This legislation included a number of health care provisions that represent the most significant change to military health care since the inception of the Champus program in 1966. Of particular importance are the excellent new benefits for beneficiaries age 65 and over and their family members; namely:

Medicare eligible beneficiaries will now be eligible for the TRICARE program. This will include beneficiaries residing overseas. Medicare will be first payer and TRICARE will become second payer. (Important: For TRICARE to serve as second payer, beneficiaries must be enrolled in Medicare Part B.) If you are 65 and not yet enrolled in Medicare Part B, visit your local Social Security Office for information on the Medicare open enrollment period that takes place each year from Jan. 1 through March 31, or contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. You may also visit the Medicare web site www.medicare.gov. The target date for implementation of the TRICARE health benefit is Oct. 1, 2001.

A Pharmacy benefit will be instituted that will include use of the National Mail Order and civilian pharmacies. This is the same pharmacy benefit currently available to those under age 65. The projected implementation date for this benefit is April 1, 2001. Important: If you turn 65 before April 1, 2001, or are already age 65, you will automatically qualify for the pharmacy benefit whether or not you have Medicare Part B. But, if you turn 65 on or after April 1, 2001, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part B to use the pharmacy benefit.

If you are approaching, or already over the age of 65, it is very important to ensure that your address and telephone number in DEERS are correct. The TRICARE Management Activity Office will be sending out "TRICARE for Life" notification letters soon and you will not want to miss them.

You must also make sure that your military I.D. card is current. If your card has expired, sponsors can renew ID cards by visiting the Personnel Support Department (PSD), Bldg. 83 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. or Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Call 694-3022 for selected Saturday hours. (Note: The ID Card Department is on the second deck of PSD. Elevator and wheelchair access are available by parking in the rear of the building.) In addition to updating ID cards, changes in addresses and phone numbers as well can be made at PSD or by calling the Defense Manpower Data Support Office at 1-800-538-9552. Remember to always up-date DEERS each time you move or change your phone number.

Although this new TRICARE benefit package for seniors may negate the need for additional health insurance policies in some cases, it is strongly recommended that you do not drop your Supplemental (Medigap) policies yet. There are still details to be worked out and implementation dates are subject to change. Watch your mail and future Dolphin articles for details as they develop. You may also visit the Health Benefit Advisors on the second floor of NACC for more information as it becomes available, or call them at 694-4968.