Tricare Cost Share Waiver Declared Illegal

Tricare officials have reminded service beneficiaries who use Tricare Standard and Extra that they are responsible under law to pay annual deductibles and cost-shares associated with their care. The law prohibits health care providers from waiving Tricare beneficiary deductibles or cost-shares and requires providers to make reasonable efforts to collect these amounts. Health care providers who offer to waive deductibles and cost-shares or who advertise they will do so may be investigated for program abuse and suspended or excluded as authorized providers. According to Rose M. Sabo, Director, Tricare Program Integrity, Tricare Management Activity, “Tricare prohibits any scheme designed to waive a patient’s deductible or cost-share.” Beneficiaries should contact their local Tricare Service Center for more information on deductibles and cost-shares. A list of Tricare Service Centers and telephone numbers is located at http://www.tricare.osd.mil/tricareservicecenters/default.cfm. Beneficiaries suspecting provider or insurance fraud may report it by e-mailing fraudline@tma.osd.mil.