Q. How do I know when to seek medical help for urgent health problems? A. Sometimes it’s hard to know when to seek medical help for urgent health problems. Having access to a trusted medical professional at a moment’s notice is invaluable. The TRICARE Nurse Advice Line, or NAL, gives beneficiaries an easy option to…

Q:“I just got married, how do I sign-up my spouse for TRICARE?” A: You will need to register your spouse in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS, by completing a DD Form 1172, Application for Uniformed Services Identification Card and DEERS Enrollment. Provide this form and any other required documents to the Nellis Air…

Q:“Does TRICARE pay for power wheelchairs and scooters?” A: TRICARE may cost share on electric powered wheelchairs if they are medically necessary, based on TRICARE requirements. TRICARE won’t cover a power wheelchair or scooter for convenience, or for leisure or recreational activities. Scooters (electric-powered, cart-type vehicles) may be cost-shared as an alternate to an electric wheelchair,…

Q:” Our sponsor is no longer on active duty. What do we need to do to get Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for our child who may have an Autism Spectrum Disorder?” A: There are two parts to your question.    1. Under the basic TRICARE benefit, your child needs to have a Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosed by…

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed Aidan looks at drawing of his family’s designated meeting spot he would go to if an emergency or disaster forced him to leave his house in Las Vegas, Sept. 23. It is important to include children in the planning and practice of emergency sheltering or evacuation….

Q:“Are TRICARE deductibles and co-payments fixed, or do they increase as I get older?” A: TRICARE deductibles and co-payments are established by law; they may change if the law changes. At this time they are not linked to age, but are linked to the particular TRICARE option being used (Standard/Extra/Prime).   Send your questions to askthedoc@nellis.af.mil

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Victoria Sneed Master Sgt. Bryan Anderson, 99th Medical Group patient advocate, speaks with a patient at the Mike O’Callaghan Federal Medical Center on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Sept. 15. Patient advocates are located in each clinic and at the group level to help patients with any medical…

Q:  Does TRICARE cover custodial care?   A:  No. Custodial care (care provided for someone’s daily needs such as eating, dressing, or providing a place to sleep, as opposed to taking care of their medical needs), whether provided in an institution or home, isn’t covered. Some aspects of the care may be covered, such as…