{ "id": "RL33537", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "number": "RL33537", "active": true, "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "versions": [ { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 426583, "date": "2014-01-02", "retrieved": "2016-04-06T20:48:17.684493", "title": "Military Medical Care: Questions and Answers", "summary": "The primary objective of the military health system, which includes the Defense Department\u2019s 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 \u201cmilitary treatment facilities\u201d or \u201cMTFs\u201d as space is available, or through private health care providers. The military health system serves 9.7 million beneficiaries through care purchased from private providers as well as directly through a system of DOD military treatment facilities that currently includes some 56 hospitals and 365 clinics. It operates worldwide and employs some 58,369 civilians and 86,007 military personnel.\nSince 1966, civilian care to millions of dependents and retirees (and retirees\u2019 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\u2019s duty status and location.\nThis report answers several frequently asked questions about military health care, including\nHow is the military health system structured?\nWhat is TRICARE?\nWhat are the different TRICARE plans and who is eligible?\nWhat are the costs of military health care to beneficiaries?\nWhat is the relationship of TRICARE to Medicare?\nHow does the Affordable Care Act affect TRICARE?\nWhat are the long-term trends in defense health care costs?\nWhat is the Medicare Eligible Retiree Health Care fund, which funds TRICARE for Life?\nThe 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. This report does not address issues specific to battlefield medicine, veterans, or the Veterans Health Administration. Veterans\u2019 health issues are addressed in CRS Report R42747, Health Care for Veterans: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions, by Sidath Viranga Panangala and Erin Bagalman.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL33537", "sha1": "c351b3327964744a18c4dbf1b1bb4a7457ec6741", "filename": "files/20140102_RL33537_c351b3327964744a18c4dbf1b1bb4a7457ec6741.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL33537", "sha1": "8e17fcca87139f53c4186b35294d238ebedfa634", "filename": "files/20140102_RL33537_8e17fcca87139f53c4186b35294d238ebedfa634.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 229, "name": "Military Personnel and Compensation" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4531, "name": "Defense Authorization" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4595, "name": "Health Care for Military Personnel and Veterans" } ] }, { 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