Active duty, and Reserve Component Soldiers who are ordered to active duty for more than 30 days, are generally entitled to free service—provided health care and are automatically enrolled in a program called Tricare Prime. Health care for the Soldier is almost always available at the medical treatment facility located on the installation where the Soldier is assigned. Although Soldiers don't usually have a choice of who will provide their health care, the Soldier's Family members, including those of RC Soldiers, have more than one choice about where they may go for health care.

If you are an eligible Family member of a Soldier who is on active duty, then you are covered by one of the Tricare programs as long as you have a valid military ID card and are registered in DEERS.

If your sponsor enrolls your Family in Tricare Prime—one of the three options—you will be assigned a primary care provider at the local hospital or clinic on the installation where your Soldier is assigned. This provider could be a physician, a physician's assistant, or a nurse practitioner.

You will also have the option of signing up for affordable dental care through a Tricare managed program.

A medical record will be made for all Family members at the military treatment facility that indicates who the provider is and shows the Family members medical history. Before you move to another post, check to make sure that the hospital or clinic will forward your medical records and X-rays to your new clinic or hospital. You should check on this each time you move to a new location.

The Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System is the computer network through which any military facility can verify an individual's eligibility for access to military programs and benefits, such as an identification card or health care. The information in this network is the key that unlocks many benefits.

Enrollment in DEERS is not automatic. Your Soldier, also called the sponsor, must register all Family members in the DEERS program. This is done by visiting the nearest Personnel Service Center, located on most every military post—including training installations.

Your Soldier will need an original or certified—true copy of the birth certificates and Social Security cards of each person being registered when he or she signs up. He or she will also need a marriage license to present to DEERS, if they are married.

As an alternative, spouses of Soldiers can register themselves and other Family members if the Soldier has provided a Power of Attorney allowing the spouse to sign for the Soldier.

As a military spouse, you will need a special ID card—a United States Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card. This ID card will allow you to use post facilities, like the Post Exchange, the military's retail store, and the commissary, the military's grocery store. An ID card will also give you access to services such as legal advice or medical care. All Family members over the age of 10 must have an ID card.

To get a government ID card, you must first be registered in DEERS, and your Soldier must fill out and sign a form to apply for the card. A supervisor from your Soldier's unit must also sign the form. You will need it, along with a photo ID, such as a driver's license, to get your ID card.

Because of its importance, you should always carry your ID card with you and guard it carefully. If the ID card is lost, it must be reported to the Military Police immediately.

Tricare is the Department of Defense's medical entitlement program, and utilizes military medical facilities for examinations or treatment. It also uses civilian health care providers who are a part of the Tricare health network for referrals, consultations and other examinations.

Tricare is free to Soldiers but may involve some out-of-pocket expenses for Family members. The cost varies depending on the Soldier's rank and the specific Tricare program option in which the Family member is enrolled.

Through the Tricare program, Family members can also go to civilian health care providers if they desire. But before going to a civilian practitioner, Family members should talk to the Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator at the nearest military health care facility to see if there are any out-of-pocket expenses. The BCAC will confirm your registration in DEERS and can provide a list of doctors in your local area who will accept "Tricare E assignment" patients.

The Exceptional Family Member Program is the Army's program to assist Families that include a person with special needs. This could be a physical, emotional, developmental, or other condition that requires special treatment, therapy, education, or other support.

Once a condition that is under EFMP is identified, enrollment in the program is mandatory. The documented educational, medical, or other need helps the Army and the Family ensure that the resources the Family member needs are available locally. Most importantly, it allows that a Soldier's assignment considers the resources available at the next duty assignment.

As important as EFMP needs are, they do not absolutely dictate that a Soldier cannot receive any particular assignment; military necessity is the main thing that determines assignment.

Soldiers are responsible for keeping their EFMP enrollment current as exceptional Family member conditions change or at least every three years, whichever comes first.

The availability of dental care will vary from post to post, but is usually available for Soldiers. However, Family member care is generally not available at military dental facilities. Family members may get dental insurance through the Tricare Dental Program, which is managed by a civilian firm, United Concordia. This is a dental insurance program in which you pay a monthly fee in exchange for Family coverage. It is a voluntary, cost effective, comprehensive program offered worldwide by the Department of Defense to Family members of all active duty branches of the military, and to Selected Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve members and their Family members.

Just as is the case for Tricare health care, Family members must be registered in DEERS to be eligible for the Tricare Dental Program. In order to participate, the Soldier must have 12 months left on his or her service commitment at the time of enrollment, and submit an enrollment form with the first month's premium to United Concordia or enroll online using a charge card. The monthly premiums will usually be deducted from the Soldier's pay, although there are other payment options. Your BCAC can review this with you.

Depending on the dental procedures performed, treatment may be completely covered by the insurance, or there may be co-payments required.

In addition, there is a maximum annual amount that Tricare will pay for any one beneficiary. Once that yearly amount is reached for the individual, all costs above the maximum must be paid for by the Family.

You may also contact your BCAC, who maintains a listing of participating dentists in your local area and other information on the program.