TRICARE for the South Region - Decreasing ER related costs

(Recent news from 12/2011) A friend shared the following information with us.

Did you hear that the TRICARE South department has decided to put on a demonstration for all of the AD CG members and their dependents with respect to decreasing ER costs? If you are in the South Region, chances are, you received this in a letter. For those of you who haven't here's the info:

The objective of this demonstration is to decrease Emergency Room (ER) costs, increase access to care, and improve patient satisfaction. What does this mean for you? If you are unable to get an appointment to see your Primary Care Manager (PCM) for acute/urgent care, you may utilize, with no out of pocket costs, a TRICARE South Network Urgent Care Center (UCC) for each member of your family. Each Active Duty (AD) service member and AD family member will be allowed up to four visits for acute minor illness and/or minor injuries in each period.

The first period begins January 1, 2012 and ends on September 30, 2012.
Your clock will restart for another four visits in the second period which begins October 1, 2012and ends on May 1, 2013.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! If this pilot program is successful, it may be extended to all servicebeneficiaries on a permanent basis. This program should significantly reduce the costs of healthcare for the Coast Guard and the U.S. Government and improve services to members and their dependents. Please utilize this opportunity and save yourself unnecessary wait times in ERs. Important Information: Active Duty members must schedule a follow-up appointment with their PCM following any UCC utilization and AD family members are encouraged to schedule a follow-up appointment with their PCM. Participating UCCs may be found by visiting Humana Military’s website (http://www.humanamilitary.com/) and additional information on the project is available at the following website link (www.humana-military/urgentcaredemo). General information, including governing documentation, about this demonstration may be found by visiting the TRICARE Regional Office-South website (http://www.tricare.mil/trosouth/).

Coast Guard Health Safety Work Life points of contact are:LCDR Leah Preston at (703) 681-8716 or Leah.Preston@tma.osd.mil.LT William Chew at (210) 292-3277 or William.Chew@tros.tma.osd.milLT Cory McCollow at (510) 326-4032 or Cory.J.McCollow@uscg.mil.Following your visits to an urgent care center, please give us your feedback at the followingwebsite: https://surveys.uscg.mil/Community/