet cuts affecting military medical facilities and patients, lawmaker says

'We’ve seen them lose access to quality care.'

7 months ago

Military parents would get 12 weeks of leave to care for new children under congressional proposal

The time off would apply to both primary and secondary caregivers.

7 months ago

Some military treatment facilities failed to limit ADHD prescription lengths, audit finds

At least 65 military treatment facilities ignored Defense Health Agency guidance to limit ADHD prescriptions to no more than 90-day supplies.

7 months ago

DoD launches online COVID-19 vaccination scheduling tool

DAP allows you to schedule a COVID vaccination, if you're eligible, at participating DoD locations using any computer, tablet or smartphone outside the DoD network.

8 months ago

Troops and families report mixed results in COVID vaccine availability

Some bases are making it easy to get shots for those eligible; others are scouring availability in the civilian community.

8 months ago

Sexually transmitted infections increasing in the military

Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are on the rise across the military. HPV and genital herpes are decreasing in frequency, according to a new study.

8 months ago

Pandemic adds strain on already stressful life of military kids: child psychologist

Congress should commission a long-term study on the pandemic's effects on military children's educational outcomes, compared to their civilian peers, researchers say.

8 months ago

Tricare expanding program for nearly 16,000 military family members with autism

Some aspects, like an autism services navigator, are good, but military special needs families "are still wading through the effects of the changes," advocate says.

8 months ago

Tell us: If you’re in the military community, where are you getting your COVID-19 vaccination?

Has your experience in trying to get the COVID shot been easy or frustrating?

9 months ago

VA to launch full review of electronic medical records overhaul amid concerns over project’s progress

The 12-week review will look at issues with the new system but will not consider abandoning the project.

9 months ago

puzzle jigsaw heart on brain, mental health concept, world autism awareness day

DoD’s conclusions ‘flawed’ about military children’s progress with autism therapy, expert says

Leading researcher says DoD's conclusions that military kids aren't making progress with ABA therapy are flawed and based on 'incompetent interpretations.'

9 months ago

Sewage in bathtubs, more mold, stinky closet: Officers sue landlord over Monterey housing

Their daughter’s teacher reported “that there was a stench emanating from the little girl’s clothes."

9 months ago

Spc. Elayna Luckey prepares a dose of COVID-19 vaccine Jan. 5, 2021, in Austin, Texas.

COVID shots may be widely available to military families in April

Fauci says high school-age children may be able to get the COVID-19 vaccination sometime in the fall.

9 months ago

DoD makes it easier for millions in Tricare Prime to get COVID shots outside the military without paying

For Tricare Prime enrollees: When your turn comes to get the COVID vaccination, if it's in the civilian community you won't need a referral.

10 months ago

Retiree’s wife: Here’s what to do if you think you’re still covered under Tricare Select

“My concern is that we thought we had done it all correctly and were never notified of the error. We ended up spending a month scuba diving without health insurance." -- retiree's wife.

10 months ago