Friday, October 4, 2013

TRICARE GOVERMENT SHUTDOWN


TRICARE Statement About Government Shutdown


10/1/2013



On October 1, 2013, the Defense Health Agency issued the following
statement:

"We know that those who rely on the Military Health System (MHS) are
concerned about how the government shutdown might impact their health care.

While we can't predict the exact consequences of a shutdown on every part of
our MHS, we will likely see some impact on the delivery of health care
services within our military hospitals and clinics. Inpatient, acute and
emergency outpatient care in our medical and dental facilities will
continue, as will private sector care under TRICARE. Local hospital and
clinic commanders will need to implement the required adjustments to
available medical services while ensuring that the quality of care and
safety of patients remain intact. Patients should contact their hospital or
clinic to confirm previously scheduled routine appointments. Patients
needing to schedule new routine appointments might experience delays.

For TRICARE beneficiaries using providers in the private sector, little or
no effect is anticipated at this time.

The MHS leadership - comprised of the assistant secretary of defense for
Health Affairs, the director of the Defense Health Agency, and the surgeons
general of the military departments - are closely monitoring the impact of a
government shutdown on the health services provided to our 9.6 million
beneficiaries."

Please also be aware that during the government shutdown, TRICARE will not
be able to process or pay TRICARE travel claims for the TRICARE Prime
<http://tricare.mil/Welcome/Plans/Prime/TravelReimb.aspx>  or the
Combat-Related Specialty Care
<http://tricare.mil/Welcome/SpecialPrograms/CRSCTravelBenefit.aspx>  travel
benefits. You may still file your travel claim. TRICARE will review claims
for eligibility and process them once the government shutdown ends.

If you have questions about your benefits, please contact your regional
contractor (below) or the appropriate contractor (i.e. pharmacy, dental,
etc.). Visit the Contact Us <http://tricare.mil/ContactUs/CallUs.aspx>  page
for a complete list of toll-free numbers.

NORTH REGION - Health Net Federal Services; SOUTH REGION - Humana Military,
a division of Humana Government Business; WEST REGION  - UnitedHealthcare
Military & Veterans; OVERSEAS     - International SOS

North Region

.         Health Net Federal Services

.         www.hnfs.com

.         1-877-TRICARE (1-877-874-2273)

South Region

.         Humana Military, a division of Humana Government Business

.         Humana-Military.com <http://www.humana-military.com>

.         1-800-444-5445

West Region

.         UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans

.         www.uhcmilitarywest.com

.         1-877-988-WEST (1-877-988-9378)

Overseas

.         International SOS

.         www.tricare-overseas.com

.         Country-Specific Toll-Free Numbers
<http://www.tricare-overseas.com/ContactUs/default.htm>





SOURCE:  TRICARE News Release at
http://tricare.mil/Welcome/MediaCenter/News/Archives/10_1_13_Shutdown





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