Military Medical Care:
Questions and Answers

Don J. Jansen
Analyst in Defense Health Care Policy
Katherine Blakeley
Analyst in Foreign Affairs
January 7, 2013
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
RL33537
CRS Report for Congress
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epared for Members and Committees of Congress

Military Medical Care: Questions and Answers

Summary
The primary objective of the military health system, which includes the Defense Department’s
hospitals, clinics, and medical personnel, is to maintain the health of military personnel so they
can carry out their military missions and to be prepared to deliver health care during wartime. The
military health system also covers dependents of active duty personnel, military retirees and their
dependents, including some members of the reserve components. The military health system
provides health care services through either Department of Defense (DOD) medical facilities,
known as “military treatment facilities” or “MTFs” as space is available, or through private health
care providers. The military health system currently includes some 56 hospitals and 365 clinics
serving 9.7 million beneficiaries. It operates worldwide and employs some 58,369 civilians and
86,007 military personnel.
Since 1966, civilian care to millions of dependents and retirees (and retirees’ dependents) has
been provided through a program still known in law as the Civilian Health and Medical Program
of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), but more commonly known as TRICARE. TRICARE
has four main benefit plans: a health maintenance organization option (TRICARE Prime), a
preferred provider option (TRICARE Extra), a fee-for-service option (TRICARE Standard), and a
Medicare wrap-around option (TRICARE for Life) for Medicare-eligible retirees. Other
TRICARE plans include TRICARE Young Adult, TRICARE Reserve Select and TRICARE
Retired Reserve. TRICARE also includes a pharmacy program and optional dental plans. Options
available to beneficiaries vary by the beneficiary’s duty status and location.
This report answers several frequently asked questions about military health care, including
• How is the military health system structured?
• What is TRICARE?
• What are the different TRICARE plans and who is eligible?
• What are the costs of military health care to beneficiaries?
• What is the relationship of TRICARE to Medicare?
• How does the Affordable Care Act affect TRICARE?
• What are the long-term trends in defense health care costs?
• What is the Medicare Eligible Retiree Health Care fund, which funds TRICARE
for Life?
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) have
also published important studies on the organization, coordination and costs of the military health
system, as well as its effectiveness addressing particular health challenges. The Office of the
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Home Page, available at http://www.health.mil/,
may also be of interest for additional information on the military health system.

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Military Medical Care: Questions and Answers

Contents
Background ...................................................................................................................................... 1
Questions and Answers .................................................................................................................... 1
1. How is the Military Health System Structured? .................................................................... 1
Administrative Structure ..................................................................................................... 1
Potential Consolidation ....................................................................................................... 3
Medical Personnel and Facilities ......................................................................................... 3
TRICARE Organization ...................................................................................................... 3
2. What is the Unified Medical Budget? ................................................................................... 4
3. What is the Medicare Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund (MERHCF)? ................................ 6
4. What is TRICARE? ............................................................................................................... 6
5. What are the Different TRICARE Plans? .............................................................................. 7
TRICARE Prime ................................................................................................................. 7
TRICARE Standard ............................................................................................................. 7
TRICARE Extra .................................................................................................................. 7
TRICARE Reserve Select ................................................................................................... 8
TRICARE Retired Reserve ................................................................................................. 8
TRICARE Young Adult....................................................................................................... 8
TRICARE for Life .............................................................................................................. 9
6. How Much Does Military Health Care Cost Beneficiaries? ................................................. 9
7. What Is the DOD Pharmacy Benefit? .................................................................................. 13
8. Who Is Eligible to Receive Care? ........................................................................................ 14
9. How Are Priorities for Care in Military Medical Facilities Assigned? ................................ 14
10. What are the Long-Term Trends in Defense Health Costs? .............................................. 15
11. How Does the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Affect TRICARE? ................ 17
12. How Are Private Health Care Providers Paid? .................................................................. 17
13. What Is the Relationship of DOD Health Care to Medicare? ............................................ 18
TRICARE and Medicare Payments to Providers and the Sustainable Growth Rate ......... 18
Medicare and TRICARE for Life ...................................................................................... 19
14. What Medical Benefits are Available to Reservists? ......................................................... 19
15. Have Military Personnel Been Promised Free Medical Care for Life? ............................. 20
16. What is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program? ................................. 20
17. Other Frequently Asked Questions .................................................................................... 22
Does TRICARE Cover Abortion? ..................................................................................... 22
Does DOD Use Animals in Medical Research or Training? ............................................. 22

Figures
Figure 1. Organization of Health Care Services Provided by DOD ................................................ 2
Figure 2. FY2013 Unified Medical Budget Request ($billions) ...................................................... 5
Figure 3. Military Health System Eligible Beneficiaries (millions) .............................................. 14

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Tables
Table 1. Selected TRICARE Fees for Active Duty Personnel,
Eligible Reservists, and Dependents ............................................................................................. 9
Table 2. Selected TRICARE Fees for Retirees Under Age 65 and Their Dependents................... 10
Table 3. Selected TRICARE Fees for Reserve Select and TRICARE Retired Reserve ................ 11
Table 4. Selected TRICARE Fees for TRICARE Young Adult ..................................................... 11
Table 5. TRICARE for Life Fees and Payment Structure .............................................................. 12
Table 6. Appropriation Levels by Fiscal Year(FY) for Selected CDMR Programs,
FY2007–FY2012 ........................................................................................................................ 21

Contacts
Author Contact Information........................................................................................................... 23

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Military Medical Care: Questions and Answers

Background
Since 1966, civilian care to millions of dependents and retirees (and retirees’ dependents) has
been provided through a program still known in law as the Civilian Health and Medical Program
of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), but more commonly known as TRICARE. TRICARE
has four main benefit plans: a health maintenance organization option (TRICARE Prime), a
preferred provider option (TRICARE Extra), a fee-for-service option (TRICARE Standard), and a
Medicare wrap-around option (TRICARE for Life) for Medicare-eligible retirees. Other
TRICARE plans include TRICARE Young Adult, TRICARE Reserve Select and TRICARE
Retired Reserve. TRICARE also includes a pharmacy program and optional dental plans. Options
available to beneficiaries vary by the beneficiary’s duty status and location.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) have
also published important studies on the organization, coordination and costs of the military health
system, as well as its effectiveness addressing particular health challenges. The Office of the
Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Home Page, available at http://www.health.mil/,
may also be of interest for additional information on the military health system.
Questions and Answers
1. How is the Military Health System Structured?
Administrative Structure
The military health system consists of (1) the Defense Health Program (DHP) which is centrally
directed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and executed by the military departments, and
(2) medical resources under the direction of the combatant or support command within the
military departments. For DOD, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (ASD(HA))
controls non-deployable medical resources, facilities and personnel. The ASD(HA) reports to the
Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness who reports to the Deputy Secretary of
Defense. The following all currently report to the ASD/HA:
• Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Clinical and Program Policy
• Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Health Protection and Readiness
• Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Budget and Financial Policy
• Deputy Director TRICARE Management Activity
• Chief Information Officer for Health
• Director, Strategy and Development
• Director, Communication and Media Relations
• Director, Defense Center of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic
Brain Injury
• President, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
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Other elements within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, such as the Office of the Director
for Program Analysis and Evaluation and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense
(Comptroller), are also responsible for various aspects of the military health system.
Figure 1. Organization of Health Care Services Provided by DOD

Source: Adapted from “Treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Military and Veteran Populations:
Initial Assessment.” Institute of Medicine. June 2012. Original information from Glover et al., 2011. “Continuum
of care for post-traumatic stress in the US military enterprise.” Proceedings of the 2011 Society of Health
Systems Conference, Orlando, FL, February 17–19.
Notes: The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs oversees Force Health Protection
and Readiness programs and the purchased portion of TRICARE, and it has an administrative and policy
relationship to the military treatment facilities (MTFs) (as indicated by the dotted line). BUMED = Bureau of
Medicine and Surgery, R&D = Research and Development, USD = Undersecretary of Defense.
Within the services, the Surgeons General of the Army, Navy and Air Force retain considerable
responsibility for managing military medical facilities and personnel. The Joint Staff Surgeon
advises the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The Surgeon General of the Army heads the U.S. Army Medical Command (MEDCOM) which
along with the Office of the Surgeon General itself compose the Army Medical Department
(AMEDD). The Surgeon General of the Army reports directly to the Secretary of the Army.
MEDCOM commands fixed hospitals and other AMEDD commands and agencies. Field medical
units, however, are under the command of the combat commanders.
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The Surgeon General of the Navy reports to the Chief of Naval Operations through the Chief,
Navy Staff and Vice Chief of Naval Operations and heads the Navy Bureau of Medicine and
Surgery (BUMED), the headquarters command for Navy Medicine. All Defense Health Program
resources allocated to the DON are administered by BUMED. Also within the Department of the
Navy, the Medical Officer, U.S. Marine Corps advises the Commandant of the Marine Corps and
Headquarters staff agencies on all matters about health services.
The Surgeon General of the Air Force serves as functional manager of the U.S. Air Force Medical
Service, an element of Headquarters, U.S. Air Force. The Air Force Surgeon General advises the
Secretary of the Air Force and Air Force Chief of Staff.
Potential Consolidation
The Final Report of the Task Force on Future of Military Health Care noted in 2007 that there has
been considerable debate about the appropriate command and control structure for the military
health system.1 The current organizational structure has been observed by some to present an
opportunity to gain efficiencies and save costs by consolidating administrative, management, and
clinical functions. Alternatives to the current structure that have been suggested include a defense
health agency or a unified medical command. Section 716 of the National Defense Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (P.L. 112-81) required the Secretary of Defense to submit to the
congressional defense committees a report on military health system reorganization options.
DOD’s report, submitted March 2, 2012, considered 12 options and recommended Defense
Health Agency with Service Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) (similar to the current system)
reporting that all of the Unified Medical Command options would increase costs. Section 731 of
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, requires the Secretary of Defense to
submit a plan to the armed services committees no later than June 30, 2013, that would address
the governance of the military health system and include goals for improving clinical and
business practices, cost reductions, infrastructure reductions, and personnel reductions, to be
achieved by establishing a Defense Health Agency, carrying out shared services, and modifying
the governance of the National Capital Region.
Medical Personnel and Facilities
The military health system currently includes 56 hospitals and 365 clinics serving 9.7 million
beneficiaries. It operates worldwide and employs some 58,369 civilians and 86,007 military
personnel. Direct care costs include the provision of medical care directly to beneficiaries, the
administrative requirements of a large medical establishment, and maintaining a capability to
provide medical care to combat forces in case of hostilities. Civilian providers under contract to
DOD have constituted a major portion of the defense health effort in recent years.
TRICARE Organization
The TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) listed above supervises and administers the
TRICARE program. TMA is organized into six geographic health service regions:

1 Department of Defense, Task Force on the Future of Military Health Care, December 2007, pp. 113-116.
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• TRICARE North Region covering Connecticut, Delaware, the District of
Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and
portions of Iowa, Missouri, and Tennessee. The TRICARE North regional
contractor is currently Health Net Federal Services.
• TRICARE South Region covering Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and most of Tennessee and
Texas. The TRICARE South regional contractor is currently Humana Military
Health Services.
• TRICARE West Region covering Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii,
Idaho, most of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, most of Missouri, Montana, Nebraska,
Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, portions of Texas,
Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The TRICARE West regional contractor is
TriWest Healthcare Alliance.
• TRICARE Europe Area covering Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
• TRICARE Latin America and Canada Area covering Central and South America,
the Caribbean Basin, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
• TRICARE Pacific Area covering Guam, Japan, Korea, Asia, New Zealand, India
and Western Pacific remote countries.
More information is available at http://www.TRICARE.mil/tma/AboutTMA.aspx.
2. What is the Unified Medical Budget?
ASD(HA) prepares and submits a unified medical budget which includes resources for the
medical activities under his or her control within the DOD. The unified medical budget includes
funding for all fixed medical treatment facilities/activities, including such costs as real property
maintenance, environmental compliance, minor construction and base operations support. Funds
for medical personnel and accrual payments to the Medicare Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund
(MERHCF—see “3. What is the Medicare Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund (MERHCF)?,”
below) are also included. The unified medical budget does not include resources associated with
combat support medical units/activities. In these instances the funding responsibility is assigned
to military service combatant or support commands.
Unified medical budget funding has traditionally been appropriated in several places:
• The defense appropriations bill provides Operation and Maintenance (O&M),
Procurement, and Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E)
funding under the heading “Defense Health Program.”
• Funding for military medical personnel (doctors, corpsmen, and other health care
providers) and TRICARE for Life accrual payments are generally provided in the
defense appropriations bill under the “Military Personnel”(MILPERS) title.
• Funding for medical military construction (MILCON) is generally provided
under the “Department of Defense” title of the military construction and veterans
affairs bill.
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• A standing authorization for transfers from the MERHCF to reimburse
TRICARE for the cost of services provided to Medicare eligible retirees is
provided by 10 U.S.C. 1113.
• Costs of war-related military health care are generally funded through
supplemental appropriations bills.
Other resources are made available to the military health system from third-party collections
authorized by 10 U.S.C.1097b(b) and a number of other reimbursable program and transfer
authorities. The President’s budget typically refers to the unified medical budget request as its
funding request for the military health system but only includes an exhibit for the DHP in the
“Department of Defense—Military” chapter and exhibits for the MERHCF in the “Other
Defense—Civil Programs” chapter of the Appendix volume. Medical MILCON and MILPERS
request levels are generally found in DOD’s budget submissions to Congress.
As illustrated in Figure 2 below, the Obama Administration’s FY2013 unified medical budget
request2 totals $48.7 billion and includes
• $32.5 billion for the Defense Health Program (not including “Wounded, Ill, and
Injured” funding);
• $8.5 billion for military personnel;
• $1.0 billion for medical military construction; and
• $6.7 billion for accrual payments to the MERHCF.
Much more detailed breakouts are available in budget exhibits published by the Department of
Defense at http://www.budget.mil.
Figure 2. FY2013 Unified Medical Budget Request ($billions)

Source: Department of Defense FY2013 Budget Request Overview. Adapted by CRS Graphics.

2 Department of Defense, FY 2013 Budget Request Overview, February 2012, pp. 5-2, Figure 5-1,
http://comptroller.defense.gov/defbudget/fy2013/FY2013_Budget_Request_Overview_Book.pdf
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3. What is the Medicare Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund
(MERHCF)?

The Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001(P.L. 106-398)
directed the establishment of the Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund to pay for
Medicare-eligible retiree health care beginning on October 1, 2002, via a new program called
TRICARE for Life. Prior to this date, care for Medicare-eligible beneficiaries was space-available
care in MTFs. The MERHCF covers Medicare-eligible beneficiaries, regardless of age.
The FY2001 NDAA also established an independent three-member DOD Medicare-Eligible
Retiree Health Care Board of Actuaries appointed by the Secretary of Defense. Accrual deposits
into the Fund are made by the agencies who employ future beneficiaries (DOD and the other
uniformed services including the Public Health Service, the Coast Guard, and the National
Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) based upon estimates of future TRICARE for Life
expenses. Transfers out are made to the Defense Health Program based on estimates of the cost of
care actually provided each year. As of September 30, 2011, the Fund had assets of over $163.6
billion to cover future expenses.3
The Board is required to review the actuarial status of the fund; to report annually to the Secretary
of Defense, and to report to the President and Congress on the status of the fund at least every
four years. The DOD Office of the Actuary provides all technical and administrative support to
the Board. Within DOD, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and
Readiness, through the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (OASD) for Health Affairs
(HA) has as one of its missions operational oversight of the defense health program including
management of the MERHCF. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service provides accounting
and investment services for the fund.
4. What is TRICARE?
The Dependents Medical Care Act of 19564 provided a statutory basis for dependents of active
duty members, retirees, and dependents of retirees to seek care at MTFs. Prior to this time,
authority for such care was fragmented. The 1956 Act allowed DOD to contract for a health
insurance plan for coverage of civilian hospital services for active duty dependents. Due to
growing use of MTFs by eligible civilians and resource constraints, Congress adopted the
Military Medical Benefits Amendments in 19665, which allowed DOD to contract with civilian
health providers to provide non-hospital-based care to eligible dependents and retirees. Since
1966, civilian care to millions of dependents and retirees (and retirees’ dependents) has been
provided through a program still known in law as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the
Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), but since 1994 more commonly known as TRICARE.
TRICARE has four main benefit plans: a health maintenance organization option (TRICARE
Prime), a preferred provider option (TRICARE Extra), a fee-for-service option (TRICARE

3 Department of Defense, Fiscal Year 2011 Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fun Audited Financial Statements,
November 7, 2011, p. 5, http://comptroller.defense.gov/cfs/fy2011/12_Medicare_Eligible_Retiree_Health_Care_Fund/
Fiscal_Year_2011_Medicare_Eligible_Retiree_Health_Care_Fund_Financial_Statements_and_Notes.pdf.
4 P.L. 84-569.
5 P.L 89-614.
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Standard), and a Medicare wrap-around option (TRICARE for Life) for Medicare-eligible
retirees. Other TRICARE plans include TRICARE Young Adult, TRICARE Reserve Select and
TRICARE Retired Reserve. These plans are described below. TRICARE also includes a
Pharmacy program and optional dental plans. Options available to beneficiaries vary by the
beneficiary’s relationship to a sponsor, sponsor’s duty status, and location.
5. What are the Different TRICARE Plans?
TRICARE Prime
TRICARE Prime is a managed care option similar to a health maintenance organization—like
such civilian arrangements, the plan’s features include a primary care manager (either a military
or a civilian health care provider) who oversees care and provides referrals to specialists.
Referrals generally are required for such visits. To participate, beneficiaries must enroll and pay
an annual enrollment fee, which is similar to an annual premium. Eligible beneficiaries may
choose to enroll at any time. Enrollees receive first priority for appointments at military health
care facilities and pay less out of pocket than do beneficiaries who use the other TRICARE plans.
TRICARE Prime does not have an annual deductible.
Active duty servicemembers are required to use TRICARE Prime. They and their family
members, as well as surviving spouses (during the first three years), and surviving dependent
children are exempt from the annual enrollment fee. Retired servicemembers, their families,
surviving spouses (after the first three years), eligible former spouses, and others are required to
pay an annual enrollment fee, which is applied to the annual catastrophic out-of-pocket-limit
.TRICARE Prime annual enrollment fees for military retirees were increased in FY2012 for new
enrollees for the first time since the program began. Moving forward, under 10 U.S.C. 1097(e)
TRICARE Prime enrollment fees will be subject to increases each fiscal year based on the annual
retirement pay cost-of-living adjustment for the calendar year. For FY2013 (October 1, 2012–
September 30, 2013) this enrollment fee is $269.28 for an individual and $538.56 for individual
plus family coverage.
TRICARE Standard
TRICARE Standard is a traditional fee-for-service (FFS) option that does not require
beneficiaries to enroll in order to participate. TRICARE Standard plan allows participants to use
authorized out-of-network civilian providers, but it also requires users to pay higher out-of-pocket
costs, generally 25% of the allowable charge for retirees and 20% for active duty family
members. TRICARE Standard requires an annual deductible of $150/individual or $300/family
for family members of sponsors at E-5 & above and $50/$100 for E-4 & below. Beneficiaries
who use the Standard option must pay any difference between a provider’s billed charges and the
rate of reimbursement allowed under the plan.
TRICARE Extra
TRICARE Extra is also available to TRICARE Standard beneficiaries. It also has no formal
enrollment requirement and mirrors a civilian preferred provider network. Network providers
agree to accept a reduced payment from TRICARE and to file all claims for participants. By
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using network providers under TRICARE Extra, beneficiaries reduce their copayments, in
general, to 20% of the allowable charge for retirees and 15% for active duty family members.
TRICARE Reserve Select
The TRICARE Reserve Select program was authorized by Section 701 of the Ronald W. Reagan
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (P.L. 108-375) which enacted Section
1076d of Title 10, United States Code. TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based health plan
available worldwide for qualified Selected Reserve members of the Ready Reserve and their
families. Servicemembers are not eligible for TRICARE Reserve Select if they are on active duty
orders, covered under the Transitional Assistance Management Program, or eligible for or
enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) or currently covered under
the FEHBP through a family member. TRICARE Reserve Select provides benefits similar to
TRICARE Standard. The government subsidizes the cost of the program with members paying
28% of the cost of the program in the form of premiums. For calendar year 2012, TRICARE
Reserve Select premiums are $54.35 per month for member only coverage, and $192.89 per
month for member and family coverage. For calendar year 2013, premiums are $51.62 per month
for member only coverage, and $195.81 per month for member and family coverage.
TRICARE Retired Reserve
Section 705 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (P.L. 111-84) added a
new Section 1076e to Title 10, United States Code, to authorize a TRICARE coverage option for
so-called “gray area” reservists, those who have retired but are too young to draw retirement pay.
The program established under this authority is known as TRICARE Retired Reserve. Previously,
such individuals were not eligible for any TRICARE coverage. This is a premium-based health
plan that qualified retired members of the National Guard and Reserve under the age of 60 may
purchase for themselves and eligible family members. It is similar to TRICARE Reserve Select,
but differs in that there is no government subsidy as there is with TRICARE Reserve Select. As
such, retired Reserve Component members who elect to purchase TRICARE Retired Reserve
must pay the full cost of the calculated premium plus an additional administrative fee. Retired
Reserve Component personnel who elect to participate in TRICARE Retired Reserve become
eligible for the same TRICARE Standard, TRICARE Extra or TRICARE Prime options as active
component retirees when the servicemember reaches age 60. Calendar year 2012 premiums for
member only coverage are $419.72 per month and member-and-family premiums are $1,024.43
per month. Calendar year 2013 premiums for member only coverage are $402.11 per month and
member-and-family premiums are $969.10 per month.
TRICARE Young Adult
Section 702 of the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 (P.L.
111-383) amended Title 10, United States Code, to add a new Section 1110b, allowing unmarried
children up to age 26, who are not otherwise eligible to enroll in an employer-sponsored plan, to
purchase TRICARE coverage. The option established under this authority is known as “The
TRICARE Young Adult Program.” Unlike insurance coverage mandated by the Patient Protection
and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148) the TRICARE Young Adult Program provides individual
coverage, rather than coverage under a family plan. A separate premium is charged. The law
requires payment of a premium equal to the cost of the coverage as determined by the Secretary
of Defense on an appropriate actuarial basis. For calendar year 2013 the monthly premium for a
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TRICARE Young Adult (TYA) Prime enrollment is $176 and $152 for a TYA Standard
enrollment.
TRICARE for Life
TRICARE for Life was created as “wrap-around” coverage to Medicare-eligible military retirees
by Section 712 of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001
(P.L. 106-398). TRICARE for Life functions as a second payer to Medicare, paying out-of-pocket
costs for medical services covered under Medicare for beneficiaries who are entitled to Medicare
Part A based on age, disability, or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The beneficiaries are also
eligible for medical benefits covered by TRICARE but not by Medicare. Prior to creation of the
TRICARE for Life program, coverage for Medicare-eligible individuals was limited to space
available care in military treatment facilities. In recognition of the requirement to enroll in
Medicare Part B, TRICARE for Life cost-sharing with beneficiaries is limited and there is no
enrollment charge.
In order to participate in TRICARE for Life, these TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries must enroll in
and pay monthly premiums for Medicare Part B. TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries who are
entitled to Medicare Part A based on age, disability, or ESRD, but decline Part B, lose eligibility
for TRICARE benefits.6 In addition, individuals who choose not to enroll in Medicare Part B
upon becoming eligible may elect to do so later during an annual enrollment period; however, the
Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty would apply.
6. How Much Does Military Health Care Cost Beneficiaries?
Active duty servicemembers receive medical care at no cost. Other beneficiaries pay differing
amounts depending on their status, the TRICARE option enrolled in, and where they receive care.
The tables below illustrate the costs to beneficiaries.
Table 1. Selected TRICARE Fees for Active Duty Personnel,
Eligible Reservists, and Dependents

Prime
Extra & Standard
Annual Deductible
None
$150/individual or $300/family for E-5 and above;
$50/ individual or $100/family below E-5
Annual Enrollment Fee
None None
Annual Out-of-Pocket
$1,000/family per
$1,000/family per fiscal year
Limit
fiscal year
in-network (TRICARE
out of network (TRICARE
Fees for Medical Services

Extra)
Standard)
Civilian Outpatient Visit
None
15% of negotiated rate
20% of al owable charge

6 10 U.S.C. §1086(d).
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Prime
Extra & Standard
Emergency Room Visit
None
15% of negotiated rate
20% of al owable charge
Hospitalization
None
Greater of $25 per admission
Greater of $25 per admission
or $17.05/day.
or $17.05/day.
Civilian Inpatient
None
Greater of $25 or $20/day.
Greater of $25 or $20/day.
Behavioral Health
Source: TRICARE website. Beneficiary costs current as of October 1, 2012.
For out-of-pocket limits, please see http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/Costs/HealthPlanCosts
For ful beneficiary cost tables for TRICARE Standard and Extra, please see http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/
home/Costs/HealthPlanCosts/TRICAREStandardExtra?
Table 2. Selected TRICARE Fees for Retirees Under Age 65 and Their Dependents

Prime
Extra & Standard
Annual Deductible
None
$150/individual or $300/family
Annual Enrollment $269.28/individual or
None
Fee
$538.56/family
Annual Out-of-
$3,000/family per fiscal
$3,000/family per fiscal year
Pocket Limit
year
Fees for Medical

in-network (TRICARE
out of network (TRICARE
Services
Extra)
Standard)
Civilian Outpatient $12/visit
20% of negotiated rate
25% of al owable charge
Visit
Emergency Room
$30/visit
20% of negotiated rate
25% of al owable charge
Visit
Hospitalization
Greater of $11/day or
Lesser of $250/day or 25% of
Lesser of $708/day or 25% of
$25
billed charges for institutional
billed charges for institutional
services, plus 20% of
services, plus 25% of
separately billed services
separately billed services
Civilian Inpatient
$40/day, no charge for
20% of total charge plus 20%
High-Volume Hospital: 25% of
Behavioral Health
separately billed
of allowable charge for
hospital-specific per diem
professional services
separately billed professional
services
Low-Volume Hospital: Lesser
of $208 per day or 25% of
billed charges
Source: TRICARE website. Beneficiary costs current as of October 1, 2012.
For out-of-pocket limits, please see http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/Costs/HealthPlanCosts
For full beneficiary cost tables for TRICARE Prime for non-active duty families, please see http://www.tricare.mil/
mybenefit/home/Costs/HealthPlanCosts/TRICAREPrimeOptions/Enrol mentFees? and http://www.tricare.mil/
mybenefit/home/Costs/HealthPlanCosts/TRICAREPrimeOptions/NetworkCopayments?
For ful beneficiary cost tables for TRICARE Standard and Extra, please see http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/
home/Costs/HealthPlanCosts/TRICAREStandardExtra?
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Table 3. Selected TRICARE Fees for Reserve Select and TRICARE Retired Reserve

Reserve Select
Retired Reserve
Annual Deductible
$150/individual or $300/family for E-5
$150/individual or $300/family.
and above; $50/$100 under E-5.
Monthly Premium
$54.35/individual or $192.89/family
$419.72/individual or $1,024.43/family
Annual Out-of-
$1,000/family per fiscal year
$3,000/family per fiscal year
Pocket Limit
Fees for Medical
in-network
out of network
in-network
out of network
Services
Civilian Outpatient
15% of
20% of negotiated
20% of al owable charge
25% of al owable charge
Visit
negotiated rate
rate
Emergency Room
15% of
20% of negotiated
20% of al owable charge
25% of al owable charge
Visit
negotiated rate
rate
Hospitalization
Greater of
Greater of
Lesser of $250/day or
Lesser of $708/day or
$17.05/day or
$17.05/day or $25
25% of billed charges for
25% of billed charges for
$25
institutional services, plus
institutional services, plus
20% of separately billed
25% of separately billed
services
services
Civilian Inpatient
Greater of
Greater of $20/day
20% of total charge plus
High-Volume Hospital:
Behavioral Health
$20/day or $25
or $25
20% of al owable charge
25% of hospital-specific
for separately billed
per diem
professional services
Low-Volume Hospital:
Lesser of $208 per day
or 25% of billed charges
Source: TRICARE website. Beneficiary costs current as of October 1, 2012.
For out-of-pocket limits, please see http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/Costs/HealthPlanCosts
For ful beneficiary cost tables for TRICARE Reserve Select, please see http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/
Costs/HealthPlanCosts/TRICAREReserveSelect?.
For ful beneficiary cost tables for TRICARE Retired Reserve, please see http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/
Costs/HealthPlanCosts/TRICARERetiredReserve?
Table 4. Selected TRICARE Fees for TRICARE Young Adult
Prime

Standard
Children of Active Duty
All Others including Children of Sponsors
Servicemembers and Sponsors
Using TRICARE Retired Reserve


Using TRICARE Reserve Select
Annual
None $150/individual
or $150/individual or $300/family
Deductible
$300/family
Monthly
$201 $176
$176
Premium
Annual Out-of-
$3,000/family
$3,000/family per fiscal year
$3,000/family per fiscal year
Pocket Limit
per fiscal year
Fees for Medical

out of
Services
in-network
network in-network
out
of
network
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Prime

Standard
Children of Active Duty
All Others including Children of Sponsors
Servicemembers and Sponsors
Using TRICARE Retired Reserve


Using TRICARE Reserve Select
Civilian
$12/visit 15%
of
20% of
20% of negotiated
25% of al owable
Outpatient Visit
negotiated
allowable
rate
charge
rate
charge
Emergency
$30/visit 15%
of
20% of
20% of negotiated
25% of al owable
Room Visit
negotiated
allowable
rate
charge
rate
charge
Hospitalization
Greater of
Greater of
Greater of
Lesser of $250/day
Lesser of $708/day
$11/day or $25
$17.05/day
$17.05/day
or 25% of billed
or 25% of billed
or $25
or $25
charges for
charges for
institutional
institutional
services, plus 20%
services, plus 25%
of separately billed
of separately billed
services
services
Civilian
$40/day, no
Greater of
Greater of
20% of total charge
High-Volume
Inpatient
charge for
$20/day or
$20/day or
plus 20% of
Hospital: 25% of
Behavioral
separately billed
$25
$25
allowable charge
hospital-specific
Health
professional
for separately billed per diem
services
professional
services
Low-Volume
Hospital: Lesser of
$208 per day or
25% of billed
charges
Source: TRICARE website. Beneficiary costs current as of October 1, 2012.
For out-of-pocket limits, please see http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/Costs/HealthPlanCosts
For ful beneficiary cost tables for TRICARE Young Adult Prime, please see http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/
home/Costs/HealthPlanCosts/TRICAREYoungAdult/PrimeOption
For ful beneficiary cost tables for TRICARE Young Adult Standard, please see http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/
home/Costs/HealthPlanCosts/TRICAREYoungAdult/StandardOption?
Table 5. TRICARE for Life Fees and Payment Structure
What TRICARE for
Type of Medical Service
What Medicare Pays
Life Pays
What Beneficiary Pays
If covered by TRICARE
Medicare’s authorized
and Medicare
amount
Remainder $0
If covered by Medicare but
Medicare’s authorized
Medicare deductible and
not TRICARE
amount
$0
cost-share
If covered by TRICARE
TRICARE’s authorized
TRICARE deductible and
but not Medicare
$0
amount
cost-share
If not covered by
$0 $0
Ful
amount
TRICARE or Medicare
Source: TRICARE, “TRICARE Choices at a Glance,” May 2012, http://www.humana-military.com/library/pdf/
cost-summary.pdf
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7. What Is the DOD Pharmacy Benefit?
Those with access to military treatment facilities and those who are enrolled in TRICARE Prime
receive prescribed pharmaceuticals free of charge. In accordance with the provisions of the
FY2001 Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 106-398), effective April 1, 2001, retirees have access to
DOD’s National Mail Order Pharmacy and retail pharmacies in addition to pharmacies in military
treatment facilities. Beneficiaries who turned 65 prior to April 1, 2001, qualify for the benefit
whether or not they purchased Medicare Part B; beneficiaries who attain the age of 65 on or after
April 1, 2001, must be enrolled in Medicare Part B to receive the pharmacy benefit. (There are
deductibles for use of non-network pharmacies and co-payments for pharmaceuticals received
from the National Mail Order Pharmacy and from retail pharmacies.)
Military pharmacies do not necessarily carry every pharmaceutical available; thus, even some
with access to military facilities must have certain prescriptions filled in civilian pharmacies; for
these prescriptions beneficiaries can be reimbursed through TRICARE.
In October 1997, DOD implemented the National Mail Order Pharmacy (subsequently known as
the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy) that allows beneficiaries to obtain some pharmaceuticals by
mail with small handling charges. The mail order program is designed to fill long-term
prescriptions to treat conditions such as high blood pressure, asthma, or diabetes; it does not
include medications that require immediate attention such as some antibiotics. Prescriptions filled
by the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy in FY2012 cost $0 for a 90-day supply of a generic
medication, $9 for a 90-day supply of a brand-name formulary medication, and $25 for a 90-day
supply of a non-formulary medication.7
In 2004 DOD, in response to guidance in the FY2000 Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 106-65,
Section 701), established a uniform formulary to discourage use of expensive pharmaceuticals
when others are medically appropriate. Regulations to this effect were published in the Federal
Register on April 1, 2004 (vol. 69, pp. 17035-17052). Section 703 of the FY2008 National
Defense Authorization (P.L. 110-181) made pharmaceuticals purchased by TRICARE
beneficiaries through retail pharmacies subject to federal pricing schedules. Under Section 712 of
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, prescriptions filled by a retail
network pharmacy in FY2013 cost $5 for a 30-day supply of a generic medication, $17 for a 30-
day supply of a brand-name formulary medication, and $44 for a 30-day supply of a non-
formulary medication. For prescriptions filled for a 90-day supply under the TRICARE mail-
order pharmacy program, there will be no copayment for generic drugs, a $13 copayment for
brand name formulary drugs, and $43 for non-formulary drugs.
The Secretary of Defense is authorized to set and adjust copayment requirements for the
pharmacy program under 10 U.S.C. 1074g, however, Section 712 of the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 amended this provision to limit any copayment increases
in fiscal years 2014 to 2022 to the percentage by which retirement pay is increased that year.

7 TRICARE Pharmacy Benefit Handbook, Figure 5.1, p. 22, http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/Download/Forms/
Pharmacy_HBK.pdf
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Military Medical Care: Questions and Answers

8. Who Is Eligible to Receive Care?
Eligibility for TRICARE is determined by the uniformed services and reported to the Defense
Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). All eligible beneficiaries must have their
eligibility status recorded in DEERS.
TRICARE beneficiaries can be divided into two main categories: sponsors and dependents.
Sponsors are usually active duty servicemembers, National Guard/Reserve members or retired
servicemembers. “Sponsor” refers to the person who is serving or who has served on active duty
or in the National Guard or Reserves. “Dependent” is defined at 10 U.S.C. 1072, and includes a
variety of relationships, for example, spouses, children, and certain unremarried former spouses.
Figure 3 illustrates the major categories of eligible beneficiaries.
Figure 3. Military Health System Eligible Beneficiaries (millions)

Source: The President’s Budget for FY2013, Appendix, “Department of Defense–Military Programs,” p. 271.
Adapted by CRS.
9. How Are Priorities for Care in Military Medical
Facilities Assigned?

Active duty personnel, military retirees, and their respective dependents are not afforded equal
access to care in military medical facilities. Active duty personnel receive top priority access and
are “entitled” to health care in a military medical facility (10 U.S.C. 1074).
According to 10 U.S.C. 1076, dependents of active duty personnel are “entitled, upon request, to
medical and dental care” on a space-available basis at a military medical facility. Title 10 U.S.C.
1074 states that “a member or former member of the uniformed services who is entitled to retired
or retainer pay ... may, upon request, be given medical and dental care in any facility of the
uniformed service” on a space-available basis.
This language entitles active duty dependents to medical and dental care subject to space-
available limitations. No such entitlement or “right” is provided to retirees or their dependents.
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Instead, retirees and their dependents may be given medical and dental care, subject to the same
space-available limitations. This language gives active duty personnel and their dependents
priority in receiving medical and dental care at any facility of the uniformed services over
military members entitled to receive retired pay and their dependents. The policy of providing
active duty dependents priority over retirees in the receipt of medical and dental care in any
facility of the uniformed services has existed in law since at least September 2, 1958 (P.L. 85-
861).
Since the establishment of TRICARE and pursuant to the Defense Authorization Act of FY1996
(P.L. 104-106), DOD has established the following basic priorities (with certain special
provisions):
Priority 1: Active-duty servicemembers;
Priority 2: Active-duty family members who are enrolled in TRICARE Prime;
Priority 3: Retirees, their family members and survivors who are enrolled in TRICARE
Prime;
Priority 4: Active-duty family members who are not enrolled in TRICARE Prime;
Priority 5: All other eligible persons.
The priority is given to active duty dependents to help them obtain care easily, and thus make it
possible for active duty members to perform their military service without worrying about health
care for their dependents. This is particularly important for active duty personnel who may be
assigned overseas or aboard ship and separated from their dependents. As retirees are not subject
to such imposed separations, they are considered to be in a better position to see that their
dependents receive care, if care cannot be provided in a military facility. Thus, the role of health
care delivery recognizes the unique needs of the military mission. The role of health care in the
military is qualitatively different, and, therefore, not necessarily comparable to the civilian sector.
The benefits available to servicemembers or retirees, which require comparatively little or no
contributions from the beneficiaries themselves, are considered by some to be a more generous
benefit package than is available to civil servants or to most people in the private sector. Retirees
may also be eligible to receive medical care at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical
facilities.8
10. What are the Long-Term Trends in Defense Health Costs?
Even as the number of active duty personnel in DOD declines over the next few years, costs
associated with the military health system are expected to grow. Total military health system costs
(excluding TRICARE for Life) increased between FY2009 and FY2011 for inpatient and
outpatient services but declined for prescription drugs, due to the FY2008 NDAA requirement
that the TRICARE retail pharmacy program be subject to the same pricing standards as other
federal agencies.

8 See CRS Report RL32975, Veterans’ Medical Care: FY2006 Appropriations, by Sidath Viranga Panangala.
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DOD’s FY2013 appropriations request for the Defense Health Program and the Medical Eligible
Retiree Health Fund is approximately 7.4% of DOD’s total FY2013 appropriations request.9 The
Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that the cost of the military health care system will
grow from $51 billion in FY2013 (higher than DOD’s FY2013 budget request of $47 billion) to
$65 billion by FY2017 and $95 billion by FY2030.10 Over the FYDP period from FY2013–
FY2017, CBO’s projection has average annual growth of 6.0%, compared with 2.6% in DOD’s
projection. Over the entire 2013–2030 period, CBO estimates the real (inflation-adjusted) growth
rates in cost per user in the military health system would average 5.5% per year for
pharmaceuticals, 4.7% for purchased care and contracts, and 3.3% for direct care and
administration. Overall, DOD forecasts expect Defense Health Program costs to increase by 3.4%
in FY2014, 3.35% in FY2015, 3.6% in FY2016 and 3.9% in FY2017, in constant FY2013
dollars.11
This cost growth stems in part from general inflation in the cost of health care, as well as an
increasing percentage of care being provided to retirees and their dependents. DOD estimates that
care provided to retirees and their dependents will make up over 65% of DOD health care costs
by 2015, up from 43% in 1999.12 A recent CBO analysis concludes that this increasing proportion
of retirees participating in TRICARE is driven by “low out-of-pocket expenses for TRICARE
beneficiaries (many of whose copayments, deductibles, and maximum annual out-of-pocket
payments have remained unchanged or have decreased since the mid-1990s), combined with
increased costs of alternative sources of health insurance coverage.”13 In addition, CBO found
that TRICARE beneficiaries use both inpatient and outpatient care at rates significantly higher
than people with other insurance, due to low out-of-pocket costs and other factors.
DOD proposed new fees and cost-sharing increases for retiree TRICARE plans in their FY2013
budget submission. The new fee proposals were generally based on recommendations by the 2007
Task Force on the Future of Military Health Care. This Congressionally-created Task Force found
that, “because costs borne by retirees under age 65 have been fixed in dollar terms since 1996,
when TRICARE was being established, the portion of medical care costs assumed by these
military retirees has declined by a factor of 2-3.”14 Overall, “military health care premiums paid
by individual military retirees under age 65 utilizing DOD’s most popular plan (TRICARE
Prime) have fallen from 11% to 4 %” of total health care costs.15 These proposed cost-sharing

9 Comptroller, Department of Defense. National Defense Budget Estimates for FY2013, March 2012. Table 3-1,
Reconciliation of Authorization, Appropriation, TOA and BA, by Program, by Appropriation. pp. 36-44,
http://comptroller.defense.gov/defbudget/fy2013/FY13_Green_Book.pdf
10 Congressional Budget Office, Long Term Implications of the 2013 Future Years Defense Program, p. 21,
http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/07-11-12-FYDP_forPosting_0.pdf.
11 Comptroller, Department of Defense. National Defense Budget Estimates for FY2013, March 2012. Table 5-5,
Department of Defense Deflators–TOA. p. 60, http://comptroller.defense.gov/defbudget/fy2013/
FY13_Green_Book.pdf
12 Department of Defense, Report of The Tenth Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation: Volume II Deferred
and Noncash Compensation, July 2008, p. 45.
13 Congressional Budget Office, Long Term Implications of the 2013 Future Years Defense Program, p. 21,
http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/07-11-12-FYDP_forPosting_0.pdf. p. 22.
14 Department of Defense, subcommittee of the Defense Health Board, “Report of the Task Force on the Future of
Military Health Care,” December 2007, p. ES10, http://www.dcoe.health.mil/Content/Navigation/Documents/103-06-
2-Home-Task_Force_FINAL_REPORT_122007.pdf
15 Department of Defense, subcommittee of the Defense Health Board, “Report of the Task Force on the Future of
Military Health Care,” December 2007, p. 92, http://www.dcoe.health.mil/Content/Navigation/Documents/103-06-2-
Home-Task_Force_FINAL_REPORT_122007.pdf
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increases and new fees were not adopted by the 112th Congress, however, as discussed in question
7 above, some increases to pharmacy copayments were provided for in the National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 .
11. How Does the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Affect TRICARE?

In general, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)(P.L. 111-148) does not
directly affect TRICARE administration, health care benefits, eligibility, or cost to beneficiaries.16
Section 3110 of the PPACA does open a special Medicare Part B enrollment window to enable
certain individuals to gain coverage under the TRICARE for Life program.17 The PPACA also
waives the Medicare Part B late enrollment penalty during the 12-month special enrollment
period (SEP) for military retirees, their spouses (including widows/widowers), and dependent
children who are otherwise eligible for TRICARE and are entitled to Medicare Part A based on
disability or end-stage renal disease, but have declined Part B. The Secretary of Defense is
required to identify and notify individuals of their eligibility for the SEP; the Secretary of Health
and Human Services (HHS) and the Commissioner for Social Security must support these efforts.
Section 3110 of the PPACA was amended by the Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act of 201018
to clarify that Section 3110 applies to Medicare Part B elections made on or after the date of
enactment of the PPACA, which was on March 23, 2010.
12. How Are Private Health Care Providers Paid?
By law (P.L. 102-396) and Federal Regulation (32 CFR 199.14), health care providers treating
TRICARE patients cannot bill for more than 115% of charges authorized by a DOD fee schedule.
In some geographic areas, providers have been unwilling to accept TRICARE patients because of
the limits on fees that can be charged. DOD has authority to grant exceptions. Statutes (10 U.S.C.
1079) also require that payment levels for health care services provided under TRICARE be
aligned with Medicare’s fee schedule “to the extent practicable.” Over 90% of TRICARE
payment levels are now equivalent to those authorized by Medicare, about 10% are higher, and
steps are being taken to adjust some to Medicare levels.
For institutional providers of outpatient services, TRICARE recently published a final
regulation19 that became effective on May 1, 2009, implementing the TRICARE outpatient
prospective payment system (OPPS). Under 10 U.S.C. 1079(h) and 1079(j)(2), DOD is required
to use Medicare’s reimbursement payment system for hospital outpatient services to the extent
practicable. Under the OPPS, hospital outpatient services are paid on a rate-per-service basis that
varies according to the Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) group to which the services are
assigned. Group services identified by Health Care Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes

16 CRS Report R41198, TRICARE and VA Health Care: Impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
(ACA)
, by Sidath Viranga Panangala and Don J. Jansen.
17 §3110 of PPACA, P.L. 111-148.
18 §201, P.L. 111-309.
19 Department of Defense, “TRICARE: Outpatient Hospital Prospective Payment System (OPPS); Delay of Effective
Date and Additional Opportunity for Public Comment,” 74 Federal Register 6228, February 6, 2009.
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and descriptors within APC groups are the basis for setting payment rates under the hospital
OPPS. To receive TRICARE reimbursement under the OPPS, providers must follow all Medicare
specific coding requirements, except in those instances where the TRICARE Management
Activity (TMA) develops specific APCs for those services that are unique to the TRICARE
beneficiary population. For inpatient services, TMA regularly publishes reimbursement schedules
through the Federal Register.
13. What Is the Relationship of DOD Health Care to Medicare?
TRICARE and Medicare Payments to Providers and the
Sustainable Growth Rate

Under 10 U.S.C. 1079, TRICARE is required to pay healthcare providers “to the extent
practicable in accordance with the same reimbursement rules as apply to payments” under
Medicare. This requirement was added by Section 731 of the National Defense Authorization Act
for Fiscal Year 1996 (P.L. 104-106, February 10, 1996).
The Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) is the statutory method for determining the annual updates to
the Medicare physician fee schedule, created in the Budget Control Act of 1997 (see Section 1848
of the Social Security Act codified at 42 U.S.C. 1395w–4.) Under the SGR formula, if [Medicare]
expenditures over a period are less than the cumulative spending target for the period, the annual
update [to the provider fee schedule] is increased. However, if spending exceeds the cumulative
spending target over a certain period, future updates are reduced to bring spending back in line
with the target.” In other words, if Medicare costs are greater than expected, the provider fees are
reduced to bring overall Medicare expenditures down towards expected levels.
Each year since 2002, the sustainable growth rate (SGR) system, has produced a formula result
(technically referred to as a “conversion factor”) that would reduce reimbursement rates. With the
exception of 2002, when a 4.8% decrease was applied, Congress has persistently declined to
apply the SGR formula-driven reductions to provider fee rates through a series of temporary
postponements known as “doc fixes.”
Most recently, when President Obama signed the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act
of 2012 (P.L. 112-96) on February 22, 2012, the implementation of the SGR formula-driven
reimbursement rates was again delayed until January 1, 2013. Absent legislation, the Medicare
reimbursement rate reduction on January 1, 2013 has been estimated by the Department of Health
and Human Services to be 27.4%.20
Although the law requires TRICARE reimbursement rates to be equal to Medicare rates “to the
extent practicable,” it does permit TRICARE to make exceptions to ensure an adequate network
of providers or to eliminate a situation of severely impaired access to care.

20 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, “Estimated Sustainable Growth Rate and
Conversion Factor, for Medicare Payments to Physicians in 2012,” Table 5, p. 7,
http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/
SustainableGRatesConFact/downloads/sgr2012f.pdf.
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Medicare and TRICARE for Life
Active duty military personnel have been fully covered by Social Security and have paid Social
Security taxes since January 1, 1957. In 1965, Congress created Medicare under Title XVIII of
the Social Security Act to provide health insurance to people age 65 and older, regardless of
income or medical history. Social Security coverage includes eligibility for health care coverage
under Medicare at age 65.
In establishing CHAMPUS in 1966, it was the legislative intent of the Congress that retired
members of the uniformed services and their eligible dependents be provided with medical care
after they retire from the military, usually between their late-30s and mid-40s. However, Congress
did not intend that CHAMPUS should replace Medicare as a supplemental benefit to military
health care. For this reason, retirees became ineligible to receive CHAMPUS benefits when, at
age 65, they become eligible for Medicare.
Many argued that the structure was inherently unfair because retirees lost TRICARE/CHAMPUS
benefits at the stage in life when they were increasingly likely to need them. It was argued that
military personnel had been promised free medical care for life, not just until age 65. After
considerable debate over various options for ensuring medical care to retired beneficiaries,
Congress in the FY2001 Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 106-259) provided that, beginning
October 1, 2001, TRICARE pays out-of-pocket costs for services provided under Medicare for
beneficiaries over age 64 if they are enrolled in Medicare Part B. This benefit is known as
TRICARE for Life (TFL). Disabled persons under 65 who are entitled to Medicare may continue
to receive CHAMPUS benefits as a second payer to Medicare Parts A and B (with some
restrictions).
The requirement for enrollment in Medicare Part B, which had typical premiums of $99.40 per
month in 201221, is a source of concern to some beneficiaries, especially those who did not enroll
in Part B when they became 65 and thus must pay significant penalties. Some argue that this
requirement is unfair since Part B enrollment was not originally a prerequisite for access to any
DOD medical care. On the other hand, waiving the penalty for military retirees could be
considered unfair to other Medicare-users who did not enroll in Part B upon turning 65. The
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (P.L. 108-173), passed in
December 2003, waived penalties for military retirees in certain circumstances during an open
season in 2004.22
14. What Medical Benefits are Available to Reservists?
Reservists and National Guardsmen (members of the “Reserve Component”) who are serving on
active duty have the same medical benefits as regular military personnel. Reserve personnel while
on active duty for training and during weekly or monthly drills also are covered for illnesses
incurred while on training or traveling to or from their duty station. In recent years, especially as
members of the Reserve Component have had a larger role in combat operations overseas,
Congress has broadened the medical benefits for Reservists. Those who have been notified that

21 Department of Health and Human Services, “Medicare Part B premiums for 2012 lower than projected,” press
release, 2011, http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2011pres/10/20111027a.html.
22 See out-of-print CRS Report RS21731, Medicare: Part B Premium Penalty, by Jennifer O’Sullivan, available upon
request.
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they are to be activated are now covered by TRICARE up to 90 days before reporting. Reservists
who have served more than 30 days after having been called up for active duty in a contingency
are eligible for 180 days of TRICARE coverage after the end of their service under the
Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP). In addition, in 2004 Congress authorized
(in P.L. 108-375, Section 701) the TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) program for Reserve
Component members called to active duty, under Title 10, in support of a contingency operation
after September 11, 2001. To be eligible for TRS, reservists must agree to stay in the Reserves for
one or more years and must pay monthly premiums (in 2012, $54.35 for individual coverage,
$192.89 for member and family coverage).
15. Have Military Personnel Been Promised Free Medical Care
for Life?

Some military personnel and former military personnel maintain that they and their dependents
were promised “free medical care for life” at the time of their enlistment. Such promises may
have been made by military recruiters and in recruiting brochures; however, if they were made,
they were not based upon laws or official regulations, which provide only for access to military
medical facilities for non-active-duty personnel if space is available as described above. Space
was not always available and TRICARE options could involve significant costs to beneficiaries.
Rear Admiral Harold M. Koenig, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs,
testified in May 1993: “We have a medical care program for life for our beneficiaries, and it is
pretty well defined in the law. That easily gets interpreted to, or reinterpreted into, free medical
care for the rest of your life. That is a pretty easy transition for people to make in their thinking,
and it is pervasive. We [DOD] spend an incredible amount of effort trying to re-educate people
[that] that is not their benefit.”23
Dr. Stephen C. Joseph, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs in April 1998, however,
argued that because retirees believe they have had a promise of free care, the government did
have an obligation. Joseph did not specify the precise extent of the obligation. The FY1998
Defense Authorization Act (P.L. 105-85) included (in Section 752) a finding that “many retired
military personnel believe that they were promised lifetime health care in exchange for 20 or
more years of service,” and expressed the sense of Congress that “the United States has incurred a
moral obligation to provide health care to members and [retired] members of the Armed
Services.” Further, it is necessary “to provide quality, affordable care to such retirees.”
16. What is the Congressionally Directed Medical
Research Program?

Many different entities within the Department of Defense request appropriations for and are
funded to conduct a wide range of medical research. Over the last 17 years, Congress has
supplemented the DOD appropriations to include additional unrequested funding for specific
medical research funding. In 1992, Congress appropriated $25M for breast cancer research to be

23 U.S. Congress, House of Representatives, Committee on Armed Services, Military Forces and Personnel
Subcommittee, 103rd Congress, 1st session, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994—H.R. 2401 and
Oversight of Previously Authorized Programs
, Hearings, H.A.S.C. No. 103-13, April 27, 28, May 10, 11, and 13, 1993,
p. 505.
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managed by DOD’s U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC). The
following year, Congress appropriated $210M to the DOD for extramural, peer-reviewed breast
cancer research.
Following this, DOD established the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
(CDMRP), within USAMRMC. The program now manages congressionally-directed
appropriations totaling $6 billion through FY2010 for research on breast, prostate, and ovarian
cancers; neurofibromatosis; military health; chronic myelogenous leukemia; tuberous sclerosis
complex; autism; psychological health and traumatic brain injury; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis;
Gulf War Illness; deployment-related health research; and other health concerns.24 This
additional, unrequested funding now appears in the Defense Health Program RDT&E
appropriation. Conference report language usually includes a table instructing the Department of
Defense on how to allocate the additional funding to specific diseases and research areas. This
guidance is not considered to be an earmark because the funding is used for peer-reviewed,
competitively awarded research grants.
Table 6, below, depicts appropriations for selected CDMRP programs.
Table 6. Appropriation Levels by Fiscal Year(FY) for Selected CDMR Programs,
FY2007–FY2012
(in millions of current dollars)

FY 2007a
FY 2008b
FY 2009c
FY2010d
FY2011e
FY2012f
Amyotrophic Lateral
5 0 5 7.5 8 6.4
Sclerosis
Autism
7.5 6.4 8 8
6.4 5.1
Bone
Marrow
Failure
0 0 5 3.75 4 3.2
Breast Cancer/Breast
127.5
138 150 150 150 120
Cancer Research
Genetic Studies of Food
0 0 2.5
1.875
0 0
Allergies
Gulf War Illness
0
10
8
8
8
10
Lung
Cancer
0 0 20 15 12.8
10.2
Multiple
Sclerosis
0 0 5 4.5 4.8
3.8
Neurofibromatosis
10 8 10 13.75
16 0
Ovarian
Cancer
10 10 20 18.75 20 16
Peer-Reviewed
Cancer
0 0 16 15 16 12.8
Peer-Reviewed
Medical 0 0 50 50 50 50
Peer-Reviewed
0 0 51 22.5 24 30
Orthopedic
Post-Traumatic Stress
151 0 0 0 0 0
Disorder (PTSD)

24 Department of Defense, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program: FY 2008 Annual Report, September
30, 2008, pp. 1-2, http://cdmrp.army.mil/annreports/2008annrep/default.htm.
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FY 2007a
FY 2008b
FY 2009c
FY2010d
FY2011e
FY2012f
Prostate
Cancer
80 80 80 80 80 80
Psychological
150 0 165 120 100 135.5
Health/Traumatic Brain
Injury
Spinal Cord Injury
0
0
35
11.25
12
9.6
Tuberous
Sclerosis
0 4 6 6 6.4
5.1
Source: Congressional y Directed Medical Research Program, Annual Reports FY2007–FY2012,
Recommendations accompanying the Defense Appropriations Acts.
Notes:
a. Funds appropriated by P.L. 110-5 (see H.Rept. 109-676 to H.R. 5631, September 25, 2006, pages 248-250),
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CRPT-109hrpt676/pdf/CRPT-109hrpt676.pdf
b. Funds appropriated by P.L. 110-116. See Congressional Record, November 6, 2007, p. H13119.
c. Funds appropriated by Division C of P.L. 110-329. See Congressional Record, September 24, 2008, pp.
H9725–H9726.
d. Funds appropriated by P.L. 111-117. See Congressional Record, December 16, 2009, p. H15319–H15320,
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-2009-12-16/pdf/CREC-2009-12-16-pt1-PgH15007-2.pdf#page=314
e. Funds appropriated by P.L. 112-10. See House Rules Committee’ tables accompanying H.R. 1473, pp. 53-
54, http://rules.house.gov/Media/file/FY11-Defense-Department-Base-tables.pdf
f.
Funds appropriated by P.L. 112-74 (H.R. 2055). See House Rules Committee’s tables accompanying
H.R. 2055, 92A, p. 282, http://rules.house.gov/Media/file/PDF_112_1/legislativetext/H.R.
2055crSOM/psConference%20Div%20A%20-%20SOM%20OCR.pdf
The CDMRP website (http://cdmrp.army.mil/) also provides specific descriptions and funding
histories of the different research programs.
17. Other Frequently Asked Questions
Does TRICARE Cover Abortion?
10 U.S.C. 1093 provides that “Funds available to the Department of Defense may not be used to
perform abortions except where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were
carried to term or in a case in which the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest.”25
Does DOD Use Animals in Medical Research or Training?
Yes. DOD policy is that live animals will not be used for training and education except where,
after exhaustive analysis, no alternatives are available. Currently approved uses include pre-
deployment training for medical personnel and include infant intubation (ferrets); microsurgery
(rodents); and combat trauma training (goats and swine).


25 The clause “or in a case in which the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest” was added by Section 704 of
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013.
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Author Contact Information

Don J. Jansen
Katherine Blakeley
Analyst in Defense Health Care Policy
Analyst in Foreign Affairs
djansen@crs.loc.gov, 7-4769
kblakeley@crs.loc.gov, 7-7314


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