Tricare benefits available for Traditional Guardsmen Published March 3, 2009 MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. -- The Tricare Reserve Select is a premium-based health plan available to Airmen at 28 percent of the premium cost. TRS offers coverage similar to Tricare Standard (and Tricare Extra) with the active duty family member deductibles and cost shares applied to both the Selected Reserve member and family members under the TRS plan. The plan offers all Selected Reserve Airmen the option of obtaining coverage for member only or member and family. To be eligible to purchase coverage, Airmen must be serving in the Selected Reserve on the first day of coverage and must remain in the Selected Reserve for the entire period covered. There is no limitation on how long you may obtain coverage as long as qualification requirements are met. Tricare Reserve Select benefits include routine outpatient care (doctors' office visits); inpatient care (hospitalization); urgent and emergency care, including ambulance services; family health care, including preventive screenings and immunizations; maternity services; behavioral health care, including partial hospitalization and residential treatment; annual eye exams; laboratory and radiology services; durable medical equipment and supplies; and prescription drug coverage. To participate in TRS, Airmen and their family members must be registered in Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). If not already registered, they should go to the nearest MPF - DEERS/RAPIDS location or call the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office at 800-538-9552 or go to the Web site www.tricare.osd.mil/deeraddress to update information or register. TRS is available to all Airmen of the Selected Reserve regardless of any active duty served, with one exception: If Airmen are eligible for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program (as defined in Chapter 89 of Title 5 U.S.C) or are currently covered under FEHB, either under their own eligibility or through a family member, they are excluded from purchasing the restructured TRS plan. Once Airmen qualify, they may purchase the plan at any time throughout the year. Qualifying for and purchasing TRS is a 2-step process: Step 1: Qualify 1. Log on to the Guard and Reserve Web Portal. 2. Click on the "RC member" and log in. Select the type of coverage that you want to purchase: TRS Member-Only or TRS Member-and-Family. Certify they are not eligible for or enrolled in the FEHB program. Select coverage start date. 3. Print and sign the TRS Request Form (DD Form 2896-1) and send it in. Step 2: Purchase Mail or fax completed TRS Request Form along with the first month's premium payment to regional contractor as soon as possible. Monthly premium rate is determined by the type of coverage purchased: TRS Member-Only or TRS Member-and-Family. NEW PREMIUMS EFFECTIVE 1 JANUARY 2009: - Member only $47.51 per month - Member & family $180.17 per month Premiums can be paid by check, money order or cashier's check (payable to regional contractor), or by Visa®/MasterCard®. After the initial premium payment, the regional contractor will bill by the 10th of each month. Payments are due no later than the 30th of each month, and payments are applied to the following month of coverage. Do not miss payment; failure to pay overdue amounts by the deadline will result in termination of coverage and debt collection. For more information, go to http://www.tricare.mil.