What is the TRICARE program?
In 1966 the Department of Defense (DoD) instituted the Civilian Health and Medicare Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to assist with the medical needs of active-duty family members, military retirees and their family members. In the 1980’s, the DoD instituted the TRICARE program to meet the changing health care needs of the military and replace the old CHAMPUS program. There are three TRICARE options available for eligible beneficiaries: Standard, Extra, and Prime.

• TRICARE Standard is similar to a traditional non-enrolled indemnity plan with cost sharing and an annual deductible.
• TRICARE Extra is similar to a preferred provider organization (PPO). This is an option available to a Standard beneficiary.
• TRICARE Prime is similar to a health maintenance organization (HMO). Care is accessed primarily within the Military Health System (at a military treatment facility) or TriWest’s civilian provider network.

For more information about TriCare, go to the Regency web site >