Present and retired service members who are not enrolled in TRICARE Prime encounter more difficulty seeking health care services than those who are, according to a March 31 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). TRICARE Prime, which requires enrollment, allows participants to use civilian provider networks. Service members and others eligible for TRICARE coverage who do not elect to participate in TRICARE Prime can receive care through TRICARE Standard, or from TRICARE Extra, which offers access to network providers. National Guard and reserve members can also opt to pay for TRICARE Reserve Select coverage, which offers benefits similar to TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra. Those not covered by TRICARE Prime, referred to by GAO as non-enrolled beneficiaries, "experienced problems accessing care from network or non-network primary care providers than beneficiaries in surveyed areas where TRICARE Prime is not offered," GAO said in the report. The conclusion was based on analysis of 2008 Defense Department surveys of TRICARE beneficiaries. The surveys also showed that many providers were reluctant to cover any TRICARE beneficiaries, regardless of which coverage option they selected.
