Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 3/11/2010

Question
QUESTION: My husband just signed his contract with the ARMY and will be leaving for training in about a month for 4.5 months. I am 4.5 months pregnant, due in August.
1. Will the baby and I (including remaining pre-natal) be covered by the military insurance once he goes to training? Even though I was pregnant before he signed his contract?
2. If I don't live near a base now, will my Dr. visits be covered or should I keep my current insurance until I move?
3. If I move near his training base, so that he can be there when the baby is born, will the military insurance allow me to have the baby at the base hospital? Or do I have to go to a regular Dr. until we get sent to our first assignment?
Thank you,
B

ANSWER: Dear Brooke --

There are no clear cut answers to all your questions.  However, I will answer the ones I know, and tell you the likely alternative on the other.

1.  You and the baby will be covered by military medical insurance once you are registered in DEERS.  To do this, your husband must fill out a DD Form 1172 as soon as he enters the service.  He must not let the personnel clerk talk him out of completing this form.  It is critical to you receiving an ID card and qualifying for spouse benefits.

2.  a.  Your care will be partially covered by the military health care insurance for your region.  You will have small co-payments for some treatments and appointments.  Other care is fully covered.  I recommend you keep your current insurance until you have proof of military medical insurance coverage (your insurance card).  If you maintain your current coverage, military medical insurance will be the last insurance to pay for your care.  This is usually not cost effective for an active duty family.  

   b.  Even if you live near a military base, you may be required to receive your medical treatment off-base.  There is insufficient medical care available on base for all dependents, so military have priority, the rest must seek medical care from a practitioner that accepts the military's medical insurer (Tricare with many different sub-contractors).

3.  a.  Do not move to be near your husband's training base.  HE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE TRAINING EVEN WHEN YOU ARE HAVING THE BABY!

   b.  I recommend you stay where you have family and friends to help you through your pregnancy and after the birth.  Please do not think you will be able to see your husband during training just because you are in the town nearby.  During basic training Soldiers are not allowed to leave base.  However, he may be able to get leave between basic training and advance individual training, if so, he should be able to visit you and the baby very soon after the birth (if the birth is in August as you expect).

   c.  Please see the answer to 2.b.  Medical coverage in military hospitals is space dependent.  You are generally better off getting an OB/GYN of your own who accepts military medical insurance and who will follow your entire pregnancy and birth.

Once your husband receives his orders for his first duty assignment, you can all move together at the Army's expense.  Again, you will likely have to find an off-base doctor, but that will depend on availability at the military medical treatment facility.

Please write back, if you have additional questions or need clarification.  Good luck to you and your family.




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Following up to the answer to #3. I know that he can not leave base during basic training, much less call to say hello. His recruiter said that his advanced training is more like going to school or a 9-5 job and that he can get over-night and weekend passes if he is passing all of his tests, ect.
Since you are in the ARMY, I am sure that you are correct, but I just wanted to double check. :)
From what you wrote, he can not leave at all until his 5 months of training are up? Not even during AIT?
I really appreciate your time and your help!
B

Answer
Dear Brooke --

The recruiter is correct: If your husband is doing well in all his course work, military training, discipline, moral behavior and leadership, he might be allowed a few weekend passes during AIT.  Depending on the AIT school and the location of the school, he will often have evenings that he can plan for himself (meaning he is expected to study some of that time).  However, not all schools or installations allow AIT students off base in the evenings.  

Since, as a trainee, he isn't authorized family housing, you cannot live on base.  If he is at a school that does not allow evening furlough, he won't be allowed to visit you off-post.  Even if he is on a base that allows evening furlough, if he misses a morning formation, or other required formation, he will be absent without leave (AWOL).  This will be true, even if he has the great excuse of "my wife was having our baby."  

This perfectly reasonable, but un-allowed, behavior is one of the reasons why I caution against you joining him at his training site.  Co-location establishes some expectations he will be able to be there for you, when in fact, he may not be allowed to spend that time with you.  Further, if he can be with you in the evenings, but not during the days, who will help you post-birth?  He will not be allowed time off from class, and you will not have friends or family nearby to help when he cannot be there.  This situation can put a huge strain on an otherwise stable and solid marriage.

I still recommend that you stay where you have family and friends, as well as your normal doctor and OB/GYN.  Let your husband travel to you when he can get long weekend passes to be away from his school.

Again, please write back, if you have any additional questions or want further clarification.  Good luck to you all.