TriWest offers new service to combat major depression Published Nov. 22, 2010 By TRICARE Healthcare Alliance West Region PHOENIX -- TriWest Healthcare Alliance has a new Disease Management program for Major Depression now being offered to eligible West Region TRICARE beneficiaries. Beneficiaries suffering from Major Depression, also known as clinical depression, can receive extra help through TriWest Healthcare Alliance, which manages the TRICARE military healthcare entitlement on behalf of the Department of Defense (DoD) for 21 western states. Major Depression is the most common depressive disorder. More than 20 million Americans have been diagnosed with depression according to the National Institutes of Health--about the equivalent of New York State's population. Clinical depression is a disabling disease characterized by persistent and enduring sadness, unhappiness and negativity that interfere with one's daily life. Generally, a person who is depressed also exhibits at least three other symptoms, such as sleep disturbance, significant drop in energy levels, weight gain or loss and frequent irritability. TriWest's Disease Management department also offers support to beneficiaries with diabetes, asthma, lung diseases (COPD) and heart failure. The depression program, launched by TriWest in November, is a no-cost entitlement for those who are eligible. Eligibility is determined by TRICARE and is based on claims history. Once a beneficiary is identified as eligible to participate in the program, the DoD refers the beneficiary to TriWest. A Disease Management health coach then contacts the beneficiary and invites him or her to participate in the program. The Major Depression Disease Management Program has a number of services to help beneficiaries including a health coach who works with the beneficiary and the primary care manager to tailor an action plan. The health coach will then work with the beneficiary until the plan's goals are met. As needed, the beneficiary can also access smoking cessation, exercise, medication and nutrition help from his or her TriWest health coach. TriWest also works alongside the Military Health System to offer additional behavioral health resources to support those in need, including the TRICARE Assistance Program (TRIAP). Here eligible beneficiaries, including services members and their families, can access private, confidential counseling sessions 24/7 with a licensed therapist via Internet (Skype), chat or over the telephone. These sessions are non-clinical and intended for general life issues, such as stress management or relationship problems. For more information, visit www.triwest.com/onlinecare. Beneficiaries can find additional resources at www.triwest.com/depression and www.tricare.mil.