Tricare officials: be prepared for hurricane season

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FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AFPN) --  With meteorologists predicting another active Atlantic hurricane season, Tricare officials are urging beneficiaries to prepare now before a hurricane causes evacuations or limits access to health care.

The Atlantic storm season is underway and hurricanes and typhoons at home and abroad may affect military families. But preparing for a disaster ahead of time may alleviate some stress they may face during the storm, and ease the burden on their family and loved ones. A few simple steps will help military families prepare for storm season or any disaster.

Americans must be prepared to care for themselves and their loved ones during and immediately following a disaster for at least three days until other resources are available, according to FEMA administrator R. David Paulison.

There are several simple things military families can do to prepare for the hurricane season. 

As a family, make a plan. The plan should outline how to contact each other, how to reunite and what to do in different situations, if a disaster were to happen. Keep basic items like water, food, a battery-powered radio, flashlights and first-aid items in an emergency kit.

Because medical help may not be immediately available during a natural disaster, be sure to pack all of your health-related items in a waterproof emergency kit. These items include:

-- Copies of each family member's uniformed services ID card (or sponsor's name and Social Security number, family members' names, addresses, phone numbers, etc.). 

-- Copies of each family member's Medicare card or other health insurance card, if applicable.

-- Copies of medical records for each family member.

-- List of each family member's primary care manager, other doctors names and phone numbers for each. 

-- Emergency contact names and phone numbers. 

-- List of other important phone numbers, including your regional contractor, Medicare, and Express Scripts (the TRICARE Pharmacy contractor). 

-- List of each family member's prescription medications and their doses, in case they need to be replaced. 

-- List of each family member's allergies. 

-- A properly-stored 30-day supply of all prescription medications for each family member.
 
-- For those who require Insulin, a 30-day supply as well as proper storage to keep it cool. 

-- Nonprescription drugs, such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacid, laxatives, bug spray, itch control, etc. 

-- List of medical devices' style/model and serial numbers, such as pacemakers.

-- Extra wheelchair batteries or other special equipment. 

-- Extra eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries. 

For more information and valuable tips, please visit TRICARE's Disaster Relief Web page.

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