Newsbytes August 2, 2024
In this issue:
New TRICARE Contract
VA Launches Updated Burn Pit Registry
VA Study of Long COVID
Happy Birthday USCG
New TRICARE Contract for 2025
The Defense Health Agency (DHA) provides health services to approximately 9.6 million beneficiaries, including uniformed service members, military retirees, and their families. The DHA operates the TRICARE Health Plan and manages a global network of more than 700 military hospitals, clinics, and dental facilities. After resolving litigation, TRICARE beneficiaries are set to start receiving care under a new provider contract, nicknamed “T-5,” on January 1, 2025. Some of the changes are as follows:
- The new contract will NOT affect TRICARE For Life beneficiaries, TRICARE Overseas users, or U.S. Family Health Plan members.
- Humana Military will continue to be the TRICARE East Region contractor under the new setup.
- TriWest takes over the TRICARE West Region from Health Net Federal Services. TriWest previously held the West Region contract.
- Six states (Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin) will move from the East region to the West region.
DHA officials have asked beneficiaries to confirm their Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) information is up to date. This will ensure beneficiaries receive the correct updates. Up-to-date DEERS records are critical to accessing your TRICARE benefits. It’s important for beneficiaries to keep their DEERS information up to date so they and their families can use TRICARE.
DHA wants beneficiaries to know that appointments scheduled under current providers for after the T-5 changeover will be honored. Humana Military and TriWest will distribute provider directories in November, which will allow beneficiaries to find in-network care for 2025. DHA claims that the new contracts will allow for improved access to “highly specialized medical and surgical care” and provide more telehealth options. West Region beneficiaries should receive detailed communications from TriWest regarding any changes in the coming months. For more information about transitioning to the new contract, go to: TRICARE Contract Transition FAQ.
VA Launches Updated Burn Pit Registry
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the launch of the redesigned Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry. The Burn Pit Registry is a database that combines veteran and service member data to help the VA better understand, research, and ultimately improve treatment for the health challenges facing veterans exposed to airborne hazards and burn pits during their military service. Addressing the health issues associated with military-related toxic exposure is a priority for the VA, and this announcement marks an important milestone in that effort.
The registry is an important research tool that enables the VA to identify and study health challenges spanning the veteran and service member populations. The registry is providing veterans and service members an opportunity to help improve the care and benefits of veterans and service members in generations to come. The registry will now include more than 4.7 million veterans and service members who meet participation criteria based on Department of Defense records. Importantly, participating in or opting out of the registry does not impact nor determine eligibility for veterans’ individual VA health care or benefits. Those who do not wish to participate in the Registry can opt out. For more information, go to: Burn Pit Registry.
VA Study of Long COVID Impact on Veterans
In a paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) presents findings from a study of over 5 million veterans that substantiate the important protective role COVID-19 vaccination plays in preventing a health condition called Long COVID. Long COVID is defined as a chronic condition lasting at least three months following SARS-CoV-2 infection.
This VA study is the largest yet to look at the role vaccination plays in preventing Long COVID, as well as trends in the prevalence of Long COVID among veterans over time. This study followed veterans who received VA health care across the country between March 1, 2020, and January 31, 2022, for one year, ultimately comparing 441,583 veterans who had SARS-CoV-2 infection to 4,748,504 veterans who did not.
Happy Birthday USCG
This August 4 marks the 234th birthday of the United States Coast Guard. Congress created the agency on August 4, 1790, when it authorized the construction of 10 vessels to enforce tariff and trade laws, prevent smuggling, and protect the collection of federal revenue. Responsibilities added over the years included humanitarian duties such as aiding mariners in distress.
The service received its present name in 1915 when the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the U.S. Life-Saving Service to form a single maritime service dedicated to the safety of life at sea and enforcing the nation's maritime laws. The Coast Guard is a multi-mission, maritime, military service and the smallest of the five Armed Services. Its mission is to protect the public, the environment, and U.S. economic interests in the nation's waterways, along the coast, on international waters, or in any maritime region as required to support national security.