R 220946Z OCT 09

ALCOAST 605/09
COMDTNOTE 1570
SUBJ: TRICARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 191908Z OCT 09/ALCOAST 602/09
B. COAST GUARD EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, COMDTINST
1740.7(SERIES)
1. THE COAST GUARD CONTINUES TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH AND
COUNSELING SERVICES FOR OUR BENEFICIARIES. IN ADDITION TO THE TELE-
MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE OUTLINED IN REF A, TRICARE MANAGEMENT
ACTIVITY HAS ESTABLISHED THE TRICARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TRIAP) TO
PROVIDE SHORT-TERM PROBLEM SOLVING COUNSELING WITH LICENSED
PROVIDERS FOR ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARIES USING VIDEO TECHNOLOGY AND
SKYPE SOFTWARE APPLICATION. SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS PER
DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK.
2. ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS, THEIR SPOUSES, AND OTHER FAMILY
MEMBERS 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER WHO RESIDE IN CONUS ARE ELIGIBLE
TO PARTICIPATE. ENROLLEES IN TRICARE RESERVE SELECT AND THE
TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MAY ALSO USE THE
PROGRAM.
3. TRIAP SERVICES ARE SIMILAR TO SESSIONS PROVIDED FACE TO FACE PER
REF B THROUGH THE COAST GUARD EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP).
PARTICIPANTS CAN RECEIVE HELP DEALING WITH PERSONAL PROBLEMS THAT
MIGHT ADVERSELY IMPACT THEIR WORK PERFORMANCE, HEALTH, AND WELL-
BEING. IT INCLUDES ASSESSMENT, SHORT-TERM COUNSELING, AND REFERRALS
TO MORE COMPREHENSIVE LEVELS OF CARE IF NEEDED.
4. TRIAP WILL PROVIDE COUNSELING IN A VIRTUAL FACE-TO-FACE
ENVIRONMENT USING VIDEO CAMERAS AND SKYPE SOFTWARE APPLICATION.
BENEFICIARIES MAY ACCESS TRIAP FROM ANY LOCATION PROVIDED THEY HAVE
THE NECESSARY HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE. ALTHOUGH THIS SERVICE IS
PROVIDED BY LICENSED PROVIDERS, THERE IS NO DIAGNOSIS MADE. THERE
ARE NO LIMITS TO USAGE, AND NO NOTIFICATION ABOUT THOSE SEEKING
COUNSELING WILL BE MADE TO THEIR PRIMARY CARE MANAGERS OR OTHERS,
UNLESS REQUIRED BY THE COUNSELORS LICENSURE OR STATE LAWS (E.G.,
IF PARTICIPANT REPORTS CHILD OR SPOUSE ABUSE OR SUICIDAL INTENT).
PARTICIPANT CONFIDENTIALITY IS PROTECTED. NO MEDICAL RECORD ENTRY
IS MADE.
5. TRICARE BEGAN PROVIDING TRIAP COUNSELING ON 01 AUG 2009 THROUGH
ITS MANAGED CARE SUPPORT CONTRACTORS. THERE WILL BE NO COST TO
BENEFICIARIES FOR USING TRIAP SERVICES. THE SERVICE WILL REMAIN
AVAILABLE AT LEAST UNTIL THE END OF ITS DEMONSTRATION PERIOD, 01
APR 2010.
6. THE COAST GUARD EAP REMAINS AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE SHORT-TERM
PROBLEM SOLVING SESSIONS TO ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARIES WHICH INCLUDE
ALL ACTIVE DUTY MEMBERS, FULL TIME CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES, AND THEIR
RESPECTIVE FAMILY MEMBERS. TO ARRANGE SESSIONS CONTACT THE EAP AT
800-222-0364.
7. TRICARE QUESTIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND
WORK-LIFE SUPPORT ACTIVITY TRICARE ASSISTANCE LINE AT 800-9-HBA-
HBA. ISSUES RELATED TO THE CG EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) CAN
BE ADDRESSED TO MR. JOHN REIBLING, COMDT(CG-1112),
JOHN.S.REIBLING(AT)USCG.MIL, 202-475-5161. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE OFFICE OF WORK-LIFE PROGRAMS WEBSITE:
HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/WORKLIFE.
8. RADM MARK TEDESCO, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WORK-LIFE,
SENDS.
9. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.