Health Benefits for Medicare-Eligible Military Retirees: Rationalizing TRICARE for Life
Abstract
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year (FY) 2001 made sweeping changes to the way that health care furnished by civilian providers to Medicare-eligible military retirees is financed. The law directed the Department of Defense (DoD) to implement what is now commonly referred to as TRICARE for Life (TFL). As of October 1, 2001, TFL provides TRICARE as supplemental health insurance for all Medicare-eligible military retirees age 65 or older who are enrolled in Medicare Part B. As of 2003, approximately 1.6 mil- lion military retirees are eligible for TFL. In general, TRICARE for Life covers all cost-sharing for Medicare-covered services and standard TRICARE cost-sharing for services that are covered by TRICARE but not by Medicare. Thus, TFL provides Medicare-eligible military retirees with one of the most comprehensive health insurance benefit packages in the United States.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA428225
Entities
People
- Barbara Wynn
- Katherine Harris
- Michael Schoenbaum
- Renee Labor
- Terri Tanielian
Organizations
- RAND Corporation