The Military Officers Association of America is reporting that Congress averted the 25 percent cut in TRICARE (and Medicare) doctor payments that was set for January 1 – by putting TRICARE on life support until January 1, 2012.
Several groups, including Military.com and MOAA members, pressured the House and Senate to agree to a one-year stay of the 25 percent cut in TRICARE payments to doctors. Although the battle to keep the rates at current levels has been won, the war over TRICARE payment cuts is far from over. The payment rates drop by 30 percent on January 1, 2012 if nothing is done to correct the underlying problem, the statutory payment formula.
If Congress fails to come up with a real fix, these payment cuts are likely to result in fewer doctors being willing to take on TRICARE patients or participate as TRICARE Primary Care Providers.
