“TRICARE has failed to provide the affordable, quality health care that it once promised,” Jones said.  “Implementation of the program in Eastern North Carolina alone has created numerous problems for our county hospitals, providers, and beneficiaries. As a result, TRICARE has become a great source of frustration to the individuals and families who serve our nation in uniform. This bill intends to improve beneficiary access to health care and expand options for care while reducing the level of paperwork that plague the system today.”

TEA 2000 would require parties that refer beneficiaries for care to outside locations assume the cost of travel expenses, which can drive up beneficiary out-of-pocket costs.  The bill would also provide for more timely access to expanded health care by eliminating pre-authorization requirements for TRICARE Standard beneficiaries and those beneficiaries seeking mental health care, and by instituting new measures to track compliance with appointment timeliness standards.  In addition, TEA 2000 would extend the appeals process for those dental care providers who participate in TRICARE to non-network providers who provide dental care to covered beneficiaries.

While the TRICARE Enhancement Act of 2000 is not a major overhaul of the TRICARE system, it does propose changes that respond to specific problems with the program that many current legislative proposals ignore.

“Over the last six years, I have heard from thousands of constituents and met with contractors, health care providers, military and veterans associations to discuss problems with the current system and examine how the system could be improved.  Many of the provisions in this bill are a result of those meetings,” Jones continued.  “I recognize that my bill alone will not solve every problem, but it makes several necessary changes to help TRICARE become a quality health care program for our nation’s military.” 

TEA 2000 has been referred to the House Committee on Armed Services for consideration.