DOD, Tricare continue to enhance benefits

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FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AFPN) --  The Department of Defense continues to enhance the Tricare benefit while providing cost-effective healthcare 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 Oct. 31, 2007, with a proposal to make it permanent.

-- Medically necessary obstetrical ultrasounds, which Tricare will cost-share separate from the delivery fee.

-- Dental implants and related prosthetics covered at a 50-percent cost share under the new Tricare Dental Program Contract that began Feb. 1.

"Since its inception more then a decade ago, Tricare continues to provide an increasingly comprehensive healthcare plan to uniformed servicemembers, 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 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, or NDAA. NDAA authorized a number of additions to the Tricare program, effective Oct. 1, to include the following:

-- Expansion of the Tricare Reserve Select health plan offered for purchase by qualified National Guard and Reserve servicemembers.

-- Enhanced mental health services such as additional coverage for post-traumatic stress disorder, or 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 Oct. 7, 2001, and submit them for reimbursement upon full implementation of this benefit.

-- Expansion of the Tricare Dental Program, or 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.

-- ROTC cadets and 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 servicemember. Eligible beneficiaries should save their receipts for care received from Jan. 6 and submit them for reimbursement upon full implementation of this benefit.

For the most up-to-date information on the current benefit and changes, visit www.tricare.osd.mil.