Reserve Officers Association
Continuity of TRICARE Coverage
Resolution No. 10-19
WHEREAS, there has been increased utilization of the Guard and Reserve in support of operations and GAO Report 03-549T, Reserve Personnel Compensation states, “In fact, DoD has stated that no significant operation can be conducted without reserve involvement”;
WHEREAS, individuals perform duty in different categories and each category has medical coverage that begins and ends with that particular status, requiring reenrollment; and
WHEREAS, when members transition between several different categories to cover a period of time in support of the nation this causes a disruption of medical coverage; and
WHEREAS, GAO Report 03-1004, found, “In our prior work, we found that many reservists who did drop their civilian insurance and whose dependents did use TRICARE reported difficulties moving into and out of the system, finding a TRICARE provider, establishing eligibility, understanding TRICARE benefits, and knowing where to go for assistance when questions and problems arose”; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Reserve Officers Association, chartered by Congress, urge Congress to establish legislation that allows a Guard and Reserve member to elect the appropriate TRICARE coverage regardless of status which would ensure continuity of coverage.
Renewed by ROA National Convention on 10 February 2010
Adopted as 08-03 by National Council on 13 February 2008
Source: Department of the District of Columbia, Feb 2008