Top OfFicers Urge Higher TriCare Fees

GovernmentExecutive.com ^ | 3 May 2010 | Otto Kreisher

[Sarajevo]

The leaders of the three naval services on Monday argued for an increase in the fees retired military personnel and their families pay for health care, something Congress has refused to approve for more than a decade.

Adm. Gary Roughead, the chief of naval operations; Gen. James Conway, the Marine Corps commandant; and Adm. Thad Allen, Coast Guard commandant, all complained about the soaring costs of healthcare and said increased contributions by the retirees for their TRICARE coverage is overdue.

Speaking at the Navy League's annual symposium at the National Harbor convention center, Roughead disagreed strongly with the demand by House Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee Chairman Gene Taylor, D-Miss., that the Navy retain its aging Perry-class frigates, which are at or near their expected service life limits.

And Allen, whose service is heavily engaged in fighting the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, rejected criticism that the Defense Department was not doing its part to address the massive environmental crisis.

Responding to a question about the impact of healthcare costs on their increasingly tight financial conditions, all three leaders said that was a growing problem. Roughead noted that on top of the expense for his active-duty force the expense of the half a million retirees "eats into our other programs."

Conway was more direct, saying there has not been an adjustment in the retirees payments for TRICARE in two decades "and that needs to be addressed."

Allen, who is a month from retirement, said he had just signed up for TRICARE Prime, the top-level defense medical coverage, for himself and his wife and paid only $465. "Something needs to be done about that."

Asked whether he would keep the frigates in service past their 30-year service life, Roughead said if the Navy "is not able to remove ships on plan, the only place to look for the money [to maintain them] is procurement."

Keeping old ships "means we don't build anything new," he said.

Taylor has complained that the retirement of existing ships keeps the Navy from increasing its fleet and has demanded that the Navy maintain the frigates.

Allen, in his opening comments, provided an update on the oil spill and warned that the only solution to the massive pollution threat would be to drill a new well to reduce the pressure on the well and then cap it. That would take at least 90 days, he said.

But Allen sharply disputed claims that the military was not helping. He said the Navy's salvage experts were called in immediately after the explosion on the offshore oil rig and other assistance was provided by the military.

[Venturer]

So they want to reduce that cut by nailing the retired military. I get the point, I just dont get their answer to it.

[RFEngineer]

“Cut welfare and other entitlement spending and then come talk to me. Vets come first.”

Sorry, taxpayers come first - it’s their money you are wanting to spend. To the taxpayer, benefits to a welfare recipient, and retirement benefits to an able-bodied veteran are a cost that is difficult to justify, given that we’re broke. It no longer matters what you are “promised” or how entitled you feel.

[RFEngineer]

“Remember when military retirees were promised free health care for life as a guaranteed benefit?”

I remember it when I served. I specifically remember not believing it, too, but I’m uncommonly skeptical, I suppose.

It is difficult for some to make the transition from the military environment where everything is “free” to life in the real world where you gotta pay. Some will not be able to handle it.

[TSgt]

It no longer matters what you are “promised”

Hey Frank, thanks for your service in WWII. That Bataan Death March was a real bitch but RFEngineer believes you've been paid in full. He thinks you should figure out your own healthcare, you are a burden on the taxpayers.

Bataan Death March survivor Frank Laiacona, 86, cries after leading the flag raising ceremony.

[iowamark]

Unstated in this article: how do Tricare costs compare with private insurance companies?

[csmusaret]

As an Army retree I too am very satisfied with the service I get from TriCare. It isn’t free like we were all promised, but it is cheap and effective. As for veterans, I don’t agree that they are necessarily entitled to health care for life. Treatment of service connected disabilities, ailments, and conditions should be paid for by a grateful populace. Serving in the 501st Mess Kit Repair Battalion at FT Riley, KS from 1973-1976, however, should not entitle me to free treatment for lung cancer thirty-five years later. Veterans who are eligibile for VA medical care should be given TriCare membership instead. Close all VA hospitals and clinics and put those dollars into care for TriCare beneficiaries.

[TSgt]

Close all VA hospitals and clinics and put those dollars into care for TriCare beneficiaries.

Agreed!

[csmusaret]

As an Army retree I too am very satisfied with the service I get from TriCare. It isn’t free like we were all promised, but it is cheap and effective. As for veterans, I don’t agree that they are necessarily entitled to health care for life. Treatment of service connected disabilities, ailments, and conditions should be paid for by a grateful populace. Serving in the 501st Mess Kit Repair Battalion at FT Riley, KS from 1973-1976, however, should not entitle me to free treatment for lung cancer thirty-five years later. Veterans who are eligibile for VA medical care should be given TriCare membership instead. Close all VA hospitals and clinics and put those dollars into care for TriCare beneficiaries.

[Travis McGee]

That’s for sure.

[GailA]

VFW May 2010 edition, not on line I copied this from the mag.

Burried on page 333 of a 2,400 page document were four lines of text that only recognized Tricare for Life and veterans’ health care programs under Chapter 17, Title 38 as being accepted as minimum essential coverage under the new law. No specific language to protect other Tricare programs or other Title 38 recipients-dependents, widows or children-could be found.

snip

VFW is now working with members of Congress from both parties to submit amendments or legislation to fix the new national health care law. VFW applauds the corrective actions taken by Skelton as well as those of Reps. Steve Buyers (R-Ind) and Buch McKeon (R-Cal), and Sens. Daniel Akala (D-Hawaii), Richard Burr (R-N.C. and Jim Webb (D-VA).

[GailA]

According to the Navy Times, Army Times they already have ADDED BIG NEW FEES. The fee increases were announced on Sept. 30 and took effect on Oct. 1, but the defense bill, HR 2647, includes a provision barring any fee increases until the start of fiscal 2011. We are talking about $7,000 per couple...not small change.

THIS IS NOT PART OF OBAMACARE but a 2008 DOD BILL!

MILITARY & Retired MILITARY

TRI CARE FOR LIFE This from a google search:
http://economicspolitics.blogspot.com/2009/05/tricare-for-life-is-obama-trying-to.html

Option 96 pg 187

This option would help reduce the costs of TFL, as well as costs for Medicare, by introducing minimum out-of pocket requirements for beneficiaries. Under this option, TFL would not cover any of the first $525 of an enrollee’s cost-sharing liabilities for calendar year 2011 and would limit coverage to 50 percent of the next $4,725 in Medicare cost sharing that the beneficiary incurred. (Because all further cost sharing would be covered by TFL, enrollees could not pay more than $2,888 in cost sharing in that year.) http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/99xx/doc9925/12-18-HealthOptions.pdf

Impact of Medicare Reimbursement Rate Decrease on TRICARE
http://www.tricare.mil

On March 3, Congress passed emergency legislation delaying the 21.2 percent decrease in Medicare reimbursement rates for an additional 30 days. The TRICARE Management Activity greatly appreciates Congress’ swift action as it allowed more time to fully evaluate the impact the decrease in Medicare reimbursement rates will have on the TRICARE program.

Whatever the outcome, TRICARE will take at least 30 days to fully understand the impact on TRICARE and take appropriate action. While federal law requires TRICARE reimbursement rates to be equal to Medicare rates to the extent practical, the law does permit TRICARE to make exceptions to ensure an adequate network of providers or to eliminate a situation of severely impaired access to care.
More information about this legislation and its impact on TRICARE will be posted on the TRICARE.mil website as soon as it becomes available.

Congress plans to block Tricare fee increases (same article both news outlets.)

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/10/military_tricarefees_blocked_100709w

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/10/military_tricarefees_blocked_100709w/

By Rick Maze - Staff writer, Oct 7, 2009
Tricare fee increases imposed last week by the Defense Department will be repealed by a provision of the compromise 2010 defense authorization bill unveiled Wednesday by House and Senate negotiators.

The fee increases were announced on Sept. 30 and took effect on Oct. 1, but the defense bill, HR 2647, includes a provision barring any fee increases until the start of fiscal 2011.

Retired Army Maj. Gen. Bill Matz, president of the National Association for Uniformed Services, said the announcement of fee increases was shocking considering that the Obama administration promised earlier this year to hold off on any new fee Tricare fee increases until fiscal 2011.

“President Obama and DOD assured NAUS and the entire military family earlier this year that there would rightly be no increases in any Tricare fees” in fiscal 2010, Matz said. We took them at their word, and I can’t believe that a co-pay increase like this was allowed to go forward,” he added.

[GailA]

That is what we fear too, since those of us on TFL are also Medicare B. And reimbursement rates are dropping for both, and they are both admined out of the same agency. Our primary care Dr. is retiring rather than work under obamanationcare. Former Military man himself.

[RFEngineer]

“That Bataan Death March was a real bitch but RFEngineer believes you’ve been paid in full”

You are some kinda special. So you are comparing yourself to this guy, an actual hero? I’ll bet this guy wouldn’t whine about co-pays or deductibles.

“b-b-b-but they PROMISED!”

Grow up. You are going to pay more for the healthcare you use. It would be nice if you could get everything for free - and maybe Uncle Obama will fix it for you.

Please just remember to thank the taxpayer every once in a while, ok?

[GailA]

Start contacting your US Senators and Rep. Also add Reps. Buyers and McKeon to your contacting list. I had to sic Sen Bob Corker on TFL to get my Synthroid covered. Side effects from the generic are horrible. But name brand works, and works better than generic. Endocrinologist WON’T prescribe generic for hypo-throidism, because it is hit and miss in effectiveness. Thyroid controls a lot of your endoctrine system.

[Sarajevo]

Remember when military retirees were promised free health care for life as a guaranteed benefit?

For me, that was 1976, when I initially enlisted.

[Sarajevo]

Have you tried finding a primary care provider for Tricare? The closest one we could find is 30 minutes away—and he is considering dropping out.

My PCM is 60 miles away. They don't want to change my PCM to one that is only 30 minutes away.

[Sarajevo]

I know....somebody “promised”.

RFEngineer, you wrote that you have also served. When you joined the military, you signed a binding contract. It wasn't just a promise.

[mbynack]

My wife and daughter are both on Synthroid and have the same problem. The generic dosages aren't consistent and the endocrinologist won't let them take it. My daughter had thyroid cancer and her thyroid was removed, so it's really important for her to have consistent dosages.

[TSgt]

You are some kinda special. So you are comparing yourself to this guy, an actual hero? I’ll bet this guy wouldn’t whine about co-pays or deductibles. “b-b-b-but they PROMISED!” Grow up. You are going to pay more for the healthcare you use. It would be nice if you could get everything for free - and maybe Uncle Obama will fix it for you. Please just remember to thank the taxpayer every once in a while, ok?

I never compared myself to this guy, you did. It's real simple, if you are a RETIRED or DISABLED military veteran you should not have to pay a single cent for healthcare.

I'm fine with prorated coverage for those like me who do not have a full 20 years of service.

Try thinking about the veteran every once in a while.

[verity]

Please read the following for a short tutorial on real life conundrums:

The TRICARE program provides health care for the military’s uniformed personnel and retirees, and for their dependents and survivors—the more than 9 million people eligible to use its integrated system of military health care facilities and providers and regional networks of contracted civilian providers. In 2008, the Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) costs for that medical care were $42 billion, or about 6 percent of DoD’s total funding for that year. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has projected DoD’s future spending on the basis of the information in the most recent Future Years Defense Program (FYDP).1 Those projections indicate that costs for medical care will rise more rapidly than overall resources for defense and require an estimated 13 percent of total defense funding by 2026.2 To accommodate that growth could require reductions in spending for other defense programs, such as the procurement and maintenance of weapon systems.

Alternatively, if policymakers chose to increase DoD’s resources, such boosts in funding might put pressure on other types of federal spending. Thus, many policymakers have expressed the concern that the current TRICARE program will become unaffordable in the future.

http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/102xx/doc10261/TRICARE.pdf