Saratoga, NY – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik sent a letter to the Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs requesting expanded telehealth services through TRICARE for veterans and servicemembers experiencing mental health issues, like anxiety and depression, during the COVID-19 crisis. Currently, TRICARE only permits military members and their families who are battling serious mental health illnesses access to intensive outpatient programs and partial hospitalization programs. The letter specifically asks that veterans and servicemembers who are experiencing less severe mental health issues have access to telehealth appointments and services covered by TRICARE.
“Our military servicemembers and veterans can be especially vulnerable to mental health struggles due to the nature of their courageous service to our country,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “The COVID-19 crisis has caused an increase in stress and poor mental health for many people across the country, and members of our military are certainly not excluded from this uptick. This letter urges the Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs to expand availability of telehealth services for veterans and servicemembers experiencing mental health struggles in light of COVID-19. I will always advocate for increased health care access for our military and veterans – who sacrifice daily for our nation.”
Find a copy of the letter here.
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