DoD sets new Tricare co-pays for 2007

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From: Waspscpo@aol.com [mailto:Waspscpo@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2006 2:24 PM
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Subject: DoD sets new Tricare co-pays for ’07


http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-2364091.php
DoD sets new Tricare co-pays for ’07

By Gayle S. Putrich
 Army Timnes Staff writer
November 20, 2006
The updated 2007 cost shares for Tricare beneficiaries are now available from the Defense Department.  Every year, the federal government tweaks the elaborate system that determines the amount doctors get paid for care and procedures, known as “reimbursement rates.” Those changes, in turn, translate into changes in cost shares, or co-pays, for insurance beneficiaries.

Tricare officials said this year’s changes are “few and small.”

A comparison of the 2006 and 2007 charts revealed an increase in charges for civilian in-patient skilled nursing facility care, such as nursing homes, from $11 per day co-pay to $14.80 per day under Tricare Standard and Extra. The daily charges for active-duty family members to receive in-patient care will also creep up 45 cents a day under the same plans.

Tricare Standard beneficiaries will also pay more for in-patient care at low-volume behavioral health facilities — $181 per day or 25 percent of the billed charges, on top of 25 percent of the allowable charges for separately billed services. That’s up from $175 per day in 2006.There will be no increases for Tricare Prime beneficiaries, according to the charts.

The updated rates are available on the internet. For more detailed information and personal help, patients should contact their regional Tricare contractor. Tricare reimbursement rates are aligned with congressionally determined Medicare rates.

There are some differences, however, with Tricare picking up some costs that Medicare does not.For those carrying Tricare coverage who are also eligible for Medicare, income-based changes to Medicare premiums are coming in 2007.In 2007, Medicare premiums will increase when an individual’s income hits $80,000, $100,000, $150,000 and $200,000. For married couples, premiums increases are triggered by double those amounts.

Tricare officials said changes to Medicare Part B will have no effect on their Tricare coverage. Those who are eligible for Medicare and are enrolled in Tricare for Life have separate payment charts.

 http://www.tricare.mil/tricarecost.cfm
http://www.tricare.osd.mil/tfl/tflcostmatrix_b.html
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Contributed,
YNCS Don Harribine, USN(ret)