Newsbytes April 4, 2025 

In this Issue:
TRICARE’s Virtual Health Care 
Next Generation USID Card 
HVAC Hearing: Harnessing Biomedical Innovation 
DoD Eyes Major Cuts to MTFs

TRICARE’s Virtual Health Care 
TRICARE is transforming how military families access medical care, prioritizing convenience and flexibility with its expanded virtual health options. This evolution allows service members, retirees, and their families to connect with providers securely from home, eliminating the need for in-person clinic visits. Announced as part of TRICARE’s ongoing commitment to well-being, these services ensure care is available anytime, anywhere. 

Virtual care offers more than convenience—it’s a critical resource for managing chronic conditions, supporting those in remote locations, or balancing busy family schedules. TRICARE now covers a wide range of services via phone or video, including general consultations, urgent care, mental health counseling, and follow-up visits. This expansion meets the diverse needs of the military community with accessible, high-quality care. 

Eligibility spans multiple TRICARE plans, making virtual health widely available. Retirees and TRICARE For Life beneficiaries can access Medicare-covered virtual services, while active duty members and families under TRICARE Prime, Select, or the Overseas Program are also included. Even those using Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) may qualify, depending on local availability. Key covered services include: 

• General and urgent medical consultations 
• Mental health therapy and counseling 
• Medication and prescription reviews 
• Nutrition consultations 
• Post-hospitalization follow-up care 

A standout feature is the removal of referral requirements for most virtual mental health services, a vital update for a community facing unique emotional challenges. TRICARE ensures privacy through HIPAA-compliant platforms, safeguarding every session. This change empowers beneficiaries to seek help discreetly and efficiently, enhancing support for mental well-being. 

For caregivers, disabled veterans, and those distant from care centers, virtual health care is a game-changer, offering autonomy and trusted support from home. Beneficiaries should contact their TRICARE provider to confirm availability and coverage under their plan. 

Next Generation USID Card 
Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the Federal Government "set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses."  The latest information indicates the Department of Homeland Security will start Real ID Act enforcement on 7 May 2025.  This will affect what forms of ID/documentation people can use to access certain federal facilities, board domestic commercial flights or individuals visiting military installations.
 
Even after the Real ID Act is in effect, there is no change for military base access for individuals (military retirees/dependents/surviving spouses) who already possess military, or DoD issued credentials; non-DoD personnel without base access credentials will be the largest demographic affected by REAL ID requirements.  If you don’t have the NextGen ID card, but an “old style” ID card (DD Form 2, DD Form 1173, DD Form 1173-1 or DD Form 2765(blue, pink or tan ID)) you will still be able to access a base for now! 
 
It's important for military retirees/dependents/surviving spouses to know, at some time in the future, these old forms of ID will not be valid to access a military installation, and you will need issuance of the NextGen ID card. This will be true even if your old ID card has an INDEF expiration date on it - the ID will still be invalid. DoD has not specified a date when this will happen, and we have no idea how much advance warning you will get before you must have the NextGen ID card. Social media and word of mouth, however, you receive information, we are hearing the deadline may be on 1 Jan 2026.  We understand DoD will formally announce.
 
Based on this, we strongly encourage everyone with an old-style ID card to get a NextGen ID card now!

There are several ways to make an appointment to get a new ID card. (1). You can visit the RAPIDS ID Card Office Locator website to find the closest office and either call them to make an appointment or (2). schedule your own appointment using the website. https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/  To make an appointment using this site select the “ID Card Office Locator & Appointments” block.  (3). You may be able to renew your ID card online and have it mailed to you, no waiting in line!  You select the “Family ID Cards” block on the website at the link above.  Below are the requirements to renew a card online:
 
• Sponsor must be a CAC holder or have a DoD Self-Service Logon username/password
• Must be requesting a renewal of an active USID card
• Sponsor and Cardholder must have email addresses listed in DEERS that they have authorized DoD to use for contacting them
• Sponsor’s personnel status must extend at least 30 days into the future
• Cardholder has a photo saved in DEERS taken in the last 12 years
• Cardholder’s mailing address is present in DEERS and is in United States or Overseas.
• USID cards cannot be shipped to PO Boxes
 
 If you have an old-style ID card, you can get the new NextGen ID at any time - do it now!

HVAC Hearing: Harnessing Biomedical Innovation 
In a recent congressional hearing held by the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, industry leaders from Boston Scientific, Podometrics, Philips North America, and the University of Arizona testified about transformative medical technologies aimed at improving veteran healthcare. The hearing, chaired by Representative Mike Bost, sought to address how innovations could enhance care in areas like diabetes, heart disease, pain management, and sleep disorders, despite the absence of VA representatives to provide an official perspective. Against this backdrop, the discussion was overshadowed by contentious debates over proposed staffing cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), with Ranking Member Mark Takano and others voicing alarm over their potential impact on implementing these advancements. 

A standout innovation highlighted was Podometrics’ Smartmat, designed to combat diabetic foot ulcers—a pressing concern given that one in four veterans has diabetes, according to VA data cited by Chairman Bost. Dr. Jonathan Bloom, CEO of Podometrics, explained that the Smartmat enables veterans to monitor foot temperature daily in just 20 seconds from home, detecting early signs of ulcers by identifying temperature changes. The data is securely transmitted for clinical analysis, allowing timely interventions. VA research, as Bloom testified, shows this technology can detect 97% of ulcers five weeks earlier than traditional methods, reducing hospitalizations and amputations, with estimated savings of $16,000 per veteran annually. This innovation promises significant cost savings and quality-of-life improvements, yet its scalability hinges on VA resources amidst proposed cuts. 

Other testimonies showcased a range of technologies with potential VA applications. Will Gray of Boston Scientific detailed spinal cord stimulators for chronic pain—affecting over 65% of veterans—alongside the Watchman device and Ferrapulse for atrial fibrillation, addressing heart disease, the leading cause of VA hospitalizations. Jeff Dulo of Philips North America presented Telecritical Care (TCC) programs, connecting VA ICUs digitally for real-time support, and AI-enabled diagnostic imaging to enhance efficiency. Dr. Sairam Parthasarathy from the University of Arizona discussed machine-based algorithms integrated into electronic records to diagnose sleep apnea—a condition exacerbating PTSD and cardiovascular issues—improving adherence to treatments like CPAP machines. These innovations aim to modernize care but require robust VA infrastructure to succeed. 

The hearing unfolded against a tense backdrop of proposed VA staffing reductions, with Secretary Collins reportedly planning to cut up to 80,000 employees, as Takano cited from a Fox and Friends interview. Critics, including Takano and Representatives Delia Ramirez and Nikki Budzinski, argued that slashing personnel—potentially 15% of the workforce—could undermine the VA’s ability to operate and maintain new technologies. Examples like canceled contracts for supply chain support fueled concerns. Witnesses like Gray acknowledged procurement delays due to staffing shortages, suggesting that without adequate personnel, even cutting-edge tools might sit idle, echoing Takano’s warning of “expensive equipment sitting idle” from prior VA experiences. 

Amid these debates, the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) stands firm in advocating for veterans and their families to receive the best healthcare possible. As Congress navigates these proposed cuts, the FRA’s voice reinforces the need for a balanced approach, ensuring veterans benefit from innovation without sacrificing the personnel essential to deliver it, a sentiment echoed by the committee’s bipartisan call for VA accountability. 

DoD Eyes Major Cuts to MTFs
Defense officials are weighing significant changes to the military healthcare system as part of a sweeping review aimed at curbing costs and reshaping the Department of Defense (DoD) for future readiness. At the center of this effort is the potential closure or downgrade of several military treatment facilities (MTFs), a move intended to save billions over the next five years. These proposed cuts come amid larger organizational reforms and a massive $850 billion defense budget request that prioritizes advanced technologies over infrastructure and personnel costs. While aimed at efficiency, the plan raises alarm about the impact on service members' access to essential medical care. 

The Military Health System, which currently serves nearly 10 million beneficiaries, has long faced pressure to trim expenses. Past reforms like the 2018 consolidation of services under the Defense Health Agency (DHA) were designed to improve efficiency but have also led to concerns about reduced access, particularly in remote areas. Now, the DoD is assessing whether certain MTFs are sustainable, especially those with low patient volume that do not generate enough demand to adequately train medical staff. While such facilities may not serve large populations, they are often the only sites in rural or isolated communities with the equipment necessary for critical care. This dual challenge—limited patient loads but strategic importance—complicates decisions about which MTFs to cut or scale back. 

For many military families, MTFs are the backbone of their healthcare—providing everything from preventive screenings to treatment for complex conditions. Downgrading or shuttering these facilities could force patients to travel long distances, especially in underserved regions. Smaller clinics, lacking in both staff and specialized equipment, may struggle to meet the high standards expected in military healthcare, particularly for injuries and illnesses specific to military service. In such scenarios, the very readiness that the DoD aims to protect could be compromised. 

To ensure that these changes do not negatively affect enlisted personnel, the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) along with other MSO/VSOs are in communication with DHA to provide input in the process. Ultimately, the review of military treatment facilities reflects a broader tension within the DoD: the need to modernize and reduce expenditures without sacrificing the welfare of the force. As Congress prepares to evaluate the department’s final recommendations, the stakes remain high. The challenge will be ensuring that strategic cost-cutting does not lead to a hollowing out of the healthcare infrastructure that service members rely on. With organizations like the FRA watching closely, the process must balance fiscal prudence with a deep commitment to the health and readiness of the armed forces—especially in communities where a single MTF represents both the frontline of care and a vital training ground for military medical staff.