Defense Health Care: TRICARE Select Implementation Plan Included Mandated Elements, but Access Standards Should Be Clarified
Abstract
DOD offers health care services to approximately 9.4 million eligible beneficiaries through TRICARE, DODs regionally structured healthcare program. In each of its regions, DOD uses contractors to manage health care delivery through civilian provider networks, among other tasks. The NDAA 2017 made several changes to the TRICARE program, including the establishment of a new preferred provider network health plan option called TRICARE Select. The NDAA 2017 also required DOD to develop an implementation plan for TRICARE Select that addresses seven specific mandated elements on access to care, beneficiary complaints, and quality metrics for network providers. The NDAA 2017 included a provision for GAO to review the implementation plan. This report examines the extent to which DODs implementation plan addressed the mandated elements. GAO evaluated DODs implementation plan using leading planning practices identified in GAOs prior work and standards for internal control. GAO examined program policies, procedures, and contracts and interviewed DOD officials and TRICARE regional contractors.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1154555
Entities
People
- Debra Draper
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office