In recent months, several new programs have been implemented for TRICARE beneficiaries.

Health care for reserve retirees, mail order pharmacy services, online behavioral health services, and transitional care are among the most far-reaching provisions.

For starters, under a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2010, a program tentatively being called TRICARE Retired Reserve was passed to allow retired reservists the opportunity to purchase TRICARE health care coverage.

The retired reserve insurance affects more than 200,000 already retired reservists and about 12,000 service members who are retiring each year, according to statistics compiled by the Department of Defense.

Through the program, retired members of the National Guard and reserve units with 20 or more years of honorable service will be able to purchase the same health care that was available to them during their time in active service or after they reach 60 years of age.  Under this new provision they will be allowed to purchase TRICARE Standard and Extra coverage. Currently, reservist retirees who have retired but are not yet 60 years of age are not eligible for TRICARE.

Although there was speculation that the program would take 11 to 18 months to launch, the medical command, or MEDCOM, officials say that the program may start as soon as the summer or fall of 2010.

"TRICARE Retired Reserve should be a TRICARE Program option available in ART after February 22."  The intent is to roll out the program in late summer or early fall 2010, according to an e-mail from MEDCOM that was received by Sharon O'Malley, the chief of Medical Management for Madigan Army Medical Center earlier this month.

Another program recently initiated is the TRICARE Mail Order Pharmacy.  To utilize this program register online at www.express-scripts.com/ TRICARE and your prescriptions will be mailed to any address in the United States and its territories, including temporary and APO/FPO addresses.

The mail order pharmacy is the least expensive way to purchase medications if you do not have access to a Defense Department medical facility.

There are other benefits to using the program as well.

First, beneficiaries can receive a 90-day supply of most medications for the same co-pay as a 30-day prescription obtained from a retail pharmacy.  Also beneficiaries pay $3 for covered generic medications, $9 for brand-name medications and $22 for non-formulary medications through the mail-order pharmacy.

Also TRICARE has initiated online behavioral health programs in recent months.

Called the TRICARE Assistance Program, the first program is a Web-based behavioral health counseling program for service members, spouses and other beneficiaries who have a computer and a Webcam. Go online: www.triwest.com/beneficiary/behavioralhealth/onlinecare/triap.aspx).

The second initiative, called the Telemental Health Program, provides behavioral health care, including psychotherapy and medication management, through medically supervised, secure video conferencing at TRICARE facilities with offsite TRICARE network behavioral health care providers. Online at: www.tricare.mil/mental health/Telemental.aspx.

For more information about TRICARE updates and news, visit the Web site at www.tricare.mil.