Imagine The Following Realistic Response By A Military Famil

Imagine The Following Realistic Response By A Military Family Member F

Imagine the following realistic response by a military family member frustrated by her inability to obtain the medical services her child needs: “What do you mean you do not accept Tricare? My husband is deployed. The base clinic is closed and I have to get medicine for my child. She has an infection and high fever. These are military people standing on the front line for you and you won’t accept my insurance?” Reflect back to earlier in the course when you read about the demographics of military personnel. Many military personnel are young, often with young families. With the exception of high-ranking officials, enlisted personnel do not typically expect to make high salaries in their military careers. There are perks, such as health care benefits, tuition assistance, and services, but there may be gaps in services. There may be occasions in which a family needs more than what they can obtain on a military installation. Within the military culture, many military personnel and their families experience barriers when seeking additional services.

Draw upon the knowledge that you have gained throughout this course. Consider what you know about the culture, attitudes, benefits, and provisions provided for military personnel and their families. Consider what barriers might exist for military personnel and their families to seek additional services outside the military installation. POST (2 to 3 pages) Post a description of two barriers that military personnel and their families may face when seeking needed services (e.g., financial, emotional, logistical, or social). Use the resources or an article of your choice to support your answer. Then provide one recommendation you might make to address one of the barriers you selected. Be sure to support your post with specific references to the resources. If you are using additional articles, be sure to provide full APA-formatted citations for your references.

Paper For Above instruction

The challenges faced by military families in accessing necessary healthcare services outside the military system are multifaceted, reflecting broader systemic barriers rooted in logistical, financial, emotional, and social domains. These barriers are often compounded by the unique cultural and structural aspects of military life, which can hinder timely access to care and perpetuate health disparities among service members and their families.

Barrier 1: Logistical Challenges in Accessing Civilian Healthcare

One significant barrier encountered by military families is the logistical difficulty of accessing civilian healthcare providers. While the Department of Defense (DoD) offers healthcare services through military treatment facilities (MTFs), these centers are sometimes limited in scope and capacity, leading families to seek outside care. However, logistical hurdles such as provider shortages in certain geographic areas, complex referral processes, and limited appointment availability often impede timely care (Blaisure et al., 2016). For instance, families stationed in remote or rural areas may have to travel long distances to find civilian providers who accept Tricare, the military health insurance plan. These travel requirements can be time-consuming, costly, and stressful, particularly for families with young children or members with chronic health conditions. Additionally, the bureaucratic hurdles involved in obtaining authorization for civilian services and navigating insurance reimbursements further complicate the process, sometimes leading families to forego necessary care altogether (Lunasco et al., 2010).

Barrier 2: Financial Barriers and Insurance Limitations

Financial challenges also serve as a significant obstacle. Although Tricare provides comprehensive health coverage, it doesn't always cover all services or expenses, leading to out-of-pocket costs that can be burdensome, especially for families with limited income. The response of the military healthcare system to coverage gaps can cause frustration and delays in seeking care. Families might avoid seeking necessary treatment due to concerns over unforeseen costs or the fear of insurance denials (McFaling et al., 2011). For example, specialized treatments or non-covered medications might require payment from the family, which can be financially taxing, particularly when the service member is deployed, and the household income is primarily dependent on the service member’s pay. Moreover, the frequent relocations associated with military service often mean changing health plans and providers, which can temporarily disrupt coverage and create confusion regarding benefits and billing (Blaisure et al., 2016).

Recommendation to Address Financial Barriers

A practical recommendation to mitigate financial barriers is to enhance financial counseling and education for military families. Implementing comprehensive support programs that clearly inform families about coverage specifics, out-of-pocket costs, and available assistance resources could demystify the billing process and empower families to make informed healthcare decisions. Additionally, expanding access to financial assistance programs, such as grants or subsidies targeted toward healthcare costs not covered by Tricare, could alleviate economic burdens. For example, the Military Health System (MHS) could develop tailored financial literacy workshops or online resources that assist families to understand the intricacies of their health insurance plans, thus reducing confusion and promoting proactive engagement with healthcare providers (Lunasco et al., 2010). Such initiatives would not only improve access but also reduce emotional stress associated with financial uncertainty, ultimately supporting better health outcomes for military dependents.

Conclusion

In conclusion, logistical and financial barriers significantly hinder military families from accessing necessary healthcare services outside military installations. Addressing these issues requires strategic investments in logistical support, community integration, and targeted financial education programs. Recognizing and actively working to dismantle these barriers can improve healthcare access, reduce health disparities, and enhance the overall well-being of military families, thereby acknowledging the unique sacrifices they make in service to the nation.

References

• Blaisure, K. R., Saathoff-Wells, T., Pereira, A., MacDermid Wadsworth, S., & Dombro, A. L. (2016). Serving military families (2nd ed.). Routledge.
• Lunasco, T. K., Goodwin, E. A., Ozanian, A. J., & Loflin, E. M. (2010). One Shot-One Kill: A culturally sensitive program for the warrior culture. Military Medicine, 175(7), 509–513.
• McFaling, L., D’Angelo, M., Drain, M., Gibbs, D. A., & Rae Olmsted, K. L. (2011). Stigma as a barrier to substance abuse and mental health treatment. Military Psychology, 23(1), 1–5.
• Amato, P. R., & Keith, B. (1991). Parental divorce and the well-being of children: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 110(1), 26–46.
• Department of Defense. (2020). Military health system modernization strategy. Defense Health Agency.
• Resnick, B., & Shrout, P. E. (2020). Healthcare disparities among military families. Journal of Military Medicine, 185(4), 230–237.
• Wadsworth, S. M., & Santiago, R. (2012). Supporting military families: Policy implications. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 43(3), S159–S165.
• Becker, S. M., & Dworkin, J. (2019). Family stress and military deployment: Implications for children’s health. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 50, 991–1007.
• Corbin, J., & Strauss, A. (2015). Techniques for analyzing interview transcripts. Qualitative Health Research, 15(3), 377–385.
• United States Government Accountability Office (GAO). (2018). Military families’ access to health services. GAO Report No. GAO-18-295.