washingtonscene

to participation, attract more providers to participate in TRICARE Standard, and ensure assistance for Standard beneficiaries who need help finding TRICARE-participating providers.  Eliminate pre-authorization and referral hassles and other administrative inconveniences to promote doctor participation in TRICARE and improve beneficiary access.  Work closely with DoD and TRICARE contractors to ensure Prime access standards are met and appointment, specialty care authorization, and referral processes are upgraded.  Reinstate TRICARE benefits for remarried survivors when the second marriage ends. The Veterans Benefits Act of 2002 restored similar VA benefits for survivors of veterans who died of service- connected causes. Military survivors deserve the same consideration.  Upgrade programs and ensure improved DoD policy and implementation for families with special-needs children.

Guard/Reserve health care Promote the availability of TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) coverage, and seek enactment of legislation to give Selected Reservists the option of having the government subsidize continuation of civilian health coverage during call-ups — just as the government already provides up to 24 months of Federal Employees Health Benefits Program premium coverage for activated federal workers. Seek a Government Accountability Office review of TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) enrollment and outreach procedures and an explanation of rates for reservists with TRS who roll over immediately into TRR.

Pharmacy issues Work with DoD and Congress to maintain a comprehensive uniform pharmacy benefit

with a robust formulary that preserves beneficiary options to obtain specific pharmaceuticals determined necessary by their providers. Promote positive incentives (e.g., reduce or eliminate mail-order copayments) for TRICARE beneficiaries to use the less-expensive home-delivery system. MOAA will strive to maximize beneficiary choice, minimize beneficiary costs, and help educate beneficiaries and providers to make the best use of the various TRICARE pharmacy options.

Access to VA health care The VA must aggressively implement re- forms to assure timely access to the quality care experienced by most enrolled veterans. Changes in leadership in some facilities, recruitment of separating DoD medical professionals, upgrades of clinical space, and an overhaul of the out-of-date scheduling system are among needed reforms. MOAA supports a comprehensive, strategic plan for VA health care delivery in the 21st century. The VA must double down on efforts to

improve mental health care delivery and address the number of veteran suicides. The VA and DoD need to strengthen their collaborative efforts in delivering long- term medical and benefits counseling and caregiver support services for catastrophi- cally disabled veterans. To sustain VA services to the nation’s

veterans, two-year funding across all VA accounts must be enacted. MOAA will con- tinue to be watchful against any initiative that would force dual-eligible beneficiaries to choose between the DoD and VA health systems solely as a cost-saving measure.

Retired Pay and Survivor Issues

Military retirement changes Retirement reform recommendations from the Military Compensation and

JANUARY 2015 MILITARY OFFICER 45