By now, you’ve probably read or seen somewhere that H1N1 (swine) flu has continued to spread.  There have been suspected or confirmed cases across the country, including at schools and military bases.  While these cases initially caused schools to close, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) no longer recommends schools closures for a suspected or confirmed case of the H1N1 flu. 

In terms of its symptoms, the H1N1 flu really isn’t much different than the typical seasonal flu. The main difference between seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu is because it is a new virus, we don’t have immunity to it and there is no vaccine to protect us from it yet.

According to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, even if the World Health Organization (WHO) raises the pandemic alert level, it still doesn’t mean the H1N1 flu virus has increased in severity.  But rather it shows that the virus has become more widespread.  And, although the virus has spread to more countries, recent statistics from the CDC show that most cases have been mild and do not require hospitalization. 

Nevertheless, it’s still important to pay attention to your health and to practice good hygiene habits to avoid getting sick.  I can’t stress enough the importance of practicing good hygiene.  So, again, here’s the list of things to do to help stay healthy:

• Wash your hands frequently, and especially after caring for someone who’s sick.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers works when hand washing isn’t practical.
• Get plenty of rest and eat properly.
• Practice social distancing when in crowds.
• Stay away from those who appear to be sick.
• Avoid shaking hands.

• Stay home at least 7 days if you have flu-like symptoms, unless you’re going to get medical care.
• Talk to your doctor about whether an anti-viral drug would be right for you.
• Don’t send your child to an “alternate” daycare if he or she becomes sick.
• Use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze.
• Throw your tissue away after you use it.
• Cough into your sleeve instead of your hand.

Everywhere you look today, you are hearing about the swine flu—now known as the H1N1 flu.  However, like President Obama said, we should certainly be concerned, but not alarmed. 

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
• Use an alcohol-based hand cleaner when soap and water are not available
• Avoid crowded places and being in close contact with sick people
• Never touch your face, eyes, mouth or nose without cleaning your hands
• Disinfect surfaces such as toilet handles, light switches and remote controls that are regularly shared with others
• Stay home if you have flu-like symptoms

Keeping all of your family’s information up-to-date in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) is essential for maintaining your TRICARE benefit coverage. Updating your information is simple, and in this blog you’ll find the necessary resources to help you avoid the unnecessary headache of losing your TRICARE coverage. The last thing I want is for you to experience a lapse in coverage because your information in DEERS was not updated. Remember, while keeping DEERS current is simple, it is ultimately your responsibility, so please take a look at the following information.

• Retiring or separating from active duty
• Activating or deactivating from National Guard or Reserve
• Changing your service status (enlisting to officer, changing branch, etc.)
• Getting married or divorced
• Having a baby or adopting a child
• Moving
• Becoming eligible for Medicare (sponsor or family member)
• Losing a family member

• In Person
  To add or remove family members, visit a local ID card office. You can search for an office near you by ZIP code, city, state or country by visiting the ID card office locator.  Call the office first to verify address and business hours. 
   
• By Phone
  Call the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office at 1-800-538-9552 to update your home address, e-mail and phone numbers.   (TTY/TDD for the deaf:  1-866-363-2883)  
   
• By Fax
  Fax home address, e-mail or phone number changes to the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office at 1-831-655-8317. 
   
• By Mail
  Mail changes to the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office.  You must include supporting documentation if you are updating a family member's status:
  
  Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office
  Attn: Change of Address
  400 Gigling Road
  Seaside, CA  93955-6771

• Online
  You have two options for updating personal information online:
  
  1. Visit the DEERS Web site and follow the steps to update your home address, e-mail and phone numbers online.
  
  2. Via the Beneficiary Web Enrollment Web site. The site is linked directly to the DEERS database, so when you make changes, it updates your information in DEERS and with your regional contractor.

Have you visited the TRICARE Beneficiary Web site lately?  If not, you’re missing out on a dynamic tool designed to give you tailored information about your TRICARE benefit.

• Select your beneficiary category.
• Select your country. 

• If you selected the United States, you’ll need to enteryour ZIP code.

• Select your health plan option.

• Overview
  A high-level summary of TRICARE’s organization, plans, eligibility requirements, enrollment options and special programs.
   
• Medical
  Details about what’s covered, finding a provider, getting care, costs, filing claims and more.
   
• Dental
  Information about your dental options.
   
• Vision
  Information about your vision coverage including eye exams and corrective lenses.
   
• Prescriptions
  Details about filling prescriptions, covered medications, prescription costs, pharmacy claims and more.
   
• Mental Health and Behavior
  Information about your mental/behavioral health coverage and how to get care based on your health plan option.  You’ll also learn about the types of mental health providers, types of covered treatments and symptoms for certain conditions. 
   
• Life Events
  Find out what you need to do and how TRICARE may change when you experience different life events.  View topics such as activating, becoming Medicare-eligible, having a baby, divorcing, retiring, moving and much more. Relevant topics appear based on your profile.

It’s my pleasure to discuss how TRICARE is helping our eligible National Guard and Reserve members save money.  With a change in law, TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) monthly premiums dropped on Jan. 1, 2009.  The premiums were reduced as follows:
 

• Comprehensive health care coverage, including TRICARE’s prescription drug coverage.
• The freedom to manage your own health care; no assigned primary care manager.
• No required referrals, but some care may require prior authorization.
• Fewer out-of-pocket costs when choosing a provider in the TRICARE network.

• Visit the TRICARE Beneficiary Web site (TRS page)
• Download the TRS Handbook
• Download the TRS Flyer
• View the Press Release about the TRS rate decrease