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Improved health care plan for reservists starts in October

14 Sep 2007 |

Reservists can begin signing up Aug. 11 for more affordable Tricare Select Reserve health care that starts Oct. 1.

For some, it means they will pay a third of what they are paying today.

"All drilling reservists, including individual mobilization augmentees, will have access to the health-care benefit at its lowest premium rate," said Lt. Col. Alexander Alex, Air Force Reserve Command's health benefits manager. "Interested reservists, including those who are currently enrolled in Tricare Reserve Select, must fill out a newly developed Defense Department Form 2896-1 to take part in this restructured program."

In the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress told Defense Department officials to restructure the plan's three-tier payment system, which has been in effect since 2006. Dr. David S.C. Chu, deputy secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, signed the new policy Aug. 3.

Under the system that ends Sept. 30, only reservists on or recently returned from a contingency operation qualify for Tier 1, the lowest cost premium.

Reservists in Tier 3 pay the most each month, $247 for the reservist alone and $767.41 for the reservist and family. They include people who haven't been in a contingency recently, who are not self-employed, who work for an employer who offers a health care plan or who do not qualify for unemployment compensation as determined by state law.

That all changes starting Oct. 1. All drilling reservists will pay the lowest premium, $81 a month for single coverage. Monthly premiums for reservists and families will be $253. Tricare will adjust premiums annually on Jan. 1.

"We've been working hard for years to improve health-care benefits for all reservists, and this is a big step in that process," said Maj. Gen. Allan R. Poulin, AFRC's vice commander.

The general encourages all reservists to study the program to see if it meets their needs.

"As a health-care consultant, I have looked at numerous plans," Colonel Alex said. "And this is a very competitive 80/20 indemnity plan where the government pays 80 percent and the member pays 20 percent of the cost share.

"One of its huge benefits is the pharmacy program," he said. "If used wisely, members can get a 90-day supply of medicine for $3 per prescription."

Another plus to the plan is its $1,000 catastrophic cap, among the lowest in the industry, according to Colonel Alex.

"Once a member has paid $1,000 in a fiscal year, Tricare will pay 100 percent of the Tricare allowable cost after that," he said.

About 11,500 members of the reserve components across all services are enrolled in Tricare Reserve Select. They include some 2,700 Air Force reservists.

Colonel Alex said these people will be required to re-enroll in the program using a DD Form 2896-1 if they want to keep their coverage.

To begin the application process, reservists should visit the Guard and Reserve Web portal. Note, this is a restricted site. DOD officials said they are looking into a simpler application process.

For more specific information, people can go to the Tricare Reserve Select Web site or contact the Air Reserve Personnel Center toll free at 800-525-0102 or DSN 926-6730. The fax number is commercial 478-327-2215 or DSN 497-2215. Online customer service is available by going to the Virtual Personnel Center -Guard Reserve Web site, and clicking on "New Request."

All drilling reservists are qualified for the restructured Tricare Reserve Select program starting Oct. 1 with one major exception: If they are eligible for Federal Employee Health Benefits or are currently covered under FEHB (either under their own eligibility or through a family member's eligibility), they are not eligible to purchase Tricare Reserve Select.

"We want reservists to know that Tricare Reserve Select is something they have earned through their service to their country," said Colonel Alex. "And it is a benefit that our senior leaders have worked very hard to obtain. We hope all of our reservists will take a good look at what the program has to offer."

Colonel Alex encourages all reservists to visit the Tricare Reserve Select Web site to find out more information.

"This Web site is kept very current and will be updated as the new Tricare Reserve Select restructuring takes effect," he said.

If Air Force reservists can't find more information about TRICARE Reserve Select medical coverage after Aug. 12, 2007, or have general questions about it, they can e-mail Colonel Alex at AFRC/TRICAREreserves@afrc.af.mil.

(Courtesy of Air Force Reserve Command News Service)