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 NEWS
 New Tricare health program that could have big impact for traditional Guard By Sgt. 1st Class Erick Studenicka
 ARLINGTON, Va. - A revamped and less complicated TRICARE Reserve Select health care program is set to launch on Oct. 1, providing National Guard Soldiers and Airmen a new option for insuring themselves and their families. Soldiers and Airmen will be able to purchase TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) insurance Oct. 1, which features nearly identical coverage to active-duty TRICARE Standard/Extra insurance and costs far less than the current reserve select premiums. One major highlight of the new version is that it offers one premium level instead of the current three-tier system. The TRICARE insurance does not depend on employment status or whether the Soldier or Airmen has deployed in support of contingency operations. The program will also offer expanded survivor coverage and continuously open enrollment. TRICARE officials said the primary reason for the elimination of the tiered system was to simplify the program and to give all National Guard and reserve component servicemembers the same coverage regardless of past deployment status or service time. "We're extremely excited about the enhancements to TRICARE Reserve Select," said Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, the deputy director of TRICARE Management Activity. "The 2007 National Defense Authorization Act eliminates the complicated three-tier system as of Oct. 1. All qualified members of the selected reserve who purchase health care coverage under the new TRS will pay the same low monthly premium." The new coverage plan will cost $81 per month for service-member coverage and $253 per month for servicemember and family coverage. The premiums will not change through December 2008 but may be adjusted annually thereafter. Currently, TRS offers all members of the selected reserve the chance to purchase comprehensive health coverage. Premiums for that coverage are based on three qualification tiers. Depending on which of the tiers a servicemember was accepted based on previous service or employment status, monthly costs for an individual could range from $81-$247 or from $253-$767 for a member and his family. There are two qualification criteria for TRS in the revamped program. First, the member must be a selected reserve member of the ready reserve. Second, the member must not be eligible for the Federal Employee Health Benefits program or currently covered through the FEHB (either through their own eligibility or through a family member). All current participants in the three-tier TRS program must renew their coverage if they wish for it to continue past Sept. 30. Forms to continue the three-tiered program as well as the new program are located at www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/trs/index.jsp. The forms must then be forwarded to the appropriate TRICARE regional contractor along with one month's premium. In the past, TRS eligibility was based on several qualifying factors and monthly premiums were based upon a member's qualification tier. Tier One, the least expensive premium qualification, went to those Soldiers and Airmen who had been ordered to active duty for more than 30 days in support of contingency operations. Tier Two qualification went to those members who were unemployed, self-employed or were employed by an organization that did not offer health care coverage. Tier Three, which included the most expensive premiums, was reserved for members who had entered into a service agreement but did not qualify for Tier One or Two. One of the biggest advantages of TRICARE Standard is that it features an almost unrestricted choice of health care providers, including military treatment facilities, TRICARE network providers, and non-network participating providers. In most cases, a patient can see a specialist without prior authorization. TRICARE Extra is an extra discount given to TRICARE Standard beneficiaries when a TRICARE network provider is used. There is no enrollment. TRICARE is the Department of Defense's comprehensive health care coverage program for servicemembers, their families and survivors. TRICARE also offers health care programs for retired servicemembers, including dental and pharmaceutical services. There are about 9.1 million eligible beneficiaries worldwide within the TRICARE organization. About 11,500 National Guard and reserve component servicemembers are currently enrolled in the tiered TRS program. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen can find out more about the new TRS program and locate their TRICARE regional contractor's contact information at the "My Benefits" portal at www.tricare.mil.
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