DEFENSE HEALTH CARE: Fully Integrated Pharmacy System Would Improve Service and Cost-Effectiveness
Abstract
The rapid rise in health care costs, the closure of military treatment facilities (MTF), and the rising number of retired military beneficiaries have required the Department of Defense (DOD) to continually seek to reengineer its health care delivery system. Today, modeled after civilian managed care, DODs TRICARE health care system provides most care in Army, Navy, and Air Force MTFs, supplemented by civilian health care services arranged by regional TRICARE contractors. Among the healthcare services, the pharmacy benefit is most in demand by military beneficiaries. DOD currently provides prescription drug benefits through three programs: MTF outpatient pharmacies, TRICARE contractors retail pharmacies, and a national contractors mail-order service. As in the private sector, DODs pharmacy costs have continued to grow relative to total health care costs. GAO estimates that DOD pharmacy costs increased13 percent between 1995 and 1997, while its overall health care costs increased 2 percent for that period.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- AD1106032
Entities
People
- Arthur D. Trapp
- Carolyn R. Kirby
- Cheryl A. Brand
- Daniel P. Brier
- Dayna K. Shah
- James D. Espinoza
- Janice S. Raynor
- Joel A. Hamilton
- John C. Hansen
- Joseph T. Mcdermott
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office