Access Medical opens new office to serve Loris area Mar 15, 2008
Access will accept insurance plans from Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Medicare and Medicaid, Medcost, Carolina Care Plan, Blue Choice and Champus. They are working on United Health Care and North Carolina Medicaid. (Loris Scene, SC)
Mental Health Providers Too Few For Troops Mar 7, 2008
The study also confirmed that repeated deployments were placing strains on soldiers' marriages a factor in the report's recommendation that the military's insurance program, TRICARE, be amended to provide coverage for marital and family counseling. Contact Lisa Chedekel at. (FOX61, CT)
Letters to the Editor - 2/23/2008 Feb 24, 2008
The cuts, in payments to doctors, will devastate seniors' and military beneficiaries' access to health care by encouraging even more doctors to refuse Medicare and military Tricare patients. Military beneficiaries are affected even more severely because Tricare rates are capped at Medicare's and, in many cases, even discounted below Medicare's ... In many areas, health care providers already refuse Tricare patients. (North County Times)
Humana reports surging fourth-quarter earnings due to growing government segment Feb 5, 2008
Humana provides health insurance for military families and retirees through its Tricare program. Pretax earnings from Humana's commercial segment rose slightly to $54. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
Value Candidate Jan 31, 2008
(I'm including TriCare, a military benefits system that contributes 11. Two years ago the company attracted a flood of enrollees. (SmartMoney)
Constellation Software Inc.: US Department of Defense TRICARE Management Activity Division Awards Nutrition Automated Information System (AIS) Contract to Computrition, Inc. Jan 26, 2008
CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA--(Marketwire - Jan. 25, 2008) - Computrition, Inc., a subsidiary of Constellation Software Inc. (TSX: - ), and a leading developer of hospitality, food management and patient care automation, announced the selection of its Hospitality Suite software solution by the United States Defense Department for 44 TRICARE Management Activity facilities located worldwide ... Headquartered in Falls Church, VA the TRICARE Management Activity division of the US Department of Defense is... (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
Early retirees try to fill gap in health coverage Jan 15, 2008
Colson, a retired chief petty officer for the Navy Reserves, says his "saving grace" was the Defense Department's Tricare plan, available for active-duty and retired service members. The plan, which provides coverage for Colson and his wife, costs $460 a year. (USA Today)
Hurdles remain high for any bump in retiree TRICARE fees Jan 1, 2008
The Progress-Index - Hurdles remain high for any bump in retiree TRICARE fees ... Hurdles remain high for any bump in retiree TRICARE fees 01/01/2008 The Defense Department s top health official believes that within the next year or two TRICARE fees, co-pays and deductibles will begin to gradually go up for military retirees ... Dr. Gail Wilensky, co-chair of the Task Force on the Future of Military Health Care which has endorsed higher TRICARE fees for retirees, believes Congress will be... (Petersburg Progress Index, VA)
Reluctant insurers shy away from weight-loss surgery coverage Dec 22, 2007
TRICARE, health care insurance for military personnel, is one of the only programs that cover the surgery locally, using a criteria similar to Medicare's. There is a long list of insurers that exclude coverage for its fully insured customers, but will coordinate it for large employers that choose to add coverage under a rider to their benefit policies. (San Antonio Business Journal, TX)
Findings and Recommendations of Task Force on the Future of Military Healthcare Released Dec 21, 2007
Independent examination of financial controls to ensure healthcare for those eligible and to ensure that Tricare operates, as legally required, as a second payer when there is other health insurance ... Continued attention on medical readiness of the Reserve component and close attention to the implementation and effectiveness of Tricare Reserve Select ... including the pharmacy benefit program, including a modest fee for the Tricare for Life program. (DOD DefenseLINK -- News)
DoD News Briefing with Gen. Corley and Gail Wilensky from the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington, Va Dec 21, 2007
Despite overall health care inflation, TRICARE premiums and cost-sharing provisions have stayed the same for about a decade ... It is important to do this with regard to the adequacy of the processes regarding eligibility, and also the secondary payer role that TRICARE is supposed to have ... It is important that the acquisition process in TRICARE be prioritized with regard to TRICARE management. (DOD DefenseLINK -- News)
Tsongas ready to serve Dec 13, 2007
My office can also help you obtain forms for Immigration, get information about the current warnings on international travel, obtain assistance with Medicare or TRICARE, obtain copies of your Military records, or find out the status of your claim under the Office of Workmen's Compensation program. If there is anything I or my staff can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact one of my offices. (Hudson Sun, MA)
Open Season for Drug-Insurance Swindlers Dec 9, 2007
Enrolling in such a plan can affect eligibility for other types of coverage, such as Tricare, the health-care plan for current and retired military members. The result can mean having to switch doctors or pay more money for health benefits than would have been necessary. (Wall Street Journal)
Many AFAP_issues resolved since symposium Dec 1, 2007
TRICARE offers one routine eye exam per year. Scope: Need more African-American hair grooming items in Commissary and PX.. (Leavenworth Lamp, KS)
Dems thinking ahead to South Carolina Nov 20, 2007
The ad praises Clinton for voting to expand the military's Tricare health care program and says she would "fully fund" the Department of Veterans Affairs as president. "They have done their best for us, now we must do our best for them," Clinton says. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Dispute over who pays for medical services Nov 19, 2007
The Marin Emergency Physicians and Marin Urgent Care Physicians groups, which staff Novato Community Hospital's emergency room and Sutter Health's urgent care center in Terra Linda, have contracts with Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Tricare, Pacificare and the Marin Individual Practice Association, Kunzel said. Insurance companies sometimes contract with medical groups like the Marin IPA who then in turn sign contracts with physicians. (Marin Independent-Journal)
Study: Depression, PTSD Up For Iraq Vets Nov 14, 2007
Gen. Stephen L. Jones, assistant surgeon general For those citizen soldiers, the military's Tricare health insurance benefits expire after six months; VA benefits expire two years after a soldier's return to civilian status. A report released in June said more money and people are needed to care for troops suffering mental health problems because of their war experiences. (CBS News)
Iraq vets facing stress, depression Nov 14, 2007
For those citizen soldiers, the military's Tricare health insurance benefits expire after six months; VA benefits expire two years after a soldier's return to civilian status. Click for related content. (MSNBC -- International)
BlueCross targets $6B contract Nov 12, 2007
When the current defense department contract, Tricare, was issued in 2003, it was split regionally into three $2 billion segments. Humana Military Healthcare Services won the Tricare Southern region contract, which covers Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and the eastern portion of Texas. (Birmingham Business Journal, AL)
TriWest, Grammy-Nominated Artist and Partners Release 'For the Troops' CD in Appreciation of Military Members Nov 10, 2007
A Phoenix-based corporation, TriWest provides access to cost-effective, high-quality health care in the 21-state TRICARE West Region, the 2007 TRICARE Region of the year. TriWest is a proud Corporate Team Member of America Supports You. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Humana Inc. looks to England for growth Oct 24, 2007
4 billion in revenue came from managing U.S. government programs, such as the military's TRICARE insurance program and Medicare health insurance and prescription-drug programs. Now, Humana is looking overseas to expand its ties with government agencies. (MSNBC -- Business)
Bush’s disability pay plan targets new generation of veterans Oct 23, 2007
Less clear is the administration s position on whether all veterans separated as medically unfit should be eligible for lifetime benefits under TRICARE Standard, the military s fee-for-service health insurance plan ... That would match the current threshold for TRICARE eligibility among disabled veterans ... To some veteran advocates, the White House motive here is to block most veterans discharged as medically unfit from gaining access to TRICARE benefits. (Petersburg Progress Index, VA)
McCaskill discusses affordable health care for employees of small businesses Oct 17, 2007
The local situation is complicated by many local workers being retired military members who purchase TRICARE on their own or who are spouses of military members or retirees, Lynch said, reducing the number of people who need to obtain private health insurance. Comments. (Waynesille Daily Guide, MO)
McCaskill says veterans’ care must be key priority Oct 13, 2007
Veterans health care is pretty important, as is TRICARE. We ve got to figure out how we maintain a strong TRICARE system for retired military and how we maintain a strong veterans health care system ... They re coming home, they re getting appointments faster, they re getting improvements in treatment, and TRICARE is getting better. (Waynesille Daily Guide, MO)
BofA, Health Net in medical-payment venture Oct 4, 2007
6 million individuals through group, individual, Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE and Veterans Affairs programs. Charlotte-based BofA (NYSE:BAC) is one of the world's largest financial institutions. (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)
Retiree costs to rise as employer-paid TRICARE plans end Oct 2, 2007
Peterson is among tens of thousands of working retirees who will see their health costs rise from a law Congress enacted last year that prohibits companies as well as state and local governments from offering health plans or other incentives to encourage military retirees who work for them to drop employer-provided health plans and use their TRICARE benefits instead. Peterson, 53, dropped his company's group health insurance four years ago when it began offering a free supplement to TRICARE... (Petersburg Progress Index, VA)
Iraq soldiers back home left to deal with injuries, health system Sep 30, 2007
He has TRICARE, the Department of Defense's health-care program for service members and their families and survivors ... "I'm just really grateful that I have insurance. I am grateful I have any help at all, because I know the bills are absolutely ridiculous -- because I see what TRICARE pays," he says. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
Senate to hike health care reimbursement Sep 28, 2007
Tricare, the military health insurance program, cut its payments to civilian therapists this year because it ties its rates to Medicare, which had dropped its rates ... The amendment also requires the secretary to submit a report to Congress on access to mental health services under Tricare ... A Tricare spokeswoman said she could not comment on pending legislation. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Tricare changes policy on anesthesia, hospital stays for dental care Sep 20, 2007
"When on staff at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School, National Naval Medical Center Bethesda," Alexander explained, "I was also Specialty Leader for Pediatric Dentistry for the Navy." During that time it came to her attention that Tricare did not pay for the general anesthesia or for the facility fee to have the dental work done. "This is a sad disparity because if the same child needs her tonsils out, Tricare will take care of it out in town," Alexander explained ... A Tricare Management... (The Dolphin, CT)
Families wage fight for brain-injured Sep 9, 2007
His five months at the hospital have been covered by the military's insurance system, known as TRICARE, but he probably will soon be discharged from the system - or "med-boarded" as the military puts it. Then it is up to the VA to decide whether to continue his private rehabilitation, and the VA has previously signaled to the family that he should go to the Tampa TBI center. (Boston Globe -- Local)
Military Man Sep 5, 2007
Humana Military works in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense through a contract with Tricare, a health insurance program for military personnel and their families. Humana Military serves about 2. (Louisville Business First, KY)
Column wrong about veterans Sep 2, 2007
Additionally, upon release from active duty, service members and their families receive 180 days of transitional health-care benefits through the military health insurance program, Tricare. This also includes coverage for mental health counseling for both the service member and his or her family. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
RED TAPE CHRONICLES Sep 1, 2007
The insurance company, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, sub contracts with Tricare, the health coverage provided by the Defense Department, to care for 2. 9 million troops in 21 states. (Las Vegas Sun)
An Issue of Betrayal Aug 29, 2007
These people use TRICARE Prime as their primary source of health insurance. TRICARE, a program administered by the Defense Department and contracted to health care providers such as Humana, TriWest, and Health Net, has its roots in the Clinton administration. (Human Events Online)
Genetic discrimination Aug 18, 2007
While some eventually receive benefits from Veterans Affairs or private insurers, the policy leaves Miller and others scrambling to find treatment for complex medical conditions at the same time they are reestablishing their lives as civilians without having the benefit of Tricare, the military's health insurance. "It seems particularly draconian to say, 'Well, you're out with no benefits,' whereas another person with the same injury gets the coverage simply because we don't know there's a gene... (Los Angeles Times)
All vets equal? Aug 1, 2007
The Wounded Warrior commission said combat-related disabilities should trigger benefits through TRICARE (the military's health insurance program) for the service member and their dependents. Would this cut out vets with noncombat disabilities. (Anchorage Daily News)
Humana posts higher second-quarter profit on improved revenue Jul 31, 2007
Humana said that premiums and administrative service fees from its Tricare business increased $71 ... Tricare provides health insurance for military families and retirees. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
PTSD cases greater than Camp Pendleton's count Jul 29, 2007
Married Marines are engaging in increased numbers of family psychotherapy sessions with their spouse and/or children through the mental health provision of their Tricare insurance program ... I can understand why Marines are reluctant to report their symptoms, using programs such as "One Source" and "Tricare," as well as anger and stress management groups instead. (North County Times)
Pelosi Urges President to Appoint New VA Secretary Who Will Ensure Veterans Receive Health Care They Deserve Jul 18, 2007
" DEMOCRATIC-LED CONGRESS: HONORING AND KEEPING OUR PROMISE TO AMERICA'S VETERANS The 110th Congress has voted for historic increases in veterans' health care and benefits programs, totaling nearly $12 billion, to meet the needs of returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, make up for the Bush Administration's past shortchanging of veterans, and keep the President's proposed fee increases from hitting veterans. KEY BILLS THE 110th CONGRESS HAS PASSED INTO LAW: FY 2007 Funding (H.J.Res. 20;... (PR Newswire)
Jazz pharma to pay $20M to settle Orphan Medical misbranding charges Jul 14, 2007
Palo Alto-based Jazz Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:JAZZ) said the agreement was made with the Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the United States Office of Personnel Management and the United States Department of Tricare Management Activity. The investigation centered around promotion of Xyrem, a pharmaceutical product approved in the United States for... (San Jose Business Journal, CA)
What an awesome letter. So true, so true. Just how do this clowns know when someone is here illegally? I think by the color of their skin! Even if these guys show them their Permanent Resident Alien cards the minutemen still call them illegals and accuse them of having false documents. One thing is for sure the brown skinned folks are now the blacks of the 21st Century. More... Jun 21, 2007
These medical benefits are provided for military dependents via a program known as Tricare ... Fees allowed under the Tricare program are tied to Medicare but are much lower ... I am hopeful that congressional action will be taken to address both the Medicare as well as the Tricare reimbursement rates. (North County Times)
Failing our troops Jun 19, 2007
Incredibly, just days before the study was released, that the Pentagon was cutting reimbursements to therapists provided through its Tricare insurance. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has six months to create a plan based on this report's recommendations. (North County Times)
Many therapists rejecting soldiers’ TRICARE Jun 14, 2007
Many therapists rejecting soldiers TRICARE ... To avoid the hassles of Tricare, the military health insurance program, one frustrated therapist opted to provide an hour of therapy time a week to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans for free ... The therapist recommended by her physician would not take Tricare. (Waynesille Daily Guide, MO)
Soldiers struggle to find therapists Jun 11, 2007
The therapist recommended by her physician would not take Tricare ... 1 million people covered by Tricare, a number that grew by more than 1 million since 2001 ... Fragmented, inadequate benefitsTricares psychological health benefit is hindered by fragmented rules and policies, inadequate oversight and insufficient reimbursement, the said last month after reviewing the militarys psychological care system. (MSNBC -- Health)
Medicare Cuts to Physicians Will Harm Arkansas Seniors Jun 5, 2007
"The government plans to cut Medicare payments to physicians about 40 percent over the next nine years, while practice costs increase 20 percent. Seventy-seven percent of physicians say they will be forced to limit the number of new Medicare patients they can treat if the nine years of cuts occur." "Military families are also at risk, because, by law, the military health insurance program TRICARE ties its physician payment rates to Medicare. We are deeply concerned about access to care for... (PR Newswire)
New Veterans unit could be big business for Humana Inc. Jun 5, 2007
9 million people covered under the U.S. Department of Defense's TRICARE program. Humana Military won a five-year, $2 billion contract in 2003 to serve as the managed-care support contractor for about 2. (MSNBC -- Business)
At U.S. military hospitals, 'everybody is overworked' Jun 5, 2007
" One solution would be to send more patients to see doctors in nearby communities. However, fewer private doctors want to accept military patients. Some doctors shun Tricare, the military insurance program, which pays the same modest rates as Medicare. Other doctors only accept military patients if they can prescribe whatever medical treatments they deem necessary, which often conflicts with Army physicians who may prefer more limited procedures, Goodrich says. Goodrich says he believes Winn is... (USA Today)
Semantics may cost Alaska military personnel a counselor May 29, 2007
"Tricare is getting rid of qualified providers that could help meet the needs here," Levy said in a recent interview ... Tricare is the military's health care agency ... An e-mailed explanation from Tricare officials seems to confirm that. (Anchorage Daily News)
Military Update: Task force says raise TRICARE fees and retail drug co-pays May 26, 2007
The Pentagon-appointed Task Force on the Future of Military Health will endorse higher TRICARE fees, deductibles and co-payments for under-65 retirees and their families in an interim report to be sent to Congress May 31. It also will back other key features of the TRICARE reform package first proposed last year by the Department of Defense ... Raising beneficiary co-payments on prescriptions filled in the TRICARE retail pharmacy network. (Sierra Vista Herald, AZ)
Humana reports lower 1st-quarter earnings, beats estimates, boosts full-year forecast May 1, 2007
Meanwhile, Humana said Monday that its Tricare membership totaled nearly 2 ... Tricare provides health insurance for military families and retirees. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
For veterans in rural areas, care hard to reach Apr 29, 2007
The military insurance system, known as TRICARE , has gaps that can leave them without effective coverage ... Another common complaint among veterans is that rural medical care providers, tired of the paperwork and long delays involved in the federal benefit system, often do not accept TRICARE, the military's health insurance for active-duty soldiers and their families ... After TRICARE runs out, veterans rely on either their private care insurance, for those who can afford such policies, or the... (Boston Globe)
Seattle psychologist sentenced for military health care fraud Apr 7, 2007
Dr. David Celio, 63, pleaded guilty in November to one count of health care fraud for repeatedly filing bogus claims for reimbursement with TRICARE, which covers retired military personnel, reservists and spouses and children of active-duty soldiers. U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman also sentenced Celio to two years of supervised release after he serves his sentence. (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
Latino Families Benefit from Senate Approved Budget Mar 24, 2007
The resolution also rejects the President's proposal to raise TRICARE co-payments and to impose new fees and higher co-payments on certain veterans, which, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates, would result in more than 100,000 veterans leaving the VA health care system. Contact: Federico A. de Jesus, 202-224-2939. (PR Newswire)
THE NEW MILITARY FAMILYCONFLICT IN IRAQ: FOUR YEARS Mar 19, 2007
" Sam's obligation to the Reserves is over. Now a major, he could walk away if he wanted. But he hasn't. He has no plans to resign. Would he go back to Iraq? "I do not have an interest in going back soon," he says. Resources for Guard and Reserve families Summary of benefits for reservists -- / docs/NatlGd-Reserves VABens0503.pdf Operation Ready Families -- www.cal lies, (800) 449-9662 Vet Centers -- , (866) 496-8838 Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve -- , (800) 336-4590 Military... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Family-friendly military confronts growing ranks of bereaved spouses, children Mar 4, 2007
--Health Care: An unremarried, surviving spouse and minor dependents of the member are eligible for medical care at military medical facilities or are covered by the military's TRICARE health plan. --Commissary and Exchange Privileges: A surviving spouse and minor children are eligible to shop at military stores, benefiting from savings available there. (North County Times)
Express Scripts Comments on Delaware Court of Chancery Ruling Feb 24, 2007
" Caremark stockholders are reminded that their vote is important. Stockholders may be able to vote their shares by telephone or by the Internet, and are advised that if they have any questions or need any assistance in voting their shares, they should contact Express Scripts' proxy advisor, MacKenzie Partners, Inc. Toll-Free at 800-322-2885. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher LLP, Arnold r LLP, and Young Conaway Stargatt r, LLP are acting as legal counsel to Express Scripts, and Citigroup Corporate... (PR Newswire)
KePRO hires manager of local operations Feb 18, 2007
KePRO historically has provided outsourced health care-related services for government organizations such as state-run Medicaid programs and the U.S. Department of Defense's Tricare health insurance program. Its Louisville office, the base for the HealthQuest subsidiary, was launched in August to focus on providing services for commercial clients, such as self-insured employers, third-party administrators and private health plans. (Louisville Business First, KY)
Taking Care Of Giving Care Feb 15, 2007
"Civilian organizations, albeit well-meaning, do not understand the unique demands of military members and cannot be expected to understand duty status issues, referral for care, etc.," wrote Nancy M. Brown, deputy commander for clinical operations at the DiLorenzo TRICARE Health Clinic ... Col. Elspeth Ritchie, psychiatry consultant to the Army surgeon general, said soldiers have a "wide range of options" to seek care within the military, and she urged private providers who want to help troops... (FOX61, CT)
True supporters Feb 14, 2007
Tricare for reservists (Senate vote No. 282) -- Allow Reservists and National Guard soldiers to buy into the Defense Department's health insurance plan at subsidized rates ... Tricare for reservists (Senate vote No. 221) -- Extend free health care to all reserve and National Guard soldiers. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Obama calls for universal health care Jan 26, 2007
Leland Lesher wrote on January 25, 2007 2:51 PM:"To "buyer beware" The US military has had socialized healthcare for years. Until BC/BS took over the lions' share of it, it worked just fine. Now, the military fondly calls it Try to get Care instead of Tricare. Private insurance is about their own bottom line, not healthcare. It is obscene that the wealthiest country in the world, with the best doctors, and best hospitals, are only for the wealthy and the very, very poor. We have the best... (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Tricare can help cut medical costs Jan 9, 2007
Dear Sgt. Shaft: We would like to learn more about Tricare coverage before dropping our Mail Handlers Benefit Plan insurance. Our current health coverage is as follows: My husband has Medicare Part A and B, Tricare for Life and Mail Handers Standard Option ... I have Mail Handlers Standard Option and Tricare Standard. (Washington Times, DC)
Express Scripts Offer for Caremark is Superior Jan 8, 2007
Factors that may impact these forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: * uncertainties associated with our acquisitions, which include integration risks and costs, uncertainties associated with client retention and repricing of client contracts, and uncertainties associated with the operations of acquired businesses * costs and uncertainties of adverse results in litigation, including a number of pending class action cases that challenge certain of our business practices *... (PR Newswire)
RAVES, RANTS & ROSES, DECEMBER 17 Dec 22, 2006
The doctors and staff of Ear, Nose and Throat Associates of East Texas are very sympathetic to the issue of Tricare insurance ... Sometimes it may cost doctors money to see Tricare patients ... We at ENT Associates do and will continue to accept Tricare patients in accordance with patriotism (their spouses are fighting and risking their lives for our freedom). (Tyler Morning Telegraph, TX)
Medicare drug benefit costs were under budget Nov 29, 2006
Instead of getting drug coverage through Medicare, many seniors and the disabled receive it through the Department of Veterans Affairs, state programs, the TRICARE program for active duty and retired members of the military and their families, the Indian Health Service or the federal employee insurance program, she said. While 90 percent of people over 65 and the disabled have prescription drug coverage, not all of them are covered by the Medicare benefit and consequently are not incorporated... (CNN)
Congress must make urgent Tricare fix (Sgt. Shaft) Nov 28, 2006
Congress must make urgent Tricare fix - Nation/Politics - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper ... Congress must make urgent Tricare fix ... But it could be even more devastating to 9 million military beneficiaries because military Tricare payments are tied to Medicare's. (Washington Times, DC)
