Military Wife Confessions

So I didn't know where to put this question. But since I have limited communication with my husband I really didn't know who to ask? So my husband just left 3 weeks ago (for the Air Force), and I was wondering what I had to do in order to get my son and I signed up for medical? There is a lady in my class who has TRICARE but it says on there that you need a dependent card, which I also don't have. If anyone knows anything I would TRUELY appreciate the info. Thank you!

While he is at training he will enroll you & your son into DEERS! Once you are entered into the DEERS system you will be eligible for medical benefits. 

Your Military ID is your dependent card & proof of insurance as well. 

You can get your ID at any military installation, regardless of branch of service. But your husband will either need to be with you, or you will need a Power of Attorney (POA). He can get either a general POA or a specific one allowing you to get your ID without him! He will have to go to legal wherever he is training/stationed currently, and then send you the POA!

FIND THE CLOSEST ID CENTER

When you find the nearest ID place get there AS SOON AS THEY OPEN.  I can't stress this enough.  I had to go a couple times to get mine and I got there 30 minutes after they opened the door and had to wait nearly 4 hours because of the line and from what I've heard- nearly every place is like this

Danielle at 12:35AM on Aug 03, 2009

When you find the nearest ID place get there AS SOON AS THEY OPEN.  I can't stress this enough.  I had to go a couple times to get mine and I got there 30 minutes after they opened the door and had to wait nearly 4 hours because of the line and from what I've heard- nearly every place is like this

I agree--unless its a smaller town/city you need to get there before they open! If it is anywhere near a large base/post, etc it will be busy!!!

I go right before they close and I never have had to wait

Jessica at 11:52PM on Aug 02, 2009

While he is at training he will enroll you & your son into DEERS! Once you are entered into the DEERS system you will be eligible for medical benefits. 

Your Military ID is your dependent card & proof of insurance as well. 

You can get your ID at any military installation, regardless of branch of service. But your husband will either need to be with you, or you will need a Power of Attorney (POA). He can get either a general POA or a specific one allowing you to get your ID without him! He will have to go to legal wherever he is training/stationed currently, and then send you the POA!

FIND THE CLOSEST ID CENTER

Thank you! How do I find out if we have been entered into DEERS? I can't thank you enough. Its just crazy trying to find information!

If he has been there 3 weeks you SHOULD be entered by now...but again that is SHOULD!  With the military, you never know...The easiest way to find out is to speak to your husband-whenever that is possible.

You might try calling the closest ID Center to you and explaining your situation. They could probably give you even more information.

Whitney at 02:00AM on Aug 03, 2009

Jessica at 11:52PM on Aug 02, 2009

While he is at training he will enroll you & your son into DEERS! Once you are entered into the DEERS system you will be eligible for medical benefits. 

Your Military ID is your dependent card & proof of insurance as well. 

You can get your ID at any military installation, regardless of branch of service. But your husband will either need to be with you, or you will need a Power of Attorney (POA). He can get either a general POA or a specific one allowing you to get your ID without him! He will have to go to legal wherever he is training/stationed currently, and then send you the POA!

FIND THE CLOSEST ID CENTER

Thank you! How do I find out if we have been entered into DEERS? I can't thank you enough. Its just crazy trying to find information!

Once you are enrolled into DEERS, you should recieve a packet of info from either your husband, or a DEERS person (I did). It will have all the paperwork you need to take to an ID center! It took probably about 4 weeks into my husbands Basic training (Army) for me to get anything!

Side note: I do NOT have POA, or anything else and was allowed to go in and get my ID without my husband because I had the child. If you were married for some time before he enlisted, your POA was probably already written in his paperwork. (I think...I'm not sure how the AF does it but I'm guessing it's similar!)

*Leola* at 02:13AM on Aug 03, 2009

Whitney at 02:00AM on Aug 03, 2009

Jessica at 11:52PM on Aug 02, 2009

While he is at training he will enroll you & your son into DEERS! Once you are entered into the DEERS system you will be eligible for medical benefits. 

Your Military ID is your dependent card & proof of insurance as well. 

You can get your ID at any military installation, regardless of branch of service. But your husband will either need to be with you, or you will need a Power of Attorney (POA). He can get either a general POA or a specific one allowing you to get your ID without him! He will have to go to legal wherever he is training/stationed currently, and then send you the POA!

FIND THE CLOSEST ID CENTER

Thank you! How do I find out if we have been entered into DEERS? I can't thank you enough. Its just crazy trying to find information!

Once you are enrolled into DEERS, you should recieve a packet of info from either your husband, or a DEERS person (I did). It will have all the paperwork you need to take to an ID center! It took probably about 4 weeks into my husbands Basic training (Army) for me to get anything!

 

Side note: I do NOT have POA, or anything else and was allowed to go in and get my ID without my husband because I had the child. If you were married for some time before he enlisted, your POA was probably already written in his paperwork. (I think...I'm not sure how the AF does it but I'm guessing it's similar!)

If I would've went on my own they said I would've had to have a POA...

*sigh* The military can be so frustrating...

lol. I did get mine at a Naval station....in the middle of the desert. Fallon. Google it. Ugh.

Thanks ladies! So I guess I will just hold tight for another week and see if the packet comes soon, I heard there was a packet I just thought it would come sooner. But I will write him and see if he knows anymore!

What packet are we talking about? Is it the one you take to the tricare admissions place where they enroll you and tell you who your doc is going to be?