Military Medical Care: Questions and Answers
Abstract
The primary mission of the military health system, which encompasses the Defense Department's hospitals, clinics, and medical personnel, is to maintain the health of military personnel so they can carry out their military missions, and to be prepared to deliver health care during wartime. The military health system also provides, where space is available, health care services in Department of Defense (DOD) medical facilities to dependents of active duty service members and to retirees and their dependents. The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) was established in 1966 legislation as the military equivalent of a health insurance plan, run by DOD, for active duty dependents, military retirees and the dependents of retirees, survivors of deceased members, and certain former spouses. CHAMPUS reimburses beneficiaries for portions of the costs of health care received from civilian providers. As a follow-on to CHAMPUS, DOD established Tricare to coordinate the efforts of the services medical facilities. Tricare also provides beneficiaries with the opportunity to receive their care through a DOD-managed health maintenance organization (Tricare Prime), a preferred provider organization (Tricare Extra), or to continue to use regular CHAMPUS (now known as Tricare Standard). The military health system currently includes some 75 hospitals and 461 clinics serving an eligible population of 8.9 million. It operates worldwide and employs some 39,000 civilians and 92,000 active duty military personnel. Calculating the total cost of military medical spending is complicated by the different categories of funds involved; DOD statistics on total medical spending indicate a growth from $17.5 billion in FY2000 to an estimated $37 billion in FY2008 (the latter figure includes an accrual fund for future retirees).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 04, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA486035
Entities
People
- Richard A.. Best Jr.
Organizations
- Library of Congress