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Show 12 Hilltop Times May 9, 1996 TRICARE report card: high marks, but room for improvement by Douglas J. Gilbert American Forces Press Service - WASHINGTON Thousands more than expected have signed up for TRICARE Prime, the top option under DOD's new managed health care program. This comes under the "good news, bad news" category for DOD officials. It was good so many wanted to participate, but it slowed processing procedures. In the first few months of enrollment in the Pacific Northwest's Region 11, the first of 12 TRICARE regions to begin operations, enrollment surpassed what was expected the first year. "That caused some administrative delays that frustrated some enrollees," said Dr. Stephen Joseph, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs. "Then the same thing occurred in Region 6 Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. "These were growing pains," Joseph said. "Once we realized the popularity of TRICARE Prime, we were able to adjust. On a scale of 10, 1 give TRICARE an 8." Of course, Joseph wants and anticipates higher scores as the program develops and expands to all regions, including Europe where a modified version of TRICARE aidand the ed the Bosnia deployment Pacific. DOD began TRICARE to counteract rising health care costs and the impact of base closures and fewer military hospitals. Ac- tive duty members and their families, eligible retirees and their families', and survivors qualify. TRICARE is a managed care health plan formed through a partnership of military medics with civilian contractors. Besides cutting costs, it was designed to improve access to care, quality of care and medical readiness. Three levels of care are now available as enrollment options: Similar to a civilian health maintenance Prime organization that serves as a central source for all health needs. All active duty service members will be enrolled in Prime and receive most of their health care from military medics. Active duty per- -' sonnel and their families enroll at no charge; retirees pay an annual fee of $230 or $460 per family. Extra No enrollment. People using this option can choose any health care provider. If they use an authorized network provider, they receive a 5 percent discount from TRICARE Standard cost shares after paying the annual CHAMPUS deductible. New name for standard CHAM-PUStandard Users pay CHAMPUS deductibles and cost shares and abide by CHAMPUS rules. not be reimbursed by Medicare for care provided the over-6- 5 population. "We've been fighting this battle a long time, and I respect the patience of that' group of people in waiting for congressional action on this. Not allowing them into TRICARE is a big frustration and credibility buster," Joseph said. Both houses currently are considering changing the law, Joseph said. "Until they change the law, we will continue to treat the over-6segment on a space available S. DALE HIBBERT, D.D.S. NOELLE MARTIN, D.M.D. Pediatric Dental Specialists Complimentary Exam For All Children Under 2 Years of Age Dentistry for Children & Teenagers (A active duty family member dental plan) Tri-Ca- Suite 2112 Hill Field Rd. 774-077- 1 Layton, UT 84041 0 Freedom Professional Building ; 5 basis." Unfortunately, space in military medical facilities could become even scarcer. Some members of Congress have assailed peacetime health care, saying the costs could be cut in half if the services treated active duty members only. But Joseph said there's an undeniable link between treating patients of all ages and health conditions, and meeting the health needs of war fighters. "American people demand a very high standard of wartime health care," he said. "They expect us to be there right away and that's the right expectation. But this mili-.tar- y requires a highly skilled and practiced medical force. "We can't recruit and retain good doctors unless we provide them with a good practice, and the research and training opportunities available to them in our major regional medical centers. "We need a broad, robust patient population and health care system that keeps our medics ready for any contingency. TRICARE also ensures availability of health care even when large numbers of service medics deploy. Joseph cited Operation Joint Endeavor as an example. "The majority of American service members in Bosnia deployed from units in Europe," he said. "Two years ago, that would have been a disaster, because we had no system in place to provide health care to family members and service members no deployed. "Because of our success in establishing g agreements under European TRICARE, the deployment and backup health care have been seamless," he said. Resource-sharinimpacts stateside TRICARE, as well, Joseph said. For example, he cited an obstetrics shortage at Fairchild AFB in eastern Washington filled by an Army physician from the western part of the state. Regionalizing military health care greatly enhances availability and accessibility for all eligible beneficiaries, he Joseph said he hopes everyone will see said, and expands the practices of military the benefit of selecting the Prime option. physicians. "In my mind, the greatest reason for en"To survive in the current environment cost for and meet the challenges of future environrolling in Prime is the hospitalization," he said. He compared that ments," Joseph said, "we must be flexible. to $25 or more a day for active duty mem- TRICARE was designed to meet current bers and their families admitted to civilian needs and what we think future needs will hospitals, and up to $330 retirees have to be. As we progress, those needs and the needs of our patients are going to pay under TRICARE and CHAMPUS rules. change." Joseph said he's frustrated, however, by TRICARE, with its inherent cost savCongress' inaction on allowing Medicare-eligibl- e ings and expanded provider base, the asbeneficiaries over the age of 5 to sistant secretary said, provides that enroll Under current law, the military can flexible response. Spun! Corf Finally, there is an effective, - treatment for: al back pain Herniated discs Posterior facet syndrome Sciatic pain Degenerated discs. Low Vertebral Axial Decompression, VAX-for short, is a new form of therapy which in most cases is found to be as or more effective than surgery in Ru pored Due' decompressing the lumbar spine, offering new hope to millions of sufferers. It is computer controlled, and caused the relieves by herniated and bulging discs, as well as problems safely pressure from degeneration of the spine. Developed by Allan Dyer, MD, the former Deputy Minister of Health for Ontario, Canada, VAX-- has proven to be effective in returning 7 out of TO patients back to It is a fraction of the cost of surgery, and it is aimed at work, symptom- - and pain-freonly treating the symptoms. alleviating the problems rather-thaCALL: FOR MORE INFORMA TION ABOUT VAX-D material preuinjl D e. ADVANCED SPINAL INSTITUTE at resource-sharin- g mot: Wa6e &t Tcvi, Buffet Sunday May 12 $7.99 $ll-per-d- 2 newborns added to Hill heirforce S&eciaC! 11:00 a.m.-9:0- 0 p.m. 1 Twelve new faces were added to the "heirforce" in March and April. Capt. Paul and Mary Ann Hanny welcomed a boy March 29. SrA. Scott and Tina Fitzgerald welcomed a boy March 31. SrA. Jason and Laura Emert welcomed a boy April 6. SSgt. Richard and Amber Fry welcomed a boy on April 6. SrA. David and Elizabeth Whitmarsh welcomed a girl on April 12. 1st Lt. Brian and Heather Neal welcomed a boy on April 13. SrA. Monty and Jennifer Morris welcomed a boy on April 16. AlC Sheri and Brady Burton welcomed a girl on April 16. SrA. Mark and Sarah Ciulla welcomed a girl on April 8. SrA. David and Gina Trexler welcomed a girl on April 9. SrA. Brandon and Selene Wright welcomed a girl on April 10. SSgt. Robert and Jessica Jensen welcomed a boy on April 10. Ip) STRAWBERRY m fc PIE HOME fffR av "Sow 877 W. Hillfield Rd. 544-421780 West 5600 South Roy 42 779-177- 0 |