TRICARE
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The Defense Department has an extra layer of healthcare coverage it doesn't need. DoD's Family Health Plan offers premium health benefits for employees that can't access a TRICARE facility. But the Government Accountability Office says most of the people enrolled in the Family Health Plan have access to a TRICARE facility. Debra Draper is Director of Health Care Issues at GAO. On In Depth with Francis Rose, she explained where the FHP comes from, and why the Pentagon doesn't need it anymore.
August 11, 2014 -
The Defense Department's showing negative side effects from a rough transition to a new healthcare contractor in the western United States. Those side effects are because of a 21-billion dollar contract award to a healthcare administration company new to the TRICARE system. Debra Draper is director of health care issues at the Government Accountability Office. She said on In Depth with Francis Rose that cost overruns and healthcare delays are cropping up because TRICARE management didn't pay close enough attention to the company's transition process.
June 23, 2014 -
The Defense Health Agency is predicting savings of over $2.4 billion in the next five years by reducing duplication between the services, Lt. Gen. Douglas Robb, director of DHA, tells Agency of the Month Host Lauren Larson.
April 23, 2014 -
The Pentagon's current proposals for wringing savings out of its health care system involve additional fees for beneficiaries, but also try to induce them to use less-costly treatment options.
April 03, 2014 -
"For the first time, you have an operational level organization that can directly interface with all the services — get their input, organize themselves, really solicit and collaborate with the services — so we can build a better military health system," Major General Richard Thomas, chief medical officer and director of DHA Healthcare Operations, told Federal News Radio.
April 03, 2014 -
As lawmakers consider efforts to shore up the Postal Service's financial footing, there's still widespread disagreement over whether the current requirement for the agency prefunding requirement is fiscally responsible, as Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas) argued during a House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee hearing Thursday, or an "onerous mandate" only required of the Postal Service, as Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) contended.
March 14, 2014 -
When Robert Gates was secretary of Defense, he tried three years in a row to increase out-of-pocket expenses for TRICARE participants. But Congress voted that down every time.
March 05, 2014 -
Family members of active duty service members and military retirees would see new fees under the Defense Department's proposal to consolidate TRICARE plans, as part of the fiscal 2015 budget request sent to Congress Tuesday.
March 05, 2014 -
TRICARE, the military family health care provider, is set to close 189 of its U.S. customer service centers. Customers will be able to access all of the same services online or by telephone.
January 21, 2014 -
Congress is poised, for the first time since Dwight D. Eisenhower was president, to miss its deadline to pass the one policy bill that's been considered "must-pass" legislation under administrations of both parties. But the measure's only chance of success also torpedoes Pentagon proposals for cutting DoD's internal cost growth. Military personnel would receive a 1 percent pay raise next year.
December 11, 2013 -
Citing unacceptable delays by its contractor, the Pentagon waives the requirement for preauthorization of specialty care for military members, families and retirees in TRICARE's western region.
May 10, 2013 -
It's been two years since the Plain Language Writing Act became law. While agencies are doing a better job, more work needs to be done. A federal expert on plain language is offering agencies the writing tips he employs on a daily basis. At the same time, a new bill in Congress would extend the plain language act to cover federal regulations.
April 17, 2013 -
The Defense Department's 2014 budget proposal reduces the size of the civilian workforce slightly, increases TRICARE premiums, and requests another round of base closures. It also calls for a slight raise for both civilian employees and uniformed servicemembers. The budget significantly exceeds the Defense spending caps in current law.
April 10, 2013 -
On the In Depth show blog, you can listen to the interviews, find more information about the guests on the show each day and links to additional resources.
August 01, 2012 -
Panetta's request is falling on highly skeptical ears. A bipartisan group of two dozen representatives sent Panetta a tough letter.
July 30, 2012