TRICARE is "Hooking Up" Beneficiaries and Providers

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TRICARE is "Hooking Up" Beneficiaries and Providers
March 18, 2008
No. 08-20

FALLS CHURCH, Va. - The Behavioral Health Provider Locator and Appointment
Assistance Service has taken more than 2,300 calls in the U.S. to help
Active Duty Service Members (ADSM) and their families find approved
behavioral health providers in their area.

The service that began three months ago allows ADSMs and their families to
call their managed care support contractor (MCSC) if they are having a
problem locating a network provider. The provider locator and assistance
staff has successfully assisted more than 1,500 beneficiaries that were
eligible for the service by locating and making appointments; often engaging
the beneficiary in a conference call with the provider to ensure scheduling
is satisfactory.

"I'm extremely proud of this service," said Major General Elder Granger,
Deputy Director, TRICARE Management Activity. "TRICARE continues to
recognize needs and to support military families."

Beneficiaries are reminded that the Behavioral Health Provider Locator and
Appointment Assistance Service is not a help line for behavioral health
treatment, counseling, or advice.

For assistance making behavioral health appointments, the toll-free numbers
are: West Region, (866) 651-4970; North Region, (877) 747-9579; and South
Region, (877) 298-3514. Hours vary according to region.

All ADSMs must have a referral from their primary care manager for
behavioral health care before calling the MCSC appointment assistance line.
TRICARE Prime Active Duty family members can receive the first eight
outpatient behavioral health care visits per Fiscal Year (October
1-September 30) without a referral, but they must receive the care from
TRICARE network providers to avoid point-of-service cost sharing charges.

TRICARE Oversees Program beneficiaries can also use the appointment
assistance line when traveling in the U.S.

For more information about TRICARE and the behavioral health appointment
assistance service, visit the mental health and behavior section at
http://www.tricare. mil.

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SOURCE: TRICARE News Release at http://www.tricare. mil

- TRICARE AND MAILING LIST INFO ------------ --------- --------- ---

1. DOD Worldwide TRICARE Information Center (Toll-Free) 1-888-DoD-LIFE (363-5433), 1-877-DoD MEDS (363-6337) or 1-888-DoD-CARE (363-2273). Operating Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (ET) (excluding federal holidays).

2. Want to receive only TRICARE For Life Information? Send a message to TFL-ON@pasba2. amedd.army. mil (message subject and body may be left blank). You also have to send a message to HEALTH-OFF@pasba2. amedd.army. mil to get off this mailing list.

3. To get TRICARE answers, assistance via E-mail, send your message to mailto:QUESTIONS@tma. osd.mil or go online at http://www.tricare. mil/mybenefit/ jsp/questions/ feedback. jsp

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As with previous National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAA), of 2006 and
2007, the 2008 NDAA did not address or correct the following issues--

-375,000 retirees with less than 50% disability denied CRDP
-327,000 retirees age 70 & 30 years still paying SBP premiums
(this provision left to take full effect in 2008)
-188,000 Chapter 61 with less than 20 years denied CRDP
(maybe 1/3 will qualify of CRSC)
- 55,000 widows denied relief from SBP/DIC
(they were allowed $50/month in 2008 phased in to add $10/month
over the next 5 years … the average offset is $800-$900/month)

Visit http://usdr.org
USDR Action Alerts http://capwiz.com/usdr/