Tricare: Difference between revisions

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'''Tricare''' (styled '''TRICARE'''), formerly known as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), 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.
== TRICARE ==


==History==
[[File:US-TRICARE-Logo.svg|thumb|right|TRICARE logo]]
Tricare was established by the Department of Defense in 1993 to replace the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). The program was intended to reduce the cost of providing health care to military personnel, retirees, and their dependents, while also improving the quality of care.


==Coverage==
'''TRICARE''' is a health care program of the [[United States Department of Defense Military Health System]]. It provides civilian health benefits for U.S. Armed Forces military personnel, military retirees, and their dependents, including some members of the [[Reserve components of the United States Armed Forces|Reserve Component]].
Tricare provides coverage for a wide range of health care services, including hospitalization, outpatient care, prescription drugs, mental health care, preventive services, and more. The specific services covered depend on the plan chosen by the beneficiary.


==Eligibility==
== History ==
Eligibility for Tricare is determined by the Department of Defense and is generally available to active duty military personnel, military retirees, and their dependents. Some members of the Reserve Component may also be eligible for Tricare.
TRICARE was originally known as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) and was established in 1966. The program was rebranded as TRICARE in the 1990s to better reflect its mission of providing comprehensive health care services to military families.


==Plans==
== Structure ==
Tricare offers several different health care plans, each designed to meet the unique needs of its beneficiaries. These include Tricare Prime, Tricare Select, Tricare For Life, Tricare Reserve Select, Tricare Retired Reserve, Tricare Young Adult, and the US Family Health Plan.
TRICARE is managed by the [[Defense Health Agency]] (DHA) and is divided into several regions, each managed by a regional contractor. The program offers several different plans, including TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, and TRICARE for Life, among others.


==See also==
[[File:TRICARE_Stateside_Regions_Map_-_1_Jan_2025.png|thumb|right|TRICARE Stateside Regions Map as of January 2025]]
 
=== TRICARE Prime ===
TRICARE Prime is a managed care option similar to a health maintenance organization (HMO). It requires enrollment and offers the lowest out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries.
 
=== TRICARE Select ===
TRICARE Select is a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan that allows beneficiaries to see any TRICARE-authorized provider without a referral, although seeing network providers results in lower costs.
 
=== TRICARE for Life ===
TRICARE for Life is a Medicare-wraparound coverage available to TRICARE beneficiaries who are enrolled in Medicare Part A and B.
 
== Eligibility ==
Eligibility for TRICARE is determined by the [[Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System]] (DEERS). Active duty service members, retirees, and their families are eligible for TRICARE benefits. Certain members of the [[National Guard of the United States|National Guard]] and [[United States Army Reserve|Reserve]] components are also eligible under specific conditions.
 
== Related pages ==
* [[Military Health System]]
* [[United States Department of Defense]]
* [[United States Department of Defense]]
* [[Military Health System]]
* [[Veterans Health Administration]]
* [[Health care in the United States]]
 
==References==
<references />


==External links==
== References ==
* [https://www.tricare.mil/ Official website]
* "TRICARE." Defense Health Agency. Accessed October 2023. [https://www.tricare.mil/]
* "TRICARE Plans." Military Health System. Accessed October 2023. [https://www.health.mil/]


[[Category:Healthcare in the United States]]
[[Category:Military medicine in the United States]]
[[Category:Military of the United States]]
[[Category:United States Department of Defense]]
[[Category:United States Department of Defense]]
{{stub}}

Revision as of 20:59, 9 February 2025

TRICARE

TRICARE logo

TRICARE is a health care program of the United States Department of Defense Military Health System. It provides civilian health benefits for U.S. Armed Forces military personnel, military retirees, and their dependents, including some members of the Reserve Component.

History

TRICARE was originally known as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) and was established in 1966. The program was rebranded as TRICARE in the 1990s to better reflect its mission of providing comprehensive health care services to military families.

Structure

TRICARE is managed by the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and is divided into several regions, each managed by a regional contractor. The program offers several different plans, including TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Select, and TRICARE for Life, among others.

File:TRICARE Stateside Regions Map - 1 Jan 2025.png
TRICARE Stateside Regions Map as of January 2025

TRICARE Prime

TRICARE Prime is a managed care option similar to a health maintenance organization (HMO). It requires enrollment and offers the lowest out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries.

TRICARE Select

TRICARE Select is a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan that allows beneficiaries to see any TRICARE-authorized provider without a referral, although seeing network providers results in lower costs.

TRICARE for Life

TRICARE for Life is a Medicare-wraparound coverage available to TRICARE beneficiaries who are enrolled in Medicare Part A and B.

Eligibility

Eligibility for TRICARE is determined by the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). Active duty service members, retirees, and their families are eligible for TRICARE benefits. Certain members of the National Guard and Reserve components are also eligible under specific conditions.

Related pages

References

  • "TRICARE." Defense Health Agency. Accessed October 2023. [1]
  • "TRICARE Plans." Military Health System. Accessed October 2023. [2]