TRICARE: Military Health Care Plan

Posted by Andrew Friesner

February 22, 2008

What is TRICARE?

TRICARE is the health care program serving active duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, retirees, their families, survivors and certain former spouses worldwide. As a major component of the Military Health System, TRICARE brings together the health care resources of the uniformed services and supplements them with networks of civilian health care professionals, institutions, pharmacies and suppliers to provide access to high-quality health care services while maintaining the capability to support military operations.

To be eligible for TRICARE benefits, you must be registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. TRICARE offers several health plan options to meet the needs of it’s beneficiary population. Additionally, TRICARE offers two dental plans and several additional special programs.

Eligibility

TRICARE is available to active duty service members and retirees of the seven uniformed services, their family members, survivors and others who are registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). The uniformed services include the:

U.S. Army
U.S. Air Force
U.S. Navy
U.S. Marine Corps
U.S. Coast Guard
Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service
Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association

TRICARE is also available to members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families. Benefits will vary depending on the sponsor’s military status. The National Guard and Reserves includes:

U.S. Army National Guard
U.S. Army Reserve
U.S. Navy Reserve
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve
Air National Guard
U.S. Air Force Reserve
U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.

You must be registered in DEERS and have a valid uniformed services identification card showing you are eligible for TRICARE

TRICARE Regions

TRICARE is available worldwide and is managed in four separate regions, three in the United States and one overseas region that is divided into three main areas.

The three regions in the United States include:

TRICARE North
TRICARE South
TRICARE West

The overseas region includes:

TRICARE Europe
TRICARE Latin America and Canada
TRICARE Pacific

For more information you can check out their website at http://www.tricare.mil/.

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