New TRICARE Reserve select program begins Oct. 1 Published Sept. 24, 2007 By TriWest Healthcare Alliance WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Oct. 1 marks the first day of a new and simplified TRICARE Reserve Select health care plan. Current TRS members who do not enroll into the restructured program risk losing continuous TRICARE coverage for themselves and their families, as active re-enrollment is required and is not automatic. The current TRS program ends Sept. 30. Current Enrollees Eligible members will have immediate continuous TRICARE coverage during the switch from the old plan when they: - Log into the Guard and Reserve Web Portal (https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/trs/) - Confirm eligibility for the new TRS program - Print out and sign the TRS Request Form (DD Form 2896-1) - Mail the document along with one month's premium payment to TriWest Healthcare Alliance (P.O. Box 42048, Phoenix, Ariz. 85080-2048) postmarked no later than Sept. 30. - Or fax the enrollment form to TriWest (credit card payments only, fill out box 6 on the TRS Request Form) at 1-866-441-8843 no later than Sept. 30. The monthly premium amount will be automatically adjusted to the new rate (currently $81 per month for individual coverage and $253 per month for family coverage) for current TRS enrollees who pay by recurring credit card or electronic funds transfer. The Department of Defense may adjust the premium each Jan. 1. Visit the "Online Payment" link at www.triwest.com to set up automatic monthly premium payments. After Active Duty TRS coverage is suspended while the enrolled member is on active duty or while otherwise covered by a TRICARE program without a premium (TRICARE Prime, Standard and Extra). Even when suspended, the current TRS coverage will end Sept. 30. The non-premium TRICARE coverage will be unaffected, but when that coverage ends, the eligible member must enroll into the new TRS program by completing the steps outlined above within 60 days. For example, if the member's other TRICARE coverage ends Oct. 28, TriWest must receive the completed paperwork by Dec. 27, for the TRS coverage to be made effective Oct. 29. Online Resources A briefing video explaining the new TRS program is now available on TriWest's Guard and Reserve Resource Center. From the www.triwest.com homepage, follow the Guard and Reserve link on the left menu. Navigate to the briefing videos through the Video Library section. Important Contact Information Enroll in TRICARE Reserve Select - https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/trs/ Difficulty with Accessing Guard and Reserve Portal - 1-800-3-RAPIDS (800-372-7437) Reserve Component Points of Contact - www.defenselink.mil/ra/html/tricare.html TriWest Healthcare Alliance - www.triwest.com or 1-888-TRIWEST (888-874-9378) TriWest TRS Enrollment Fax - 1-866-441-8843 TriWest's Guard and Reserve Resource Center - www.triwest.com/unauth/content/ngr/ TRICARE - www.tricare.mil