Provision in the Proposed Defense Department Budget for FY 2012

Because of our commitment to you, our beneficiaries, as well as to quality, sustainable health care, we want to make you aware of a provision in the proposed Defense Department budget for Fiscal Year 2012 that if implemented would impact future US Family Health Plan beneficiaries.

As we currently understand it, the proposal would not impact current US Family Health Plan members. For future members, it would terminate their eligibility to participate in the US Family Health Plan program upon reaching age 65. Since the proposal would require a change in the current law, it would need to be debated and passed by Congress to take effect.

US Family Health Plan leaders are in the process of reviewing the proposal, and will be monitoring it closely as it is considered by Congress. We are concerned about the impact this proposal may have on our ability to provide high-quality care to all of our beneficiaries throughout their lives. We believe Congress shares this concern, we will be sure that Congress is informed about and understands these concerns, and we look forward to working with Congress on this important issue.

US Family Health Plan continues to be the highest rated health care plan in the military health system, with 91% of members reporting high satisfaction, 45% higher than the national average of health plans. We believe, as the President has said he does, that Americans who like the health care coverage they have should be able to keep it.

The proposal, as stated, would not save the government any money. It would simply shift most of the cost of the health care for beneficiaries aged 65 and over to Medicare.

As we have done over the entire 30-year history of our program, we will continue to be advocates for all of the military families and retirees we proudly serve through our longstanding focus on high-quality health care, access and superior customer service.

Please contact your plan directly with any questions or concerns.

About the US Family Health Plan

US Family Health Plan is a TRICARE Prime option available to families of active duty military, retirees and their eligible family members, including those age 65 and over, through networks of community-based hospitals and physicians in six areas of the country.

US Family Health Plan enrollment is offered through:

• JOHNS HOPKINS COMMUNITY PHYSICIANS | 1-888-400-4200
  Serving central Maryland and parts of Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia
• MARTIN’S POINT HEALTH CARE | 1-888-241-4556
  Serving Maine and New Hampshire
• BRIGHTON MARINE HEALTH CENTER | 1-800-818-8589
  Serving central and eastern MassachUSetts, including Cape Cod, and Rhode Island
• SAINT VINCENT CATHOLIC MEDICAL CENTERS | 1-800-241-4848
  Serving parts of New York, all of New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania and southern
• Connecticut CHRISTUS HEALTH | 1-800-678-7347
  Serving southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana
• PACIFIC MEDICAL CENTERS | 1-888-958-7347
  Serving the Puget Sound area of Washington State

For more information, visit the US Family Health Plan Web site.