New resources provide options to TRICARE beneficiaries

  • Published
  • By Patricia Opong-Brown
  • TRICARE Press Room News
FALLS CHURCH, Va. --  TRICARE beneficiaries can now access information on their benefits through several available resources.

Benefits can be accessed through the regional managed care support contractor, TRICARE Service Centers and the Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinators. 

"It is a high priority for us to make sure beneficiaries know they have several ways to get information on their TRICARE benefit as well as assistance," said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, TMA deputy director.

The "first line of defense" for benefit information should always be the regional MCSC toll-free numbers, but TSCs are also a great option for members who want an up-close-and-personal service-experience, said General Granger.

TSC representatives are available to assist beneficiaries with enrollments, finding TRICARE network providers, referrals and authorizations, claims and much more on a walk-in basis. Most TSCs are located inside, or in close proximity to military treatment facilities, and are managed in the U.S. by the MCSCs.

TSCs are also located throughout the world. In Europe, the Pacific, Latin America and Canada TSCs are contracted by the TRIECARE Area Offices--which are additional resources for beneficiary assistance overseas.

After TRICARE recipients have sought assistance from the regional toll-free lines or at a TSC, they can refer to a BCAC.

There are nearly 900 BCACs around the world and they wear many hats, said General Granger. Serving at each TRICARE Regional Office and most MTFs, BCACs can help beneficiaries with a range of needs including answering questions about medical coverage and benefits, coordinating with regional contractors on health care-related issues, and much more.

Moody members who would like to receive assistance with TRICARE questions, beneficiaries should first contact their region or area offices toll-free at Humana Military Healthcare Services, Inc. (800) 444-5445.

Airmen can also find their nearest TSC by logging onto www.tricare.mil/contactus. To find a nearby BCAC, log on to www.tricare.mil/bcacdcao.

To watch a video on Tricare Service Centers visit, http://www.tricare.mil/pressroom/featurestory-02-07-2008.aspx.