Accession Number:

AD1105667

Title:

Defense Health Care: Operational Difficulties and System Uncertainties Pose Continuing Challenges for TRICARE

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE WASHINGTON DC WASHINGTON DC United States

Personal Author(s):

• Backhus,Stephen P

Report Date:

1998-02-26

Pagination or Media Count:

20.0

Abstract:

We are pleased to be here today to discuss the status of the Department of Defenses DOD implementation of its managed care program called TRICARE. Following years of demonstration programs that tested alternative health care delivery mechanisms, DOD began completelyrestructuring its system into TRICARE in 1993. TRICARE represents a redesign of DODs 15.5 billion health care system and is being implemented to improve beneficiaries access to health care while maintaining quality and controlling costs in a time of military downsizingand budgetary concerns. Under TRICARE, health care for over 8.2 million eligible beneficiaries s coordinated and managed on a regional basis using military hospitals and clinics, supplemented by contracted civilian services.

Descriptors:

• health services
• military medicine
• military hospitals
• military personnel
• active duty
• personnel management
• delivery of health care
• cost effectiveness

Subject Categories:

• Military Forces and Organizations
• Medicine and Medical Research

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE