Legislation helps hold down Tricare costs Published Nov. 20, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Dan Lanphear Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Starting Jan. 1, civilian employers will no longer be allowed to offer their Tricare-eligible employees incentives to use the government plan instead of their company's group health plan. By law, this ruling applies to all employers, including state and local governments with 20 or more employees. The 2007 John Warner National Defense Authorization Act prohibits employers from offering these incentives after evidence showed employers attempted to shift their group health plan costs to Tricare. Tricare is the Defense Department's healthcare plan for military members, retirees and their families. Medical and dental services come through a worldwide network of providers, military treatment facilities and clinics. More than 9.1 million people, including Air Force reservists, are eligible beneficiaries. DOD officials urge people to look closely at all available health care options from Tricare and their current employer to decide what is best for them and their families. Eligible persons, including traditional reservists, can enroll in TRICARE without taking employer incentives if desired. Employers can still offer "cafeteria plans" to Tricare-eligible employees if the plans are offered to all employees, including those not eligible for Tricare. Cafeteria plans are "fringe benefits" under which, employees may choose from various options to fit their healthcare needs, up to a specified dollar value. The legislation does not change "Tricare supplement" plans not offered by employers but sold by beneficiary associations or commercial insurers. More information about Tricare is available online at http://www.tricare.mil (Air Force Reserve Command News Service from a Tricare news release)