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As a possible means of reducing Department of Defense (DOD) expenditures, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has recommended a cost sharing “option” for TRICARE for Life (TFL) beneficiaries.
TFL was introduced in 2002 to supplement Medicare for military retirees and their family members eligible for Medicare. Currently, TFL covers nearly all medical costs not covered by Medicare with very few out-of-pocket fees. The option proposed by CBO would have TFL beneficiaries responsible for the first $525 of calendar year expenses beginning in 2011, and 50% percent of the next $4,725 in Medicare cost sharing expenses incurred by the beneficiary. These dollar limits would be indexed to growth in average Medicare costs for later years. CBO also recommends that TFL beneficiaries reimburse DOD for treatment and pharmaceutical services received at military treatment facilities.
NGAUS and other military support organizations have fought hard to expand TRICARE benefits for our retirees who currently must wait until age 60 to qualify for TRICARE benefits. TRICARE for Life also provides welcomed relief to the financial pressures many of our members must bear while they await military retirement pay or medical benefits.
For the TRICARE for Life benefit to remain meaningful to military retirees, Congress must not burden TFL beneficiaries with the out-of-pocket costs as is being proposed as an option by CBO.
Contact your congressional delegation and urge them to oppose any effort to introduce the cost sharing option recommended by the Congressional Budget Office.
TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTION:
By using the “Write to Congress” feature provided below, you can IMMEDIATELY e-mail your elected representatives. A sample letter is included in our “Write to Congress” feature. You can e-mail the pre-written message or edit the sample letter as you desire. This is the quickest and most effective method of expressing your views to Congress. Also, contact your friends and family and urge them to “Write to Congress” as well. For more in-depth information and background visit our web site at http://www.ngaus.org/.
Please direct any questions concerning this issue to Pete Duffy, NGAUS Deputy Legislative Director and NGAUS Joint Programs Manager at 202-454-5307 or email: pete.duffy@ngaus.org. | 
