Improving Reserve Component Medical Readiness
Abstract
Reserve Component Service Members (RCSMs) are required to meet individual medical readiness (IMR) standards. While medical readiness reporting has improved, the Department does not have a full understanding of the nature of RCSM IMR shortfalls and their underlying causes. The full range of possible interventions to optimize reserve component (RC) medical readiness is also not fully understood. This analysis explores RCSM IMR shortfalls and estimates the costs and benefits of several interventions. We find RCSM IMR rates have improved greatly over the last decade. Among the population with deployment-limiting conditions, we find that muscular skeletal pain, heart disease, and a few more chronic conditions disproportionately affect readiness. To address remaining RCSM medical readiness gaps, we find the RCs should focus on IMR service delivery channels that target readiness directly (i.e., the Reserve Health Readiness Program, and service delivery using medical capabilities available organically to RC units or in military treatment facilities). Expanding TRICARE health benefits to inactive RCSMs would not be a cost-effective approach for improving RCSM medical readiness, although it may offer recruitment and retention benefits.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1200223
Entities
People
- James M. Bishop
- Jamie M. Lindly
- Nathaniel T. Cleaves
- Sarah K. John
- W. P. Luan
Organizations
- Institute for Defense Analyses