TRICARE Reserve Select Plays Vital Role in Continuity of Coverage for Reserve Components

Falls Church, VA – New, lower rates will help provide continuity of coverage to Reserve Component members and their families. Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, deputy director of TRICARE Management Activity, and Chief of Army Reserves Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz discussed their thoughts on the evolution of TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) during recent interviews.

Those interview videos are available at http://www.health.mil/mediaroom/default.aspx?id=385&currentPg=1.
 
Gen. Stultz focused first on how reserve component members need continuous coverage throughout their time in the Reserves.
 
“We’ve got to figure out a way to maintain continuity of care so that soldiers and their families stay on one plan.  I don’t think we can put our soldiers and our families through that every four or five years where we’re whip-sawing them back and forth between carriers and programs,” said Gen. Stultz.

“In 2005, we brought on TRICARE Reserve Select. It had three tiers. It was congressionally mandated. But at the same time, a three tiered system was more confusing and complicated than we realized,” said Granger. “Congress then allowed us to adjust to a tier one type system. We got that program started a little over a year ago.” 
 
As of Jan. 1, 2009 TRS rates changed from $81 to $47.51 for single members and for member-and-family coverage they dropped 29 percent, from $253 to $180.17. The number of Selected Reservists purchasing TRS jumped about 16 percent in the first month.
 
“As a family, it’s now $180 a month. That’s a steal,” Stultz said. “What I’ve told the soldiers is that it gives you some flexibility.”
 
For more information about TRS, go to http://www.tricare.mil/trs.

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 9.4 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 http://www.health.mil/.