Defense Health Care: Challenges Facing DOD in Implementing Nationwide Managed Care - Government Accountability Office (GAO) report

Defense Health Care: Challenges Facing DOD in Implementing Nationwide Managed Care - GAO Report

Date:	April 19, 1994
Report No.:	T-HEHS-94-145
Pages:	14
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Subjects: Cost sharing (finance) Health care cost control Health care programs Health care services Health maintenance organizations Health resources utilization Military dependents Military personnel Military health services CHAMPUS CHAMPUS Reform Initiative Cost effectiveness analysis Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services Clinton Health Care Plan DOD Catchment Area Management Project DOD TRICARE Program Health Security Act National Health Care Reform Initiative Summary: The Defense Department (DOD) has made great strides in implementing TRICARE, its nationwide managed health care program. GAO commends DOD for tackling this ambitious but necessary undertaking. TRICARE embodies many of the lessons learned from DOD's managed health care demonstration projects over the last several years. GAO believes that it has the potential to improve beneficiary access to care, maintain high-quality care, and gain control of health care costs. Yet some analyses suggest that it is uncertain whether TRICARE will be more cost effective than other health care options available to DOD. Much will depend on TRICARE's benefit and cost-sharing packages, which DOD still needs to finalize. Also, several implementation and contracting issues remain unresolved.