New Technologies Bring Improved Access to Mental Health Care

August 28, 2009

Service members and their families seeking behavioral health care assistance to deal with the stresses of military life can turn to two new TRICARE programs that offer increased access to psychological counseling. Time and distance will no longer prevent people from getting the help they need.

The Web-based TRICARE Assistance Program (TRIAP) and telemental health program, both launched on August 1, use evolving telecommunications technologies to bring counseling assistance and behavioral health care within easy reach of beneficiaries.

TRIAP allows eligible beneficiaries to use a computer, Webcam and associated software to speak directly to a licensed counselor over the Internet at any time of the day or night. They can log onto the system an unlimited number of times to receive counseling services – including assessments, short-term sessions or referral to more specialized or comprehensive care if necessary.

TRIAP is available to active duty service members, spouses, and other eligible family members 18 years of age or older who reside in the U.S. Enrollees in the Transitional Assistance Management Program and TRICARE Reserve Select may also take advantage of the service.

TRICARE’s telemental health services use medically-supervised, secure audiovisual conferencing to link beneficiaries with offsite providers. These services are available to all TRICARE beneficiaries in the United States. TRICARE’s regional contractors are establishing networks of telemental health originating sites and networks of offsite providers who can evaluate, treat and refer patients as necessary via video. Comprehensive behavioral health services are available, including psychotherapy and medication management.

“While most service members will still get face-to-face care in military treatment facilities or through the TRICARE network, the addition of the telemental health care and TRIAP will really help us enhance access to a variety of behavioral health care services,” said Rear Adm. Christine Hunter, deputy director of the TRICARE Management Activity.

For information about TRICARE’s telemental health options, go to the Getting Care link at http:// tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/ MentalHealthAndBehavior.

For more information on the TRIAP program go to http://www.tricare.mil/ TRIAP.