LRC Health Insurance: TricareCoding Classifications & Reimbursement Systems, MDA1305TRICARE formerly known as CHAMPUS (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services) is a federal health care program implemented in 1967 for military personnel in active service members and their dependents. TRICARE is also aimed at retired military personnel and their dependent family members and survivors of military personnel who died in service. The U.S. uniformed services include: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Public Health Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) (Rowell, J.A. (1997). TRICARE was created to expand access to health care , ensure the quality of health care services, control health care costs, and improve the medical readiness of soldiers (Rowell, J.A. (1997). There are four regions of TRICARE: North, West, and South in the United United States and one for those abroad there are three options for TRICARE: TRICARE Prime is a managed care (Fee for Service) option that provides priority access to care at military treatment facilities (i.e.: healthcare facilities). basic and VA) with expensive rates if care is sought outside the Prime network, the most comprehensive of the three lowest-cost health benefits (Rowell, JA (1997). Those eligible for this option are staff active duty military, sponsor's family who is on active duty, retirees and their families all those under the age of 65 (Rowell, JA (1997). TRICARE Extra allows TRICARE Standard users to save 5% when they visit any doctor, hospital or other in-network provider by simply presenting their CAC (military personnel identification card called a common access card). However, there is a lower priority for these users in... middle of the document.... Retrieved April 27, 2014, from http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140224/BENEFITS02/ 302240023/DoD-budget-sees- cuts-BAH-commissary-Tricare-benefitsRowell, J. A. (1997). Tricare. Understanding health insurance: A professional billing guide (4th ed., pp. 602-628). Albany, NY: Delmar Publishers. Jordan, B. (2014, April 3). Major Pentagon document outlines Tricare changes | Military.com. Major Pentagon document outlines Tricare changes | Military.com. Retrieved April 27, 2014, from http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/04/03/pentagons-top-doc-outlines-tricare-changes.htmlSerbu, J. (2014, March 5). Pentagon seeks new out-of-pocket expenses for TRICARE beneficiaries. - FederalNewsRadio.com. Retrieved April 27, 2014, from http://www.federalnewsradio.com/394/3575132/Pentagon-seeks-new-out-of-pocket-charges-for-TRICARE-beneficiaries