Some Tricare preventive services are now free

Some Tricare preventive services are now free
By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Sep 2, 2009 19:28:26 EDT

As of Tuesday, certain Tricare beneficiaries no longer have to pay out of pocket for immunizations, mammograms and some other preventive services.

However, the benefit does not apply to all preventive services or to Medicare-eligible beneficiaries.

Also as of Tuesday, beneficiaries can request reimbursement for any of these covered preventive services that they have paid for since Oct. 14. The benefit is retroactive to that date, when it was signed into law.

Covered preventive services include screenings for colorectal cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer and prostate cancer; immunizations; and certain physical exams, including well-child visits for children younger than 6. This means the patient has no co-payments or cost shares, even if his or her annual Tricare deductible has not been met.

Here’s how to get reimbursed, according to Tricare officials:

• No claim form is required. Beneficiaries should contact the Tricare contractor that processed their claim and request a reimbursement. Beneficiaries may call or write; written requests should include the sponsor’s Social Security number, full names and dates of birth of all dependents, and a current mailing address.

• Beneficiaries will be reimbursed directly by the contractor.

Ellie