TRICARE Implements New Fee Schedule for Panama

Falls Church, VA– A new TRICARE provider fee schedule for medical services and procedures is in effect for Panama. TRICARE officials expect the new fee schedule to better reflect actual medical costs. There are no changes in payments for laboratory, radiology, and pathology services and procedures.
 
            TRICARE Standard deductibles and cost-shares will not change for beneficiaries in Panama under the new fee schedule. Annual out-of-pocket caps for active duty family member costs will remain at $1,000 and $3,000 for retirees and their eligible family members.
 
            The new reimbursement rates, which went into effect Feb. 1, 2009, were implemented as a cost control measure by using a country-specific index factor to account for variations in the cost of living and exchange rates for different countries.

            In November 2008 TRICARE beneficiaries and providers in Panama who filed TRICARE claims during the past two years received letters from TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) notifying them of the fee schedule change.
 
            The new allowable charges and inpatient per diem rates are available on the TRICARE Web site at http://www.tricare.mil/CMAC.

About TRICARE Management Activity and the Military Health System
TRICARE Management Activity, the Defense Department activity that administers the health care plan for the uniformed services, retirees and their families, serves more than 9.2 million eligible beneficiaries worldwide in the Military Health System (MHS). The mission of the MHS is to enhance Department of Defense and national security by providing health support for the full range of military operations. The MHS provides quality medical care through a network of providers, military treatment facilities, medical clinics and dental clinics worldwide.  For more about the MHS go to www.health.mil.