Tricare Transition Complete
This MARADMIN announces the completion of TRICARE's transition to three new CONUS regional contractors as of November 1, 2004. TRICARE benefits remain unchanged under the new contractors, and beneficiaries are encouraged to access services online, update their DEERS information, and utilize regional contractor resources for healthcare needs.
Issued: November 29, 2004
1. 1 NOVEMBER 2004 MARKED THE COMPLETION OF TRICARE'S CONVERSION TO THE THREE NEW CONUS REGIONS AND CONTRACTORS. 2. TRICARE BENEFITS REMAIN UNCHANGED UNDER THE THREE NEW CONTRACTORS AND MILITARY MEDICAL FACILITIES IN ALL REGIONS REMAIN THE CORE OF THE MILITARY HEALTH SYSTEM. 3. SOME TIPS FOR ACCESSING TRICARE INFORMATION INCLUDE CONDUCTING BUSINESS ONLINE WHENEVER POSSIBLE AS PER THE REFERENCE, CALLING DURING NON-PEAK HOURS, AND VISITING TRICARE SERVICE CENTERS FOR FACE-TO-FACE ASSISTANCE AND COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM. BENEFICIARIES MAY ALSO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL TRICARE INFORMATION ON THE TRICARE WEBSITE AT WWW.TRICARE.OSD.MIL. BENEFICIARIES MAY ENROLL OR CHANGE ENROLLMENT INFORMATION ONLINE, SEARCH FOR PROVIDERS IN THEIR LOCAL AREA, AND FIND A WEALTH OF INFORMATION ON THE HEALTH PLAN AS WELL AS LINKS TO OTHER KEY SITES FOR INFORMATION ON CLAIMS PROCESSING AND ONLINE APPOINTMENTS. 4. THE THREE CONUS REGIONAL CONTRACTOR WEBSITES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE: A. TRICARE NORTH - WWW.HEALTHNETFEDERALSERVICES.COM OR CALL 1-877-TRICARE (1-877-874-2273). B. TRICARE SOUTH - WWW.HUMANA-MILITARY.COM OR CALL 1-800-444-5445. C. TRICARE WEST - WWW.TRIWEST.COM OR CALL 1-888-TRIWEST (1-800-874-9378). 5. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR BENEFICIARIES TO KEEP THEIR DEFENSE ENROLLMENT AND ELIGIBILITY REPORTING SYSTEM (DEERS) INFORMATION UPDATED. FAILURE TO KEEP THIS INFORMATION CURRENT MAY RESULT IN FUTURE PROVIDER AND PHARMACY SERVICE DENIALS OF CARE, RETURNED TRICARE HEALTH CARE CLAIMS, AND UNDELIVERED UPDATES ABOUT THE TRANSITION. TO UPDATE PERSONAL INFORMATION IN DEERS, BENEFICIARIES MAY: A. VISIT A LOCAL UNIFORMED SERVICE PERSONNEL OFFICE OR VISIT A MILITARY IDENTIFICATION CARD ISSUING FACILITY. B. VISIT WWW.TRICARE.OSD.MIL/DEERSADDRESS TO UPDATE ADDRESS INFORMATION. C. FAX ADDRESS CHANGES TO DEERS AT 1-831-655-8317. D. MAIL THE ADDRESS CHANGE TO THE DEFENSE MANPOWER DATA CENTER SUPPORT OFFICE, ATTN: COA, 400 GIGLING ROAD, SEASIDE, CA 93955-6771. 6. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT THE NEAREST BENEFICIARY COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR (BCAC). A BCAC DIRECTORY IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT WWW.TRICARE.OSD.MIL/BCACDIRECTORY.HTM. BENEFICIARIES ALSO MAY CONTACT A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE NEAREST TRICARE SERVICE CENTER.