Deadline for Tricare open enrollment period nears

Dec. 07--Tricare's first open season enrollment ends Monday,.

Tricare is the health care program for active-duty, reserve and military retirees and their families.

The open season enrollment is one of the changes Congress made in the federal budget through the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2017.

The changes, which included adding a new rate structure, syncs with the health care industry's enrollment for civilians.

Beneficiaries have the option of choosing Tricare Prime or Tricare Select in selecting a plan based on individual or family needs, said Patrick Grady, chief of the Tricare Health Plan for the Department of Defense.

Tricare Prime is the managed care option to see a primary care provider, and referrals are written if the patient needs to see a specialty care provider.

Tricare Select gives beneficiaries the choice of selecting providers they prefer, Grady said.

A lot of patients at Womack Army Medical Center may use Tricare Prime, and Tricare Select could be for those who opt to use civilian providers or hospitals, he said.

Regardless of which option they choose, beneficiaries are encouraged to "take command" of their health care.

"They are asked to make an assessment of their situation and make decisions based on their health needs," Grady said.

Those who don't take action will remain on their Tricare health plan for 2019.

The only exception to making changes is if someone has a qualifying life event, such as a move, birth of a child or death in family.

Coinciding with the health plan open enrollment period is enrollment in the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program that is managed by the Office of Personnel Management.

Free vision care has usually been available only to active-duty personnel, depending on policies set by the military treatment facility.

For the first time, vision insurance will be extended to eligible families enrolled in a Tricare health plan. They can choose one of four providers.

The dental and vision insurance program is replacing the Tricare Retiree Dental Program, after Congress voted two years ago to allow military retiree households access to the same dental plans administered for federal civilian employees.

"You must take action on this to ensure you have dental coverage," Grady said.

Those enrolled in the current Tricare dental program must choose a new plan through the federal dental and vision program before open season closes Monday to have coverage in 2019. Enrollment is not automatic.

Grady said the dental plan allows beneficiaries to explore 10 dental plans.

Service members or family members wanting to update or change their health plan and dental and vision coverage should make sure all of their information is accurate in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. That system is where eligibility is validated, Grady said.

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.

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