Military Health Care Research Paper

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PSC 700 Assignment 1 August 2012 By: Jim Johnson Topic: Military and Veterans’ Health Care Overview Military health care encompasses a diverse range of programs, each serving a total military population of more than 9.7 million people, including active duty personnel and families, as well as retirees and their families. An estimated 22.7 million veterans receive coverage and access to care through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The major military health care programs are operated through the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Department of Defense covers active duty service members and retirees from all branches of the military and their families while the Department of Veterans…show more content…
National Reservists and Guards on active duty for more than 30 consecutive days have comprehensive health care coverage under TRICARE. Their family members’ health and dental care are also covered under several TRICARE program options. Beneficiaries can choose from three health coverage plans: (1) TRICARE Prime, the HMO option of TRICARE; (2) TRICARE Extra, which has a larger provider network but also a deductible; (3) TRICARE Standard, formerly known as CHAMPUS. While the benefits are the same across all three plans, there are differences in who is eligible, the provider networks, and the out-of- pocket costs under each plan. In addition, the TRICARE Reserve Select program is a health plan that eligible National Guard and Reserve members can buy into by paying monthly premiums, and the program is open to most members of the Reserves who are not on active duty. Covered benefits are comparable to TRICARE Extra and Standard packages. TRICARE for Life (TFL) is available to Medicare-eligible military retirees and their family members and survivors who are enrolled in Medicare Part B. For services covered by both Medicare and TRICARE, Medicare acts as the first payer and TRICARE pays the remaining…show more content…
These differences have resulted in some gaps in medical service. Quality The Department of Veterans Affairs has been recognized as a leader in improving the quality of health care, including pioneering work in the implementation of technologies and systems to improve the delivery of care. VA leadership has also been recognized for the establishment of a quality measurement program that holds regional managers accountable for processes in preventive care and in the management of common chronic conditions. The Department of Defense also has undertaken major quality improvement initiatives. However, there have been some difficulties in sharing information between the two departments in part because the two Departments have differing interpretations of federal privacy provisions governing the sharing of individually identifiable health data. The difficulties experienced by disabled soldiers and the coordination of their care as they transition to civilian life has been a major driver of
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