From overseeing the household to caring for family members, military spouses support their military partners. Because of their sacrifices, many organizations extend various military benefits to spouses. In this blog, we’ll discuss benefits and the organizations that offer health coverage to military spouses.
First Things First
Before you can take advantage of most military spouse benefits, your partner in the military must register you as a dependent in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). This is necessary in order for you to receive a USID (Uniformed Services ID) Card, which is needed for spouse benefits. To receive your USID Card, you will need to visit your closest RAPIDS (Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System) office and bring the required documents.
Health Benefits
One of the most valuable benefits for military spouses and their families is the low to no-cost insurance plans.
TRICARE
TRICARE, managed by The Department of Defense (DoD), provides comprehensive health coverage to active and retired service members and their families. Besides health coverage, TRICARE also covers prescription medications, dental plans, and other special programs at additional fees.
Your costs depend on your chosen plan: TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select.
- TRICARE Prime: With comparatively a limited choice of providers, this TRICARE plan has little to no out-of-pocket costs for military dependents.
- TRICARE Select: Similar to a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan, you’re able to see a doctor of your choice, but you may have to pay more out-of-pocket.
Policies for these two plans vary depending on where you live and offer other options and costs. And with TRICARE, as a military spouse, you can receive services outside military or government facilities.
TRICARE Supplemental Insurance
Adding a TRICARE Supplement Insurance Plan to your TRICARE coverage can help you further your cost savings. This added coverage minimizes, and in some cases, eliminates medical costs like co-pays, cost shares, prescriptions, and more. Learn more about GEA’s TRICARE Supplemental Insurance Plan or to estimate your monthly cost to save hundreds, use our TRICARE Cost Calculator.
CHAMPVA
CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs) is similar to TRICARE, as they are both comprehensive healthcare programs. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs manages CHAMPVA and shares covered healthcare costs. This plan covers a range of necessary medical and psychological services and supplies, including preventive care and specialized treatments. As a military spouse, you may be eligible for CHAMPVA coverage, which gives you access to a network of civilian healthcare providers.
CHAMPVA Supplemental Insurance
A CHAMPVA Supplemental Insurance Plan is designed to wrap around CHAMPVA plans to help cover medical costs primary plans don’t. By adding a CHAMPVA Supplemental Insurance Plan, CHAMPVA members’ costs associated with ER visits, prescriptions, and more can be reduced or eliminated. Learn more about how GEA’s CHAMPVA Supplemental Insurance Plan can help you save.
Life Insurance
Military spouses are eligible for life insurance coverage from various programs. One low-cost program is the Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI), which covers spouses and dependents of service members covered by Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI). Regardless of your partner’s status, active duty or retired, as a military spouse, you can qualify for FSGLI. Get a quote from top life insurance providers today.
Prioritize Your Health
TRICARE, CHAMPVA, and life insurance are just a few benefits and programs available to military spouses. Spouses should continue to explore health benefits and stay informed on resources to prioritize their health. As a military spouse, your ongoing support doesn’t go unnoticed; that’s why you deserve the best health coverage as a sign of gratitude.
Supplement Insurance with GEA
At GEA, we’re dedicated to helping our members receive accessible and affordable healthcare. TRICARE or CHAMPVA members can add our TRICARE or CHAMPVA Supplemental Insurance Plan to their current coverage. It can help cover medical costs your primary plan doesn’t, like co-pays, hospital stays, cost shares, and more. Visit our website to learn more.
