R 191908Z OCT 09 

ALCOAST 602/09
COMDTNOTE 1570
SUBJ: TELE-MENTAL HEALTH CARE
1. THE WELLNESS AND READINESS OF COAST GUARD ACTIVE DUTY AND
RESERVE MEMBERS IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO COMMANDERS TO FACILITATE
MISSION EXECUTION. MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT MAY BE AUTHORIZED FOR
MEMBERS WHEN MEDICALLY NECESSARY TO RELIEVE SUFFERING AND/OR
MAINTAIN FITNESS FOR UNRESTRICTED DUTY.
2. AS PART OF A NEW TRICARE TELE-MEDICINE BENEFIT, THE RESPONSIBLE
TRICARE REGIONAL CONTRACTOR WILL USE MEDICALLY SUPERVISED SECURE
AUDIO-VISUAL CONFERENCING TO LINK TRICARE BENEFICIARIES WITH
OFFSITE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE TELE-MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES. THE
TRICARE REGIONAL CONTRACTORS ARE ESTABLISHING A NETWORK OF TELE-
MENTAL HEALTH CARE ORIGINATING SITES FOR BENEFICIARIES, AND
NETWORKS OF OFFSITE PROVIDERS WHO CAN EVALUATE, TREAT AND REFER
BENEFICIARIES AS NECESSARY VIA VIDEO. IF LOCATED NEAR AN
ORIGINATING SITE, BENEFICIARIES MAY USE TRICARE'S TELE-MENTAL
HEALTH CARE BENEFIT FOR ALL ASPECTS OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES
INCLUDING PSYCHOTHERAPY AND MEDICATION MANAGEMENT. AS THESE SITES
ARE DEVELOPED, THE TRICARE REGIONAL CONTRACTORS WILL MAKE LOCATION
AND CONTACT INFORMATION AVAILABLE.
3. AS WITH ANY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE RECEIVED FROM A TRICARE
NETWORK PROVIDER, ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS WILL NEED A REFERRAL
BEFORE ACCESSING CARE UNDER THE TELE-MENTAL HEALTH CARE BENEFIT.
TRICARE PRIME ACTIVE DUTY FAMILY MEMBERS AND RETIREES DO NOT NEED A
REFERRAL OR AUTHORIZATION TO SET AN ONLINE CARE APPOINTMENT WITH A
DISTANT PROVIDER, AS LONG AS THE TELE-MENTAL HEALTH CARE
APPOINTMENT IS ONE OF THE FIRST EIGHT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SESSIONS IN
A FISCAL YEAR (1 OCT TO 30 SEP).
4. ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS AND ACTIVE DUTY FAMILY MEMBERS
ENROLLED IN TRICARE PRIME WILL HAVE NO ASSOCIATED CHARGES. THERE
WILL BE APPLICABLE DEDUCTIBLES, COST SHARES AND CO-PAYS FOR
BENEFICIARIES USING TRICARE STANDARD AND EXTRA, TRICARE PRIME
RETIREES AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, AND TRICARE RESERVE SELECT
ENROLLEES.
5. TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GO TO THE TRICARE WEB SITE,
HTTP://WWW.TRICARE.MIL/MYBENEFIT
(ADDRESS MUST BE LOWER CASE) THEN CLICK THE 'MENTAL HEALTH AND
BEHAVIOR' TAB, THEN CLICK THE 'GETTING CARE' LINK, THEN CLICK ON
THE 'TELEMENTAL HEALTH' LINK.
6. TO REQUEST TELE-MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE NORTH REGION, CALL
THE HEALTH NET BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER LOCATOR AND
APPOINTMENT ASSISTANCE LINE AT 1-877-747-9579. IN THE SOUTH REGION,
CALL THE HUMANA MILITARY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDER LOCATOR AND
APPOINTMENT ASSISTANCE LINE AT 1-877-298-3514. IN THE WEST REGION,
CONTACT THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONTACT CENTER (BHCC). BHCC STAFF ARE
AVAILABLE 24/7/365 AND CAN BE REACHED AT 1-888-TRIWEST (874-9378).
7. QUESTIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WORK-LIFE
SUPPORT ACTIVITY TRICARE ASSISTANCE LINE AT 800-9-HBA-HBA OR CAPT
THERESA WADE AT THERESA.WADE(AT)USCG.MIL.
8. RADM MARK TEDESCO, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND WORK-LIFE,
SENDS.
9. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.