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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
May 15, 2008 - 12:14:09 PM |
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Blackanthem Military News
 FALLS CHURCH, Va.- For beneficiaries, managing their TRICARE health care is only a phone call or mouse click away. TRICARE managed care support contractors (MCSC) are standing by to answer benefit questions and provide health care services and support beyond what's available at military treatment facilities (MTF).
TRICARE partners with civilian managed care support contractors (MCSCs), Health Net Federal Services, Inc., Humana Military Healthcare Services, Inc., TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Corp., and Wisconsin Physicians Service (WPS) to administer the health benefit for more than 9.1 million Service members, retirees and their families.
"Health coverage is one of the most important benefits of military service," said Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, Deputy Director, TRICARE Management Activity. "We work consistently with the MCSCs to help them understand how important their role is to those who serve and have served our nation. They are there to answer questions and provide support. When beneficiaries need help we encourage them to contact the appropriate contractor first-it's the best way to get the right information," Granger said.
Beneficiaries in the continental United States belong to one of three regions-North, South and West-with each region assigned its own MCSC. The regional contractors manage the TRICARE Support Centers, or TSCs, which provide administrative support, such as enrollment, care authorization, and claims processing.
The regional contractors also distribute educational information in print and online to beneficiaries and providers. TRICARE beneficiaries overseas are supported by the TRICARE Overseas Program, administered by Wisconsin Physician Services.
In addition to administrative support, the regional contractors establish targets for the number of physicians required to ensure a sufficient supply of providers to TRICARE patients in civilian provider networks.
"The MCSC system has enabled TRICARE to gain control of quality of care," said Granger. "The contractors provide a tremendous service to our beneficiaries by managing a very large and diverse program."
Regional contractors do not provide retail pharmacy or dental claims processing services. For more information about these TRICARE benefit programs, visit the "My Benefit" portal at www.tricare.mil.
About TRICARE Management Activity and the Military Health System
TRICARE Management Activity, the Defense Department activity that administers the health care plan for the Uniformed Services, retirees and their families, serves more than 9.1 million eligible beneficiaries worldwide in the Military Health System (MHS). The mission of the MHS is to enhance the Department of Defense and national security by providing health support for the full range of military operations. The MHS provides quality medical care through a network of providers, military treatment facilities, medical clinics, and dental clinics worldwide.
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