Tricare Help: Will Tricare pay for spouse’s disability leave? - Getting out, military health issues - Navy Times

Tricare Help: Will Tricare pay for spouse’s disability leave?

Q. My husband is on active duty. I started working as a nurse, and only a month into the new job I fell and broke my ankle. They agreed to hold my job for me, but since I have been at the job for only a month and I fell at home, there is no compensation for me to take off work to recover, which will take at least six weeks. Is there any short-term disability that I can get through Tricare?

A. There is no provision in the law or regulation that allows Tricare to provide supplemental income of any kind for any reason, including disability, whether permanent or temporary. Like a health insurance policy, Tricare helps to pay medical bills only.

You may want to call the Social Security Administration to learn whether you qualify for benefits through any of its programs, however. That number is 800-772-1213.

Q. I recently tried to get a military ID card for my minor nephew. I’m his court-appointed guardian. The base turned me down, stating that the guardianship papers (signed by a judge) needed to have an end date to the guardianship. I’ll have custody until the minor is 18, but I will be supporting him through college. Is there a law that gives specific wording or other legal document so that my lawyer can refile paperwork?

A. Your issue involves personnel regulations, not Tricare law. What you need to do, according to Tricare headquarters, is have papers drawn up to appoint you not just as your nephew’s guardian, but as your ward.

You should also get in touch with the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System at 800-538-9552.

Q. My son is taking a medical retirement from the Marines. I am his father and will be unemployed and uninsured soon due to my company closing. Is it possible for me, his mother and brother to buy coverage through him with Tricare?

A. Tricare is a federal health benefits program created by law with the sole purpose of paying part of the costs of civilian medical care for the spouse and eligible children of active-duty service personnel, retired personnel and their eligible family members, surviving family members of deceased active-duty and retired personnel, and a few others.

The parents, siblings or other family members apart from the service member’s spouse and children are not eligible for Tricare. They cannot purchase eligibility or coverage by the program.

Write to Tricare Help, Times News Service, 6883 Commercial Drive, Springfield, VA 22159; or click here to email us. In email, include the word “Tricare” in the subject line and do not attach files. Get Tricare advice anytime on our blog.