Armed Forces Beneficiaries ­

Receiving Enhanced Healthcare

FALLS CHURCH, VA. -—The Department of Defense continues to enhance the TRICARE benefit while providing cost-effective health care for 9.2 million eligible beneficiaries worldwide.

Enhancements for this year include: colorectal cancer screening for beneficiaries age 50 and older who are at normal risk; the TRICARE Reserve Family Demonstration Benefit extension through October 31, 2007, with a proposal to make it permanent; medically necessary obstetrical ultrasounds, which TRICARE will cost share separate from the delivery fee; and dental implants and related prosthetics covered at a 50 percent cost share under the new TRICARE Dental Program Contract that began February 1, 2006.

“Since its inception more then a decade ago, TRICARE continues to provide an increasingly comprehensive health care plan to uniformed service members, retirees, and their families,” said Dr William J. Winkenwerder, Jr, assistant secretary of defense for Health Affairs. “We must work to ensure this quality benefit remains a comprehensive benefit for all eligible beneficiaries.”

In addition to the DoD initiatives to improve the TRICARE benefit this year, Congress legislated other program changes through its annual authorization known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). On January 6, the president signed the NDAA for this year which authorized a number of additions to the TRICARE program, effective October 1, 2006, to include the following:

Expansion of the TRICARE Reserve Select health plan offered for purchase by qualified National Guard and Reserve service members.

Enhanced mental health services such as:

Additional coverage for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and mental health conditions; and

Development of plans addressing regional PTSD and mental health challenges.

Extended coverage under TRICARE Prime for surviving children whose sponsor dies while serving on active duty for a period of more than 30 days. Eligible beneficiaries should save their receipts for care received from October 7, 2001, and submit for reimbursement upon full implementation of this benefit.

Expansion of the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) Survivor Benefit to include the surviving active duty spouse if both spouses are on active duty when one of the spouses dies; and the surviving spouse enrolls in the TDP after retirement or separation within three years of the death.

Eligible beneficiaries should save their receipts for care received as of January 6, 2006, and submit for reimbursement upon full implementation of this benefit.

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets/midshipmen on orders, who have not yet reported for their initial period of active duty and are uninsured, may qualify for medical and dental care as an active duty service member. Eligible beneficiaries should save their receipts for care received from January 6, and submit for reimbursement upon full implementation of this benefit.

For the most up-to-date information on the current benefit and changes, visit TRICARE’s website at www.tricare.osd.mil. For the latest TRICARE updates, visit www.tricare.osd.mil/tricaresubscriptions to sign up for the email subscription service.

TRICARE Management Activity is the Department of Defense agency that administers the health care plan for the 9.2 million eligible beneficiaries worldwide. These beneficiaries include members of the uniformed services, retirees, and their families.