HPSP and Tricare Reserve Select

[reticular]

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Are HPSP students and their families eligible for Tricare Reserve Select? It seems like my family could save a few bucks and get better coverage with this TRS than the insurance I can get from my school. Any thoughts?

I've heard this is possible, but I've never talked to anyone who has actually done it. From the Tricare website it appears there are several types of reservists and I'm not sure where HPSP fits in. Thanks.

 

[NavyFP]

Are HPSP students and their families eligible for Tricare Reserve Select? It seems like my family could save a few bucks and get better coverage with this TRS than the insurance I can get from my school. Any thoughts?

I've heard this is possible, but I've never talked to anyone who has actually done it. From the Tricare website it appears there are several types of reservists and I'm not sure where HPSP fits in. Thanks.

Sorry, TRS is not available to IRR members. You are eligible for the Concordia
Dental, but it is pricey for IRR members.

 

[DogFaceMedic]

Making Tricare available is a proposal currently at Ft Sam Houston. I don;t know if it has made its way to OTSG yet.

It is an idea with a lot of merit and could save millions, but requires the various interest groups within the bureaucracy to buy off on it.

 

[IgD]

It is an idea with a lot of merit and could save millions, but requires the various interest groups within the bureaucracy to buy off on it.

I'm not sure I understand your point. How would expanding benefits save millions?

 

[DogFaceMedic]

I'm not sure I understand your point. How would expanding benefits save millions?

Enrolling all HPSP into tricare would be significantly less expensive than the current practice of paying for the schools' sponsored insurance, which range from$1K to $3K. Adding about 3000 students to the existing Tricare infrastructure would not be that expensive.

Since each school's policies are different, generalizing aobut savings is not very accurate. Nonetheless, if there is $500-1K savings per student, the savings range from 1/2 to 2Million/yr.

But, the proposal needs analysis to see if the savings are really there. It would have the added benefit of letting students know how Tricare works for patients. And, perhaps, dissuade people from socialized medicine.

 

[IgD]

Enrolling all HPSP into tricare would be significantly less expensive than the current practice of paying for the schools' sponsored insurance, which range from$1K to $3K. Adding about 3000 students to the existing Tricare infrastructure would not be that expensive.

I don't agree. I think it would further stress an already stressed system.

But, the proposal needs analysis to see if the savings are really there. It would have the added benefit of letting students know how Tricare works for patients. And, perhaps, dissuade people from socialized medicine.

The other possibility is students would get a taste of Tricare, get cold feet and leave.

 

[DogFaceMedic]

I don't agree. I think it would further stress and already stressed system.

Adding a handful of people per region, which already serve hundreds of thousands, will not be too much.

The other possibility is students would get a taste of Tricare, get cold feet and leave.

Definately possible, maybe even likely. Nonetheless, I prefer truth in advertising so that there is not the culture-shock and disillusionment when they enter active duty.

 

[NavyFP]

Enrolling all HPSP into tricare would be significantly less expensive than the current practice of paying for the schools' sponsored insurance, which range from$1K to $3K. Adding about 3000 students to the existing Tricare infrastructure would not be that expensive.

Since each school's policies are different, generalizing aobut savings is not very accurate. Nonetheless, if there is $500-1K savings per student, the savings range from 1/2 to 2Million/yr.

But, the proposal needs analysis to see if the savings are really there. It would have the added benefit of letting students know how Tricare works for patients. And, perhaps, dissuade people from socialized medicine.

The idea that adding HPSP students to TRICARE would save money, doesn't hold water. You are assuming that it costs only $500 for TRICARE to cover the insurance costs and that every student is reimbursed for insurance. Neither is true. The average cost per enrollee of TRICARE is over $2000. Now HPSP students should all be young and relatively healthy, but family members would likely be thrown into the fray and many of them are not free from chronic conditions. Now, the money to cover the students would come from a different pot, so it would appear to save money, but overall balance sheet would be red.

 

[DogFaceMedic]

The idea that adding HPSP students to TRICARE would save money, doesn't hold water. You are assuming that it costs only $500 for TRICARE to cover the insurance costs and that every student is reimbursed for insurance. Neither is true. The average cost per enrollee of TRICARE is over $2000. Now HPSP students should all be young and relatively healthy, but family members would likely be thrown into the fray and many of them are not free from chronic conditions. Now, the money to cover the students would come from a different pot, so it would appear to save money, but overall balance sheet would be red.

It is a tricky business to compare budget allocations to real money, which is why it needs analysis. I doubt this forum has the server space to enter a discussion on DoD and Gov't budget policy and how they "account for dollars". How Tricare "bills" for enrolling someone is not the same as paying an insurance carrier $2-3K. One is an allocation, whereas the others is real dollars. So, this is comparing apples to oranges -- although still fruit.

I think the idea can save a lot with the added benefits of enrolling HPSP family members and letting future military docs learn the system. But, since there is so many moving parts, there is a reason it is under review.

 

[NavyFP]

It is a tricky business to compare budget allocations to real money, which is why it needs analysis. I doubt this forum has the server space to enter a discussion on DoD and Gov't budget policy and how they "account for dollars". How Tricare "bills" for enrolling someone is not the same as paying an insurance carrier $2-3K. One is an allocation, whereas the others is real dollars. So, this is comparing apples to oranges -- although still fruit.

I think the idea can save a lot with the added benefits of enrolling HPSP family members and letting future military docs learn the system. But, since there is so many moving parts, there is a reason it is under review.

While I will disagree on the cost issue. There are a number of reasons to do it. Increasing the overall benefit package for HPSP by adding TRICARE is good for recruiting, quality of life, and in cases where possible med boards exist an assist to the head offices for workups.

The idea has been batted around for the past 2 years or so, but with the uptick in recruiting, (Navy actually made goal this year) I think there will be less traction to increase benefits.

 

[Dr. Wexler]

but with the uptick in recruiting, (Navy actually made goal this year)

That's very interesting. I had no idea. Are people more willing to sign up because of the $20k up front and the ~$700/mo stipend increase?

 

[NavyFP]

That's very interesting. I had no idea. Are people more willing to sign up because of the $20k up front and the ~$700/mo stipend increase?

Certainly didn't hurt. That along with the slowdown in Iraq, downturn in the economy, and tightening of student loans (although that may not have hit just yet.) don't hurt recruiting either.

 

[IgD]

Have the recruiting targets/goals changed? When I came through the pipeline I think there was 400 HPSP scholarship recipients. How many are there per year now?

 

[DogFaceMedic]

While I will disagree on the cost issue. There are a number of reasons to do it. Increasing the overall benefit package for HPSP by adding TRICARE is good for recruiting, quality of life, and in cases where possible med boards exist an assist to the head offices for workups.

The idea has been batted around for the past 2 years or so, but with the uptick in recruiting, (Navy actually made goal this year) I think there will be less traction to increase benefits.

I don't know all of the financial/budget variables, so can't say anything with any degree of confidence.

By the way, it is nice to have an intelligent conversation on this forum.

 

[NavyFP]

Have the recruiting targets/goals changed? When I came through the pipeline I think there was 400 HPSP scholarship recipients. How many are there per year now?

225 HPSP
25 HSCP (Health Services Collegiate Program)

 

[Ltdoc]

I am speaking for the Army side. I attended and informational meeting and was told that beginning this year HPSP students and family members would be eligible for Tricare. I received all of the information to enroll my wife, but I'm running into a lot of red tape. My wife is registered in DEERS, but Tricare won't let us enroll because of my IRR status. I've received a lot of mixed info and no help. Any suggestions?

 

[NavyFP]

I am speaking for the Army side. I attended and informational meeting and was told that beginning this year HPSP students and family members would be eligible for Tricare. I received all of the information to enroll my wife, but I'm running into a lot of red tape. My wife is registered in DEERS, but Tricare won't let us enroll because of my IRR status. I've received a lot of mixed info and no help. Any suggestions?

I have not seen a change in the law. I still don't think you are eligible. (despite what the brief said.)