Support for the Wounded Warrior from various organizations--navigating the system and finding what benefits are available to you and your family--a short overview.
"The Doctor Is In -- TRICARE's Wounded Warrior Support" was published in the DoDLive blog April 2nd, 2012, written by Brigadier General W. Bryan Gamble, MD, the Deputy Director of TriCare Management Activity. General Gamble gives advice on how to navigate the services available to Wounded Warriors. Wounded Warriors often receive treatment first at a Military Treatment Facility (MTF), and if he or she must separate from the military, he/she must go through the transition to civilian life and civilian and veteran health care resources. This transition can be very tricky to navigate. Here is a synopsis of General Gamble's advice (for full article, go here):
- TriCare Programs
- Special "Injured on Active Duty" section for all branches of servicemembers (included Reserve and National Guard who are injured while on active duty service)
- YouTube video of a resilient Wounded Warrior and wife who had a good experience with TriCare
- Respite Care
- ECHO--TriCare's extended health care option
- Compensation Benefit Handbook for Injured Servicemembers (190 pages)
- CAP Wounded Servicemembers Initiative--computer/electronic accommodations program
- Assistive technology for
- hearing loss
- vision loss
- cognitive difficulties related to TBI
- dexterity devices for amputees
- The National Resource Directory for Wounded Warriors
- a list of programs and benefits available to servicemembers injured in the line of duty
- includes health programs, employment resources, caregiver support, homeless assistance and information on compensation.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health facilities
- Visit the VA health eligibility website and fill out the electronic application to apply for VA benefits or
- call the VA Health Benefits Service Center
- 1-877-222-8387
- Military Treatment Facilities (MTF)
- TriCare benefits counselors and Wounded Warrior liaisons
- Seek these people out to help answer your questions and arrange your transition of care to your VA health facility
- Explain VA benefits and services, and help you plan your discharge from the MTF
- If you are separating from active duty, ask about TAMP
- Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP) --service for which you and your family may be eligible if separating from active duty
- TAMP gives you and your family 180 days of health care assistance after your separate from active duty
- To see if you are eligible, go to the TriCare TAMP website. TriCare is often updating its site, so you may need to go to the main TriCare site and search for "TAMP".
- Non-profit organizations that help Wounded Warriors
- Fisher House Foundation--provide free or low-cost housing to families of injured warriors. Gives families a place to stay near the MTF while their warrior is receiving care.
- The VA Vet Center Program--offers local, community-based readjustment counseling for veterans and their families
- Social Security Administration--has info about disability benefits for Wounded Warriors
Related phone numbers from the National Resource Directory for Wounded Warriors:
Related Blog posts:
Operation Warfighter--transition assistance and employment assistance
Acupuncturists without Borders Military Stress Recovery Project (MSRP) Clinics
Adaptive Clothing available to Servicemembers--great way to stay comfortable and covered in rehab compared to the average hospital gown
For Guardsmen only--Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program
For a Military Stress Recovery Project Clinic near
You: This is the link
to the list (by state) of Military Stress Recovery Project clinics. These
are civilian clinics available through a larger non-profit group, Acupuncturists without
Borders. They recently opened a Women Veterans only clinic in Albuquerque,
New Mexico, due to patient demand. The Military Stress Recovery Project clinics
are open to all veterans, active duty servicemembers, reservists, Guard, their
families, and their care providers.
And, De-Stress Vets, www.destressvets.com.
Hope this information helps you continue on your road to recovery.
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