FALLS CHURCH, Va. –
It’s time for students to return to the classroom. As a parent, you may be busy buying school supplies, backpacks, and clothes for the fall. You can also prepare for the school year by scheduling preventive health exams and immunization appointments for your child. TRICARE covers many
preventive health care services with no out-of-pocket costs to you.
If you’ve put off routine appointments for your children due to the pandemic, it’s important to schedule them now. Regular check-ups allow your provider to monitor your child’s growth, hearing, eyesight, reflexes, respiration, and more. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), your child’s provider will also monitor
developmental milestones to ensure your child is on track.
“With routine visits, you can stay informed about your child’s overall health,” said Dr. James Black, medical director of the Clinical Support Division at the Defense Health Agency. “If a provider sees developmental delays in areas like play, movement, speech, and behavior, children can get the services they need.”
Check out the tips below and help your child be ready for school this fall.
- Get your child a check-up from head-to-toe.
- TRICARE covers well-child exams from birth until age 6 and school physicals when required for school enrollment. This doesn’t include sports physicals.
- Healthy vision is key to learning in school. You can get routine eye exams, depending on your beneficiary status, your TRICARE health plan, and your age. You may need a referral and authorization for vision care. If your child has vision coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), follow the rules of that plan.
- Keep your child’s mouth healthy. TRICARE offers dental coverage to active duty family members through the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP). According to the TRICARE Dental Program Handbook, TDP covers two routine cleanings and two fluoride treatments during a consecutive 12-month period for children ages 1 and older. If your child has dental coverage through FEDVIP, be sure to follow the rules of that dental plan.
- Get protected with immunizations. If your child is eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, it’s highly encouraged that they get it. It’s also a smart time for them to catch up on routine immunizations. Get them before the start of the school year. You can get covered vaccines from any TRICARE-authorized provider at no cost. But you may have to pay copayments or cost-shares for the office visit or for other services received during the same visit. Keep in mind, you can also get some covered vaccines at TRICARE retail network pharmacies.
Make sure that your child stays current on vaccinations. You can check the
CDC vaccination schedule, and talk to your child’s provider if they need to catch up on missed vaccinations. You can review any
out-of-pocket costs before getting care.
Help your child get off to a great start this school year by staying on top of
preventive health care with TRICARE.