TRICARE

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

TRICARE is a health care program of the United States Department of Defense Military Health System. TRICARE provides civilian health benefits for U.S Armed Forces military personnel, military retirees, and their dependents, including some members of the Reserve Component. The TRICARE program was managed by TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) under the authority of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs). TMA was replaced by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) on October 1, 2013.

History[edit | edit source]

TRICARE replaced the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) in 1993. The original idea for a "space-available" health care system for military retirees and their dependents was a compromise solution created in the late 1950s and early 1960s as the military health care system evolved out of the old system of "Station Hospitals".

Coverage[edit | edit source]

TRICARE provides health benefits for active duty military personnel, military retirees, and their dependents, including some members of the Reserve Component. The TRICARE program is managed by the Defense Health Agency (DHA).

Options[edit | edit source]

TRICARE offers several different coverage plans:

  • TRICARE Prime
  • TRICARE Select
  • TRICARE Reserve Select
  • TRICARE Retired Reserve
  • TRICARE Young Adult
  • US Family Health Plan

Eligibility[edit | edit source]

Eligibility for the TRICARE program is determined by the Uniformed Services and is usually based on whether the person is a member of the Armed Forces, a retiree, or a dependent of a member or retiree.

See also[edit | edit source]

TRICARE Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD