In August of 2009, TRICARE began a pilot program in the United States to evaluate the use of web-based technologies to deliver counseling services to beneficiaries, as well as to determine if such access could increase effectiveness and indentify behavioral health earlier.

Due to the positive response and high number of calls since then, the TRICARE Assistance Program (TRIAP) has been extended until 2012. This February, program officials reported that a majority of the close to 3,000 calls have come from noncommissioned officers in the Army and are chiefly about relationship conflicts and issues.

TRIAP services are available to active-duty servicemembers, active-duty family members (children must be age 18 or older), beneficiaries using TRICARE Reserve Select and beneficiaries covered under the Transition Assistance Management Program (TAMP).

To utilize the TRIAP service, users need Internet access with a webcam and Skype (available for free at www.skype.com) capabilities. For those who do not have this access, counselors are also available via phone and instant messaging chats.

All counselors are licensed mental health professionals and are available for private, confidential discussions about any issues, including, but not limited to: stress management; deployments and family separations; self-esteem; marital issues; and parent/child communications. They cannot provide assistance with financial management, medication management, psychoanalysis or any emergency care.

TRIAP services cover short-term, non-medical issues and a referral or authorization code is not needed. If a counselor thinks a patient would benefit from more comprehensive care, he or she will explain the options and help get that care through the TRICARE system. To begin using the TRIAP system, visit www.triwest.com/beneficiary/behavioralhealth/onlinecare/default.aspx and click on the "Live Online Assistance" tab on the right side of the screen.