Tricare still sorting out regional contracts

Tricare still sorting out regional contracts
By Karen Jowers - Staff writer
Posted : Friday May 7, 2010 10:18:51 EDT

Health Net Federal Services will continue as the health care contractor for the Tricare North region, defense officials announced.

The Tricare South contract decision process will take longer, as defense officials have gone back to the original bidders for more information. A separate agency-level protest involving the West Region, awarded to TriWest Healthcare Alliance Corp, is pending.

Tricare officials have assured beneficiaries that these contract disputes will not affect them, stressing that the current contracts are extended.

“Our top priority is our beneficiaries, and we want to reassure them that contract extensions are in place through March 31, 2011, and they will continue to receive high-quality care and customer service,” said Dr. Charles Rice, acting director of Tricare Management Activity, in an announcement about the contracts.

The contracts have been in limbo since last summer. Defense officials awarded the North Region contract to Aetna Government Health Plans, and the South Region contract to UnitedHealth Military & Veterans Services. Health Net and Humana Military Healthcare Services, current contractors for the North and South regions, filed protests.



unhappycamper comment: Life's a bitch when you outsource everything.