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"Tricare for Life is green -- all signs are go" for the program to begin October 1, Air Force Col. Frank Cumberland of the Tricare Management Agency said. TFL will extend Tricare benefits to Medicare-eligible military retirees and spouses who are enrolled in Medicare Part B. Tricare will become a second payer to Medicare. This will end their need to pay many out-of-pocket expenses, and thus the need for most to buy "Medigap" supplemental insurance, Tricare officials said. The only requirements for beneficiaries are that they check their enrollment information in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System and that they be enrolled in Medicare Part B. Lillie assured beneficiaries that the program will begin on schedule even if Congress and the president haven't yet agreed upon the fiscal 2002 Defense Appropriations Act (Congress unanimously has approved an extension of current spending authority until at least mid-October while they work on next year's funding legislation, and President Bush is expected to sign it.) Beneficiaries and providers should call 1-888-DOD-LIFE (1-888-363-5433) for information on the expanded benefit. |
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