Missionary Renegade: Military Health System in Washington, D.C., United States for Wednesday, 15 November 2017 "Enroll now for 2018 TRICARE coverage"

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Military Health System in Washington, D.C., United States for Wednesday, 15 November 2017 "Enroll now for 2018 TRICARE coverage"

Military Health System in Washington, D.C., United States for Wednesday, 15 November 2017 "Enroll now for 2018 TRICARE coverage"

Enroll now for 2018 TRICARE coverageTRICARE is changing. Are you ready? by: TRICARE.mil Staff
On Jan. 1, 2018, there are a number of changes coming to your TRICARE benefit. This includes a change to the current TRICARE regions. The current three regions (North, South and West) will become two regions (East and West). There will be new regional contractors for the new East and West regions. Humana Military will manage the East and Health Net Federal Services, LLC will manage the West region. In preparation for this change, enrollments in TRICARE health plans will be delayed while beneficiary files are transferred to the incoming regional contractors. The delay period, or an enrollment freeze, will begin on Dec. 1, 2017 and last approximately three weeks, or until the data transfer is complete.
"You’ll still have access to care during the enrollment freeze," said Mark Ellis, senior health program analyst for TRICARE at the Defense Health Agency. "However, if you wish to make changes to your TRICARE coverage, I encourage you to do so as soon as possible."
If you would like to switch to a different TRICARE health plan, or enroll in a plan for the first time, take action before Nov. 20, 2017. You can enroll in certain TRICARE plans online, by phone or by mail. Learn about how to enroll in or purchase a health plan on the TRICARE website.
You don’t have to enroll in TRICARE Select if you’re a TRICARE Standard beneficiary as of Nov. 30, 2017. You’ll be automatically converted to TRICARE SelectStarting on January 1, 2018, TRICARE Select replaces TRICARE Standard and ExtraA fee-for-service option in the United States that allows you to get care from any TRICARE-authorized provider.TRICARE Standard and Extra. TRICARE Select is a self-managed, preferred provider network plan.
TRICARE Select on Jan. 1, 2018, as long as you’re registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and are eligible for TRICARE. Learn more about TRICARE Select, which replaces TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra next year.
Beginning Nov. 20, 2017, you will not be able to use the Beneficiary Web Enrollment (BWE) website to enroll in or disenroll from TRICARE PrimeA managed care option available in Prime Service Areas in the United States; you have an assigned primary care manager who provides most of your care.TRICARE Prime options and select or change primary care managers. Additionally, eligible beneficiaries will not be able to use BWE to enroll in TRICARE Young AdultA premium-based plan for qualified adult children.TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) or TRICARE dental options. While the BWE website is unavailable, regional contractors will accept enrollment applications through other communications channels (for example, phone and mail). Regional contractors will process these applications once the freeze is complete. Visit www.tricare.mil/changes/enroll to find instructions on how to submit TRICARE enrollment forms during the enrollment freeze.
You’ll still have access to care during the enrollment freeze. Save your pharmacy and other health care receipts while your enrollment is pending, so that you can get reimbursed for TRICARE covered expenses once the freeze is complete and your enrollment is processed. If you have a problem accessing care while your enrollment is pending, contact your regional contractor. If you have a problem getting your medications while your enrollment is pending, contact Express Scripts.
This is Your Benefit! Are You Ready?
Take command of your health care and prepare for the upcoming changes to TRICARE:

Update your personal information in DEERS
Make sure you have a current DS Logon
Sign up for eCorrespondence in milConnect
Sign up for TRICARE benefit updates

For more information, visit www.tricare.mil/changes. And follow TRICARE on Facebook and Twitter.
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Second chance to register for webinar on 2018 TRICARE changes

TRICARE is changing. Are you ready? by: TRICARE.mil Staff
If you missed last month’s webinar, “Take Command – The Future of TRICARE,” be sure to register for our Nov. 20 webinar. Learn about upcoming changes to TRICARE and how to take command of your health.
The Military Health System is modernizing TRICARE to better serve you and respond to changes in law and policy. Join us for our next webinar on Monday, Nov. 20, from 1 to 2 p.m. (EDT) to learn how TRICARE is changing in 2018 and how to prepare for these changes.
In this webinar, presenters will discuss key changes to the TRICARE benefit, including:

Reducing Three TRICARE Regions to Two: The current three TRICARE regions in the U.S. (North, South and West) will become two regions (East and West) on Jan. 1, 2018. The North and South regions will combine to form the East region. The West region will remain the same.
Moving to TRICARE SelectStarting on January 1, 2018, TRICARE Select replaces TRICARE Standard and ExtraA fee-for-service option in the United States that allows you to get care from any TRICARE-authorized provider.TRICARE Standard and Extra. TRICARE Select is a self-managed, preferred provider network plan.
TRICARE Select: On Jan. 1, 2018, TRICARE Select will replace TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra, both stateside and overseas.
Enrollment Changes: Enrollments will shift from fiscal year (October – September) to calendar year (January – December). If you currently have TRICARE coverage, you’ll remain enrolled in your respective TRICARE plan in 2018.
Updated Costs: Starting on Jan. 1, 2018, you’ll fall into one of two groups based on when you or your sponsor first joined the military. Each group will have different enrollment fees and out-of-pocket costs.