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                         April 12, 2002

Remote TRICARE implementation rescheduled for September

WASHINGTON (TRICARE Release) -- A "waived charges" benefit for active duty remote family members will remain in effect until September, when the TRICARE Prime Remote For Active Duty Family Members program is implemented.

The new benefit affects approximately 140,000 active duty sponsors and family members residing in TRICARE Prime Remote locations.

Authorized by the Fiscal Year 2001 National Defense Authorization Act, the program was scheduled to begin April 1.

"The interim ‘waived charges’ benefit, retroactive to Oct. 30, 2000, waives cost shares, co-payments and deductibles for active duty family members accompanying their sponsors to remote locations, said TRICARE officials.

Eligible sponsors and family members who have used this benefit may be reimbursed for care. To find out about eligibility call (888) 363-2273.

Once the benefit begins, enrollment of active duty family members will be voluntary and must be done through a network provider if one is available.

In areas where network providers are not available, family members will be required to use the services of authorized TRICARE providers, TRICARE officials added.