As social distancing has increased the necessity for virtual health visits, many military families are finding certain telehealth visits are not reimbursed by TRICARE.

U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Martha McSally (R-AZ) recently sent a letter to the Defense Health Agency highlighting the urgency to expand this type of coverage, particularly for mental health services.

The senators noted that Medicare and Medicaid have lifted restrictions due to the pandemic and call for DHA to do the same for TRICARE.

“Service members undertake an incredible sacrifice to protect our country, and it is all too often that the strains of a military deployment take a toll on the mental health of themselves and their families,” the senators wrote in the letter. “It is critical that they continue to receive mental health services at all levels of care without risking exposure to COVID-19.”

Photo by Jacob Sippel/Navy