2005 Update on Expanded Health Care Benefits for Reserve Marines

1.  PURPOSE.  TO PROMULGATE UPDATED GUIDANCE,
BASED ON REFS A, B, C, AND D, REGARDING EXPANDED HEALTH CARE
COVERAGE FOR MEMBERS OF THE READY RESERVE AND THEIR FAMILY
MEMBERS.  THIS MARADMIN REPLACES REF E, WHICH IS HEREBY
CANCELLED, AND AUGMENTS INFORMATION IN REF F.
2.  BACKGROUND.  THIS MARADMIN UPDATES PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED
POLICY CONTAINED IN REF E AND ADDS A SECTION ON THE NEW TRICARE
RESERVE SELECT PROGRAM.  THE HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS DISCUSSED
WITHIN THIS MARADMIN APPLY TO THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES OF THE
READY RESERVE: MEMBERS OF SELECTED MARINE CORPS RESERVE (SMCR)
UNITS, INDIVIDUAL MOBILIZATION AUGMENTEE (IMA) DETACHMENTS, AND
THE INDIVIDUAL READY RESERVE (IRR).  THIS COVERAGE DOES NOT
APPLY TO MEMBERS OF THE ACTIVE RESERVE (AR) PROGRAM.
3.  DESCRIPTION OF HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO RESERVE
MARINES AND CORRESPONDING MARINE CORPS POLICY.  THIS PARAGRAPH
CONTAINS COMPREHENSIVE GUIDANCE ON THE FOLLOWING RESERVE HEALTH
CARE PROGRAMS:
 - NO COST MEDICAL OR DENTAL SCREENING.
 - EARLY ELIGIBILITY FOR TRICARE COVERAGE.
 - 180-DAY TAMP COVERAGE.
 - THE TRICARE RESERVE SELECT (TRS) PROGRAM.
A. NO COST MEDICAL OR DENTAL SCREENING OR CARE FOR MEMBERS OF
THE READY RESERVE.  MEMBERS ARE AUTHORIZED, WHILE IN MILITARY
DUTY STATUS, TO BE PROVIDED ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL SCREENING OR
CARE THAT IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE MEMBER MEETS THE APPLICABLE
MEDICAL AND DENTAL STANDARDS FOR DEPLOYMENT.
THIS HEALTH CARE COVERAGE HAS NO ASSOCIATION WITH THE TRICARE
PROGRAM; IS ONLY AVAILABLE AT MILITARY TREATMENT FACILITIES;
AND SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH HEALTH CARE COVERAGE AUTHORIZED
BY PARAGRAPH 3B BELOW.
(1) NOTIFICATION.  NOTIFICATION IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT.
MEMBERS OF THE READY RESERVE WHO ARE NOTIFIED THEY WILL BE
ISSUED ACTIVATION OR ADSW-CO ORDERS FOR A PERIOD OF MORE THAN
30 DAYS, WILL ALSO IMMEDIATELY BE INFORMED BY THEIR COMMAND
(MOBCOM FOR MEMBERS OF THE IRR), OF THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR NO
COST MEDICAL OR DENTAL SCREENING.  NOTIFICATION MAY BE VERBAL
OR WRITTEN AND CANNOT TAKE PLACE PRIOR TO THE RELEASE OF EITHER
A COMMARFOR REPORT FOR PLANNING GUIDANCE MESSAGE, CMC ACTIVATION
MESSAGE, MAILGRAM, OR SET OF ACTIVATION ORDERS.
(2) ELIGIBLITY CRITERIA.  MEMBERS BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR THIS CARE
WHEN:
(A) THE MEMBER IS NOTIFIED THAT HE OR SHE WILL BE ACTIVATED
IN SUPPORT OF A CONTINGENCY OPERATION; AND
(B) THE PERIOD OF ACTIVATION WILL BE FOR A PERIOD OF MORE
THAN 30 DAYS.
(3) COMMAND GUIDANCE.  MEMBERS WILL ONLY SEEK THIS CARE BASED
ON GUIDANCE PROVIDED BY MARFORRES.
B.  EARLY ELIGIBILITY DATE FOR TRICARE BENEFITS FOR ACTIVATING
MEMBERS OF THE READY RESERVE AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.  NORMALLY,
MEMBERS OF THE READY RESERVE ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR TRICARE COVERAGE
UNTIL THEY ARE ON ACTIVE DUTY.  HOWEVER, REFS A AND C AUTHORIZE
TRICARE COVERAGE FOR MEMBERS OF THE READY RESERVE AND THEIR
FAMILY MEMBERS STARTING AS EARLY AS 90 DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEMBER'S
ACTIVATION DATE.
(1) NOTIFICATION.  NOTIFICATION IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT.
MEMBERS OF THE READY RESERVE WHO ARE NOTIFIED OF THEIR UPCOMING
ACTIVATION FOR A PERIOD OF MORE THAN 30 DAYS, WILL ALSO
IMMEDIATELY BE INFORMED BY THEIR COMMAND (MOBCOM FOR MEMBERS OF
THE IRR AND IMA DETS), OF THEIR EARLY ELIGIBILITY FOR TRICARE
BENEFITS.  NOTIFICATION MAY BE VERBAL OR WRITTEN AND CANNOT TAKE
PLACE PRIOR TO THE RELEASE OF EITHER A COMMARFOR REPORT FOR
PLANNING GUIDANCE MESSAGE, CMC ACTIVATION MESSAGE, MAILGRAM,
OR SET OF ACTIVATION OR ADSW-CO ORDERS.
(2) TRICARE COVERAGE.  
(A) RESERVE MARINES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR TRICARE PRIME OR TRICARE
PRIME REMOTE.
(B) FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR TRICARE PRIME (IF IN A PRIME
AREA), OR TRICARE PRIME REMOTE FOR ACTIVE DUTY FAMILY MEMBERS
(TPRADFM) (IF NOT IN A PRIME AREA).  FAMILY MEMBERS WHO CHOOSE
NOT TO ENROLL IN TRICARE PRIME OR TPRADFM MAY USE TRICARE EXTRA
OR TRICARE STANDARD THROUGH PARTICIPATING TRICARE NETWORK PROVIDERS,
AND ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE NATIONWIDE TRICARE RESERVE FAMILY MEMBER
DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.  SEE PARAGRAPH 5A FOR SOURCES OF INFORMATION
ON TRICARE COVERAGE AND PROGRAMS.
(C) ENROLLMENT FORMS FOR TRICARE PRIME OR TRICARE PRIME REMOTE CAN
BE DOWNLOADED ON-LINE OR AT THE NEAREST TRICARE SERVICE CENTER.
SEE PARAGRAPH 5A FOR INFORMATION ON TRICARE SERVICE CENTERS AND
INSTRUCTIONS FOR DOWNLOADING ON-LINE ENROLLMENT FORMS.
(3) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.  RESERVE MARINES AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS
ARE ELIGIBLE FOR TRICARE COVERAGE WHEN:
(A) THE MEMBER IS NOTIFIED THAT HE OR SHE WILL BE ISSUED
ACTIVATION OR ADSW-CO ORDERS IN SUPPORT OF A CONTINGENCY
OPERATION; AND
(B) THE PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY WILL BE FOR MORE THAN 30 DAYS.
(4) COMMENCEMENT OF TRICARE COVERAGE.  MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILY
MEMBERS BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR TRICARE COVERAGE NO EARLIER THAN 90
DAYS PRIOR TO THE MEMBER'S ACTIVATION DATE.
(A) EXAMPLE#1, CMC ACTIVATION MSG DIRECTS THE ACTIVATION OF 1ST
BATTALION, 25TH MARINES (1/25) ON 1 AUG 2004.  THE MSG IS DATED
1 APR 2004.  THE MEMBERS OF 1/25 ARE NOTIFIED BY THEIR CHAIN OF
COMMAND ON 2 APR 2004 OF THEIR UPCOMING ACTIVATION.  MEMBERS OF
1/25 AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR TRICARE
COVERAGE UNTIL 3 MAY 2004.
(B) EXAMPLE#2, CMC ACTIVATION MSG DIRECTS THE ACTIVATION OF
1/25 ON 1 MAY 2004.  THE MSG IS DATED 1 APR 2004.  THE MEMBERS
OF 1/25 ARE NOTIFIED BY THEIR CHAIN OF COMMAND ON 2 APR 2004 OF
THEIR UPCOMING ACTIVATION.  MEMBERS OF 1/25 AND THEIR FAMILY
MEMBERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR TRICARE COVERAGE ON 2 APR 2004.
(5) ENROLLMENT IN DEERS.
(A) RESERVE MARINES MUST ENROLL THEMSELVES IN DEERS AT A
DEERS-RAPIDS SITE OR THROUGH THEIR UNIT DEERS REP TO RECEIVE
TRICARE COVERAGE UNDER THIS ENTITLEMENT.  WHILE ENROLLING,
THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR FAMILY MEMBER INFORMATION IS
ENTERED INTO, OR UPDATED IN, THE DEERS SYSTEM.  SEE PARAGRAPH
5 FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO LOCATE THE NEAREST DEERS-RAPIDS SITE.
(B) FAMILY MEMBERS WHOSE INFORMATION IS ALREADY IN DEERS WILL
AUTOMATICALLY BE ENROLLED IN DEERS, ASSUMING THEIR SPONSOR ENTERED
THEIR INFORMATION PER PARGRAPH 3(B)(4)(A) ABOVE, ONCE THE MCTFS
ENTRIES IN PARAGRAPH 3B(5) BELOW ARE RUN.
(C) VERIFICATION OF DEERS ENROLLMENT.  RESERVE MARINES AND THEIR
FAMILY MEMBERS MAY VERIFY THEIR ENROLLMENT IN DEERS BY CONTACTING
THE DEERS SUPPORT OFFICE AT 1-800-538-9552.
(6) MCTFS REPORTING.  SMCR UNITS AND MOBCOM (FOR MEMBERS OF THE
IRR AND IMA DETS) MUST REPORT THE APPROPRIATE TTC CODES FOR EACH
ELIGIBLE MEMBER, PER PARA 110409 OF THE 30NOV04 UPDATE TO THE
MCTFSPRIUM.  RESERVE MARINES WHO BELIEVE THAT THEIR ELIGIBLITY
INFORMATION IN MCTFS OR DEERS IS INCORRECT SHOULD NOTIFY THE
ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION AT THEIR UNIT.  THE UNIT SHALL MAKE THE
APPROPRIATE ELIGIBILITY MODIFICATIONS TO MCTFS.  CHANGES THAT
ARE REPORTED BY THE UNIT WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY PROCESSED INTO, OR
REMOVED FROM DEERS WITHIN 24 HOURS.  IF NECESSARY, THE UNIT MAY
CONTACT THE DMDC MARINE CORPS LIAISON.  POC IS SSGT CRUZ, AT COMM
831-583-2400, EXT 4224.
(7) LOSS OF ELIGIBILITY.  MEMBERS NOTIFIED OF THEIR IMPENDING
ACTIVATION ARE URGED TO CONTINUE THEIR EXISTING (CIVILIAN)
HEALTH AND DENTAL SERVICE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS
UNTIL THEY HAVE COMPLETED THEIR 31ST DAY OF ACTIVE DUTY.  THIS
PROTECTS THEM AGAINST THE LOSS OF HEALTH CARE COVERAGE IF THEY
LOSE THEIR TRICARE ELIGIBLITY.  LOSS OF TRICARE ELIGIBILITY OCCURS
IF A MEMBER IS FOUND NOT MEDICALLY QUALIFIED FOR ACTIVATION BEFORE
THE 31ST DAY OF ACTIVATION.
(8) RETROACTIVE BENEFITS.  MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE
UNSURE WHETHER THEY MEET THE ELIGILBITY CRITERIA FOR THIS
ENTITLEMENT ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO SAVE THEIR HEALTH CARE
RELATED RECEIPTS, CLAIMS, AND EXPLANATION OF BENEFIT FORMS.
THIS IS NECESSARY IN THE EVENT THAT THE MEMBER IS DETERMINED TO BE
ELIGIBLE FOR RETROACTIVE REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE.
(9) DURATION OF BENEFIT.  ORIGINALLY, THE LAW AUTHORIZING THIS
BENEFIT WAS SET TO EXPIRE ON 31 DEC 2004.  HOWEVER, PER REF C,
THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN MADE PERMANENT.  HENCEFORTH, ANY RESERVE
MARINE WHO IS NOTIFIED THEY WILL BE ISSUED ACTIVATION OR ADSW-CO
ORDERS IN SUPPORT OF A CONTIGENCY OPERATION IS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS
BENEFIT.   
C.  EXTENSION OF TRANSITIONAL HEALTH CARE BENEFITS.  SECTION 704
OF REF A EXTENDS THE PERIOD OF TRICARE COVERAGE OFFERED UNDER THE
TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (TAMP).  NORMALLY,
TRANSITIONAL HEALTH CARE COVERAGE IS LIMITED TO 60 OR 120 DAYS
DEPENDING ON THE MEMBER'S YEARS OF CUMULATIVE ACTIVE SERVICE.
HOWEVER UNDER SECTION 704 OF REF A, THE PERIOD OF COVERAGE HAS
BEEN INCREASED TO 180 DAYS FOR MEMBERS OF THE READY RESERVE ISSUED
ACTIVATION OR ADSW-CO ORDERS IN SUPPORT OF A CONTINGENCY OPERATION
FOR A PERIOD OF MORE THAN 30 DAYS.  THE PERIOD OF COVERAGE BEGINS
ON THE MEMBER'S DEACTIVATION DATE.
(1) TYPE OF TRICARE COVERAGE AVAILABLE.
(A) RESERVE MARINES AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR
TRICARE PRIME (IF RESIDING IN A PRIME AREA), TRICARE EXTRA,
OR TRICARE STANDARD; AND FOR THE NATIONWIDE TRICARE RESERVE FAMILY
MEMBER DEMONSTRATION PROJECT.
(B) RESERVE MARINES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR TRICARE PRIME REMOTE.
RESERVE FAMILY MEMBERS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR TRICARE PRIME REMOTE
FOR ACTIVE DUTY FAMILY MEMBERS.  THIS IS BECAUSE THESE TWO
PROGRAMS ARE BY LAW LIMITED TO SERVICE MEMBERS WHO ARE ON ACTIVE
DUTY.  
(2) RESERVE MARINES AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR EXTENDED
TRANSITIONAL HEALTH CARE COVERAGE WHEN:
(A) THE MEMBER SERVED ON ACTIVE DUTY (VIA ACTIVATION OR ADSW-CO
ORDERS) IN SUPPORT OF A CONTINGENCY OPERATION FOR MORE THAN 30
DAYS; AND
(B) THE MEMBER IS DEACTIVATED ON OR AFTER 6 NOV 2003.
(C) ENROLLMENT IN DEERS.  ACTIVATED RESERVE MARINES SHOULD KEEP
IN MIND THAT UPON THEIR DEACTIVATION (THEIR LAST DAY OF ACTIVE
DUTY) THEY WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY DISENROLLED FROM DEERS.  TO BE
ELIGIBLE FOR TRANSITIONAL HEALTH CARE BENEFITS, DEACTIVATED
RESERVE MARINES MUST REENROLL TO RECEIVE THESE BENEFITS.
REENROLLMENT CAN BE DONE AT A DEERS-RAPIDS SITE.  MEMBERS SHOULD
BE SURE TO MENTION THAT THEY ARE REENROLLING FOR THE PURPOSE OF
RECEIVING TRANSITIONAL HEALTH CARE BENEFITS.  SEE PARAGRAPH 5 FOR
INFORMATION ON HOW TO LOCATE THE NEAREST DEERS-RAPIDS SITE.
(3) DURATION OF BENEFIT.  ORIGINALLY, THE LAW AUTHORIZING THIS
BENEFIT WAS SET TO EXPIRE ON 31 DEC 2004.  HOWEVER, PER REF C,
THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN MADE PERMANENT.  HENCEFORTH, ANY RESERVE
MARINE WHO SERVED ON ACTIVATION OR ADSW-CO ORDERS IN SUPPORT OF
A CONTIGENCY OPERATION IS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS BENEFIT.
D.  THE TRICARE RESERVE SELECT PROGRAM (TRS).  SECTION 701 OF
REF C CREATED A NEW TRICARE HEALTH PLAN THAT ALLOWS RESERVE
COMPONENT MEMBERS, ISSUED ACTIVATION OR ADSW-CO ORDERS IN SUPPORT
OF A CONTINGENCY OPERATION, THE OPTION TO PURCHASE TRICARE HEALTH
COVERAGE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.
(1) TRS START DATE.  THE TRS PROGRAM BEGINS ON 26 APRIL 2005.
NO BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE UNTIL THIS DATE.
(2) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.  ALL MEMBERS OF THE SMCR, IMA,
AND IRR WHO MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA ARE ELIGIBLE FOR TRS:
(A) SERVE ON CONTINUOUS ACTIVE DUTY FOR 90 DAYS OR MORE, ON OR
AFTER 11 SEP 2001, IN SUPPORT OF A CONTINGENCY OPERATION, OR;
(B) ARE ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY FOR 30 DAYS OR MORE IN THE ABOVE
CATEGORY BUT WHO SERVE LESS THAN 90 CONTINUOUS DAYS BECAUSE OF
AN INJURY, ILLNESS, OR DISEASE INCURRED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.
(C) BEFORE THE END OF A MEMBER'S ACTIVATION OR ADSW-CO ORDERS,
ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT TO SERVE IN THE SELRES.  EXCEPTION:
MEMBERS WHOSE ORDERS END PRIOR TO 26 APRIL 2005 HAVE UNTIL 28
OCT 2005 TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT.
(D) DURING A RESERVE MARINE'S TAMP PERIOD, JOIN AN SMCR UNIT
OR IMA DET (IF NOT ALREADY A MEMBER OF ONE).  A RESERVE MARINE
MUST BE A MEMBER OF A SMCR UNIT OR IMA DET BY THE LAST DAY OF
TAMP OR THEY LOSE THEIR TRS ELIGIBLITY.
(3) TYPE OF COVERAGE AVAILABLE.  TRS COVERAGE IS SIMILAR TO
TRICARE STANDARD.  RESERVE MARINES WHO ENROLL IN TRS CAN OPT FOR
SELF-ONLY COVERAGE OR SELF AND FAMILY MEMBER COVERAGE.
(4) LENGTH OF COVERAGE.
(A) A MEMBER IS ELIGIBLE FOR ONE YEAR OF TRS COVERAGE FOR EVERY
90 DAYS OF CONTINUOUS ACTIVE DUTY PERFORMED.  FOR EXAMPLE, A
MEMBER WHO SERVES ON ADSW-CO ORDERS FOR ONE YEAR IS ELIGIBLE
FOR FOUR YEARS OF TRS COVERAGE.
(B) PARTIAL PERIODS OF LESS THAN 90 DAYS DO NOT INCREASE COVERAGE
ELIGIBILITY.  FOR EXAMPLE, A MEMBER WHO SERVES ON ACTIVATION
ORDERS FOR 120 DAYS ONLY RATES ONE YEAR OF COVERAGE.  EXCEPTION:
MEMBERS WHO SERVE LESS THAN 90 DAYS DUE TO AN INJURY, ILLNESS,
OR DISEASE INCURRED IN THE LINE OF DUTY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ONE YEAR
OF TRS COVERAGE.
(C) THERE IS NO LIMIT TO THE AMOUNT OF COVERAGE A MEMBER CAN BE
ELIGIBLE FOR AS LONG AS THEIR PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY IS CONTINUOUS
(MEANING WITHOUT A BREAK IN SERVICE).  FOR EXAMPLE, A MEMBER WHO
SERVES ON ACTIVE DUTY CONTINUOUSLY FOR FOUR YEARS (TWO YEARS ON
ACTIVATION ORDERS AND TWO YEARS ON ADSW-CO ORDERS) RATES 16
YEARS OF TRS COVERAGE.  HOWEVER, IF THERE IS A 1-DAY (OR LONGER)
BREAK BETWEEN PERIODS OF ACTIVE DUTY, COVERAGE ACCRUAL STOPS AND
THE MEMBER CAN ONLY CHOOSE ONE PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY TO QUALIFY
FOR TRS.  FOR EXAMPLE, A MEMBER WHO SERVES ON ACTIVATION ORDERS
FOR ONE YEAR, HAS A ONE YEAR BREAK, AND THEN SERVES TWO CONTINUOUS
YEARS ON ADSW-CO ORDERS CAN ONLY CHOOSE ONE OF THOSE PERIODS OF
ACTIVE DUTY TO DETERMINE COVERAGE LENGTH.  AT MOST, IN THIS
EXAMPLE, THE MEMBER IS ELIGIBLE FOR EIGHT YEARS OF TRS, NOT
TWELVE.  
(D) TRS ELIGIBILITY IS CONCURRENT WITH SUBSEQUENT PERIODS OF
ACTIVE DUTY.  FOR EXAMPLE, A RESERVE MARINE WHO SERVES ON
ACTIVATION ORDERS FOR ONE YEAR, HAS 180-DAYS OF TAMP, AND A
SIX-MONTH BREAK IN SERVICE DURING WHICH HE HAS TRS COVERAGE,
AND THEN IS ISSUED ACTIVATION ORDERS FOR ANOTHER ONE YEAR PERIOD
CONTINUES TO USE UP HIS TRS ELIGIBLITY DURING THAT SECOND PERIOD
OF ACTIVATION, EVEN THOUGH HE IS NO LONGER RECEIVING TRS COVERAGE
(NOTE: RESERVE MARINES ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PAY FOR TRS IF THEY
ARE ISSUED ACTIVE DUTY ORDERS). AT THE END OF THAT SECOND PERIOD
(INCLUDING THE SECOND 180-DAY TAMP PERIOD) THAT MEMBER ONLY HAS
TWO YEARS OF TRS ELIGIBLITY LEFT.  HOWEVER, THE MEMBER CAN UTILIZE
HIS SECOND PERIOD OF ACTIVATION ORDERS TO QUALIFY FOR FOUR MORE
YEARS OF TRS COVERAGE IF HE OR SHE ENTERS INTO A NEW AGREEMENT
TO SERVE IN THE SELRES.
(5) COST.  RESERVE MARINES WHO PURCHASE TRS COVERAGE MUST PAY
A MONTHLY PREMIUM.
(A) SELF-ONLY COVERAGE IS $75 A MONTH.
(B) SELF AND FAMILY MEMBER COVERAGE IS $233 A MONTH.
(C) ACTIVE DUTY FAMILY MEMBER DEDUCTIBLES AND COST SHARES ALSO
APPLY TO TRS.
(6) TRS BENEFITS BEGIN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF A
MEMBER'S TAMP BENEFITS, IN OTHER WORDS, 180 DAYS AFTER A RESERVE
MARINE'S ACTIVATION OR ADSW-CO ORDERS END.
(7) ENROLLMENT IN TRS IS A FOUR-STEP PROCESS REQUIRING ACTION
BY THE RESERVE MARINE, THE COMMAND, AND CMC (RA).
(A) STEP#1: COMMAND RESPONSIBILITIES. ALL COMMANDERS WHO
ADMINISTER RESERVE PERSONNEL OR DEACTIVATION PROCESSING SHALL:
(I) DESIGNATE UNIT TRS REPRESENTATIVES TO ADMINSTER THE TRS
PROGRAM.  TRS REPS PERFORM THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS: SERVE AS
VERIFYING OFFICERS FOR DD FORM 2895; ENSURE THAT PRIOR TO THE
END OF A PERIOD OF ACTIVATION OR ADSW-CO ORDERS THAT EVERY MEMBER
OF THE COMMAND IS NOTIFIED OF THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR THE TRS
PROGRAM; AND PROVIDE MEMBERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOG ON TO THE
DOD WEB SITE TO ACCEPT OR DECLINE TRS.
(II) PROVIDE THE UNIT TRS REPS' NAMES AND CONTACT INFORMATION
TO CMC (RA).  TRS REPS WILL BE UNABLE TO ACCESS THE "VERIFYING
OFFICER" PORTION OF THE DOD WEB APPLICATION UNTIL CMC (RA)
RECEIVES THIS INFO.
(III) INCORPORATE A BRIEF ON TRS INTO THE UNIT/DPC DEACTIVATION
PROCESS.  
(IV) MARFORRES AND CMC (MPP-60) SHALL INCORPORATE TRS INFORMATION
INTO THEIR EXISTING DEACTIVATION GUIDANCE.
(V) ELIGIBILITY FOR TRS DEPENDS ON ACCURATE CONTINGENCY OPERATION
DATA IN MCTFS.  RESERVE MARINES WHO BELIEVE THAT THEIR ELIGIBLITY
INFORMATION IN MCTFS OR DEERS IS INCORRECT SHOULD NOTIFY THE
ADMINISTRATIVE SECTION AT THEIR UNIT.  THE UNIT SHALL MAKE THE
APPROPRIATE ELIGIBILITY MODIFICATIONS TO MCTFS.  CHANGES THAT
ARE REPORTED BY THE UNIT WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY PROCESSED INTO,
OR REMOVED FROM DEERS WITHIN 24 HOURS.  IF NECESSARY, THE UNIT
MAY CONTACT THE DMDC MARINE CORPS LIAISON.  POC IS SSGT CRUZ,
AT COMM 831-583-2400, EXT 4224. 
(B) STEP#2: ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT TO SERVE IN THE SELRES.
THIS STEP MUST BE PERFORMED PRIOR TO THE END OF A RESERVE MARINE'S
ACTIVATION OR ADSW-CO ORDERS.
(I) PRIOR TO THE END OF THEIR ORDERS, RESERVE MARINES MUST FILL
OUT DD FORM 2895 "AGREEMENT TO SERVE IN THE SELECTED RESERVE FOR
TRICARE RESERVE SELECT", INDICATING THEIR INTENT TO SERVE IN THE
SELRES AFTER THEY TRANSITION FROM ACTIVE DUTY.
(II) WHEN FILLING OUT THE FORM, A RESERVE MARINE MUST INDICATE
HOW MANY WHOLE YEARS OF TRS COVERAGE THEY DESIRE.  RESERVE MARINES
CAN TAKE LESS TRS COVERAGE THAN THEY RATE, HOWEVER THEY CANNOT
CHANGE THEIR ELECTION AFTER THE DD FORM HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO DOD.
(III) THE DD FORM IS LOCATED ON THE INTERNET AT
WWW.DMDC.OSD.MIL/GUARD-RESERVEPORTAL.  TO PREVENT CONFUSION, IT
IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT RESERVE MARINES FILL OUT THE DD FORM
IN THE PRESENCE OF A UNIT TRS REP.
(C) STEP#3, "EXCUTE THE AGREEMENT."  ALL ACTIONS IN THIS STEP
MUST BE DONE PRIOR TO THE END OF THE MARINE'S TAMP PERIOD.
(I) JOIN A SMCR UNIT OR IMA DET.
(II) ONCE THE DD 2598 FORM IS COMPLETE, THE UNIT TRS REP WILL
VERIFY THE FORM BY LOGGING ON TO THE DOD WEB SITE AS THE
"VERIFYING OFFICIAL."
(III) THE RESERVE MARINE MUST FILL OUT THE TRICARE ENROLLMENT
FORM LOCATED ON THE SAME WEBSITE AS THE DD FORM 2598.
(IV) MAIL THE TRICARE ENROLLMENT FORM AND THE FIRST PREMIUM
PAYMENT TO THE APPROPRIATE TRICARE REGIONAL CONTRACTOR OFFICE
(TRCO).  THE WEB SITE WILL HAVE A LINK TO IDENTIFY THE MARINE'S
TRCO.  THIS FORM MUST BE MAILED NO LATER THAN 30 DAYS PRIOR TO
THE END OF A MARINE'S TAMP PERIOD.
(D) STEP #4: CMC (RA) RESPONSIBILITES.  CMC (RA) SHALL:
(I) OBTAIN ACCESS TO THE DOD WEB SITE FOR UNIT TRS REPS.
(II) PROVIDE INFORMATION TO UNIT TRS REPS ON HOW TO USE THE
DOD WEB APPLICATION, AS WELL AS TRAINING MATERIALS ON THE
TRS PROGRAM.
(E) EXCEPTION.  RESERVE MARINES WHOSE ACTIVATION OR ADSW-CO
ORDERS END BEFORE 26 APRIL 2005 HAVE UNTIL 28 OCT 2005 TO PERFORM
STEPS 2 AND 3.
F.  DISENROLLMENT.  DISENROLLMENT FROM TRS OCCURS UNDER THE
FOLLOWING CONDITIONS WHEN A MEMBER:
(1) RETIRES.
(2) TRANSFERS TO THE IRR.  MEMBERS WHO DROP TO THE IRR BECAUSE
THEY NO LONGER WISH TO DRILL AND WHO SUBSEQUENTLY TRANSFER BACK
TO THE SELRES CANNOT REENROLL IN TRS (UNLESS THEY PERFORM ANOTHER
PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY IN SUPPORT OF A CONTINGENCY).  INTERUNIT
TRANSFERS FROM ONE SMCR UNIT TO ANOTHER WILL NOT BE FACILITATED
BY DROPPING THE MARINE TO THE IRR.  
(3) AUGMENTS INTO THE AC OR AR PROGRAM.
(4) IS UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO REENLIST AND THE MEMBER'S CONTRACT
EXPIRES.
(5) IS ACTIVATED OR ACCEPTS ADSW (ALL TYPES) ORDERS.  ALL
SUBSEQUENT ACTIVE DUTY TIME PERFORMED AFTER A MEMBER ENROLLS
IN TRS COUNTS AGAINST THE TRS ELIGIBLITY PERIOD.  A MEMBER CAN
RESUME TRS WHEN THE PERIOD OF ACTIVE DUTY ENDS.  NOTE THAT A
MEMBER HAS THE OPTION OF USING THE SUBSEQUENT ACTIVE DUTY PERIOD
(AS LONG AS IT IS ACTIVATION OR ADSW-CO ORDERS, AND NOT NORMAL
ADSW ORDERS) TO REQUALIFY FOR TRS.  SEE PARA 3D(4)(D) ABOVE.
G.  DD FORM 2895 AGREEMENT TO SERVE IN THE SELECTED RESERVE FOR
TRICARE RESERVE SELECT.  THE DD 2895 FORM SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED
WITH A REENLISTMENT CONTRACT.  THE FORM AND THE REENLISTMENT
CONTRACT ARE TWO SEPARATE ITEMS AND PROCESSES THAT HAVE NO
RELATION TO ONE ANOTHER.  THE DD FORM SIMPLY FULFILLS A LEGAL
REQUIREMENT ON THE MEMBER'S PART TO INDICATE A WILLINGNESS TO
SERVE IN THE SELRES FOR A TIME FRAME SUFFICIENT TO COVER THE
QUALIFYING TRS BENEFIT PERIOD.  IT NEITHER REOBLIGATES A
NON-OBLIGOR TO SERVE IN THE SELRES, NOR DOES IT EXTEND THE
OBLIGATION OF AN OBLIGOR TO SERVE.  MEMBERS DESIRING TRS WHO
ARE COMING UP TO THE END OF THEIR ENLISTMENT (RECC) MUST STILL
REENLIST THROUGH THE NORMAL RELMS PROCESS VIA THEIR CAREER
RETENTION SPECIALIST.
H.  NEEDS OF THE SERVICE.  ALL RESERVE MEMBERS NEED TO BE
AWARE THAT ELIGIBILITY FOR TRS IS SUBJECT TO THE NEEDS OF
THE MARINE CORPS.  SPECIFICALLY, THIS MEANS:
(1) THE NEEDS OF THE MARINE CORPS SUPERSEDE A MEMBER'S TRS
ELIGIBILITY.  UNIT COMMANDERS AND IMA OPSPONSORS DO NOT HAVE
TO JOIN A MEMBER SOLELY BECAUSE HE OR SHE IS ELIGIBLE FOR TRS.
(2) IF AN IRR MEMBER IS ELIGIBLE FOR TRS BUT IS UNABLE TO JOIN
A SMCR UNIT OR IMA DET, THE MEMBER LOSES THE TRS BENEFIT.
(3) ELIGIBILITY FOR TRS DOES NOT SUPERSEDE ESTABLISHED RESERVE
MANPOWER POLICIES REGARDING SERVICE LIMITATIONS OR REENLISTMENTS. 
MEMBERS ELIGIBLE FOR TRS WHO HAVE REACHED THEIR SERVICE
LIMITATIONS OR ARE UNABLE TO REENLIST WILL LOSE THE TRS BENEFIT.
I.  EXAMPLES.  THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES ARE PROVIDED TO ASSIST
RESERVE MEMBERS IN UNDERSTANDING THE TRS PROGRAM.
(1) EXAMPLE#1.  LCPL SMITH IS ACTIVATED, FOR ONE YEAR, WITH
3RD CAG ON 1 JAN 2005, DEPLOYS TO IRAQ IN MARCH, AND RETURNS
TO CONUS WITH HER UNIT IN OCT 2005.  LCPL SMITH'S EAS IS 31
DEC 2005.  BECAUSE SHE WAS ORDERED TO ACTIVE DUTY FOR ONE YEAR,
LCPL SMITH IS ELIGIBLE FOR FOUR YEARS OF TRS COVERAGE.
DURING THE DEACTIVATION PROCESS, LCPL SMITH ACCESSES THE DOD
WEB APPLICATION, FILLS OUT HER DD FORM, AND INDICATES SHE WANTS
FOUR YEARS OF TRS COVERAGE.  NOTE: THIS DOES NOT AFFECT HER
CURRENT ENLISTMENT CONTRACT OR MANDATORY DRILL PARTICIPATION
STOP DATE.  THE 3RD CAG TRS REP VERIFIES LCPL SMITH'S ELIGIBILITY
VIA THE WEB APP.  LCPL SMITH DEACTIVATES AND STARTS HER TAMP TIME.
SHE REMAINS A MEMBER OF 3RD CAG.  DURING THIS TIME SHE ENROLLS IN
DEERS, IF NOT ALREADY ENROLLED, SELECTING SELF-ONLY OR SELF AND
FAMILY MEMBER COVERAGE.  AFTER HER LAST DAY OF TAMP, 29 JUN (AND
ASSUMING SHE REMAINS A MEMBER OF 3RD CAG OR ANY OTHER SMCR UNIT 
OR IMA DET), HER TRS COVERAGE BEGINS ON 30 JUN 2006.
(2) EXAMPLE#2.  CPL BROWN IS ACTIVATED ON 1 APR 2003, FOR SERVICE
WITH 2/23.  HIS EAS IS 31 MAY 2004.  ALTHOUGH 2/23 IS NOT
AUTHORIZED TO BE ACTIVATED UNTIL 1 JUNE 2003, CPL BROWN IS
ACTIVATED TWO MONTHS EARLY TO ATTEND TRAINING RELATED TO HIS
UPCOMING DEPLOYMENT.  THEREFORE CPL BROWN'S TOTAL PERIOD OF
ACTIVATION WILL BE 14 MONTHS.  CPL BROWN DEPLOYS TO IRAQ IN AUG
2003 AND RETURNS TO CONUS IN APRIL 2004.  AFTER HIS EAS, CPL
BROWN REMAINS A MEMBER OF 2/23.  SINCE CPL BROWN SERVED ON
ACTIVATION ORDERS FOR 14 MONTHS, HE IS ELIGIBLE FOR FOUR YEARS
OF TRS COVERAGE.  SINCE HIS EAS WAS PRIOR TO 26 APR 2005, CPL
BROWN HAS UNTIL 28 OCT 2005 TO FILL OUT THE DD FORM AND CONTACT
THE TRS REP AT 2/23.  SINCE CPL BROWN'S TAMP TIME HAS EXPIRED,
HIS TRS COVERAGE WILL BEGIN 30 DAYS AFTER HIS UNIT VERIFIES HIS
DD FORM VIA THE DOD WEB APPLICATION, AND HE FILLS OUT AND MAILS
BOTH THE TRICARE ENROLLMENT FORM AND HIS FIRST PREMIUM PAYMENT.
(3) EXAMPLE#3.  SGT JONES IS A MEMBER OF THE IRR WHO VOLUNTEERS
FOR SERVICE IN AN INDIVIDUAL AUGMENTEE (IA) REQUIREMENT.
SGT JONES REPORTS TO THE RESERVE SUPPORT UNIT, CAMP PENDLETON ON
1 FEB 2002 TO GO THROUGH THE ACTIVATION PROCESS.  HIS ORDERS
COMMENCE ON 1 FEB 2002 AND HIS EAS IS 31 JAN 2003.  SGT JONES
DEACTIVATES ON 31 JAN 2003.  WHILE OFF ACTIVE DUTY, SGT JONES
VOLUNTEERS FOR ANOTHER IA REQUIREMENT.  HE AGAIN REPORTS TO RSU
CAMP PENDLETON.  HIS ACTIVATION ORDERS ARE FOR ANOTHER ONE YEAR
PERIOD FROM 1 JUN 2003 TO 31 MAY 2004 FOR SERVICE WITH CENTCOM.
IN EARLY 2004, CENTCOM REQUESTS THAT HE BE EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER
YEAR (TO 31 MAY 2005).  THIS REQUEST IS APPROVED.  SGT JONES
TRANSITIONS FROM ACTIVATION ORDERS TO ADSW-CO ORDERS ON 1 JUNE
2004 SINCE HE HAS USED UP HIS 24-MONTH ACTIVATION CLOCK.
SGT JONES RETURNS TO RSU CAMP PENDLETON IN APRIL 2005 TO GO
THROUGH THE DEACTIVATION PROCESS.  HE DECIDES TO ENROLL IN TRS. 
ALTHOUGH SGT JONES HAS A TOTAL OF 36 MONTHS OF ACTIVATION/ADSW-CO
TIME, HE IS ONLY ALLOWED TO CHOOSE ONE OF THE TWO CONTINUOUS
PERIODS OF ACTIVE DUTY TO DETERMINE HIS TRS COVERAGE ELIGIBILITY.
SGT JONES CHOOSES THE SECOND PERIOD (2003 - 2005) AND IS ELIGIBLE
FOR EIGHT YEARS OF TRS COVERAGE.  SGT JONES FILLS OUT THE DD FORM
AND THE DPC TRS REP VERIFIES IT.  SGT JONES BEGINS HIS TAMP PERIOD
ON 1 JUNE 2005.  TAMP ENDS 27 NOV 2005.  PRIOR TO THAT DATE,
HE JOINS MP CO B IN PITTSBURGH, PA.  HE HAS NOW FULFILLED ALL THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR TRS COVERAGE.  TRS BEGINS ON 28 NOV 2005.
(4) EXAMPLE#4.  THIS EXAMPLE BUILDS ON EXAMPLE #3.  IN 2008,
SGT JONES COMPLETES 13 QUALIFYING YEARS OF SERVICE.  SERVICE
LIMITATION POLICY REQUIRES THAT HE BE DISCHARGED.  ALTHOUGH HE IS
ELIGIBLE FOR ANOTHER FIVE YEARS OF TRS, HIS MANDATORY DISCHARGE
NEGATES ANY FURTHER COVERAGE.  SGT JONES IS DISCHARGED ON
1 AUG 2008.  HIS TRS COVERAGE STOPS THE SAME DAY. 
J.  QUESTIONS ABOUT TRS.
(1) ELIGIBLITY.  ELIGIBLITY QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO
THE MEMBERS TRS REP.
(2) ELIGIBILITY ERRORS.  IF ANY UNIT OR INDIVIDUAL MEMBER
BELIEVES THAT MEMBER ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION MUST BE UPDATED OR
WAS NOT CORRECTLY PASSED, THE UNIT TRS REP SHALL CONTACT THE DMDC
MARINE CORPS LIAISON.  POC IS SSGT CRUZ, AT COMM 831-583-2400,
EXT 4224.  CHANGES THAT ARE REPORTED BY THE UNIT WILL BE PROMPTLY
ENTERED INTO, OR REMOVED FROM DEERS UPON RECEIPT.
(3) OTHER QUESTIONS.  TRS REPS MAY CONTACT THE CMC (RA) POC LISTED
IN THIS MARADMIN.
5.  ADDITIONAL TRICARE INFORMATION.  THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF
SOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL TRICARE INFORMATION.
A.  ACCESS THE TRICARE WEBSITE AT WWW.TRICARE.OSD.MIL OR
CALL 1-888-DOD-CARE (363-2273).
B.  TO LOCATE THE NEAREST DEERS-RAPIDS SITE ACCESS THE DMDC
WEBSITE AT WWW.DMDC.OSD.MIL/GUARD-RESERVEPORTAL.
THIS IS ALSO THE SITE FOR DD FORM 2895 AND THE TRICAQRE ENROLMENT
FORM.
C.  TO CONTACT THE NEAREST REGIONAL TRICARE BENEFICIARY COUNSELING
AND ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR (BCAC), ACCESS THE LIST OF BCAC NAMES
AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS AVAILABLE AT
WWW.TRICARE.OSD.MIL/BCACDIRECTORY.HTM.
D.  BENEFICIARIES ALSO MAY CONTACT A CUSTOMER SERVICE
REPRESENTATIVE.  A LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES IS AVAILABLE AT
WWW.TRICARE.OSD.MIL/TRICARESERVICECENTERS/DEFAULT.CFM.