A. Beginning October 1, 2007, all eligible members of the Selected Reserve will qualify for coverage under the restructured TRICARE Reserve Select plan. A. Eligible members who were previously enrolled have a 60-day window from September 30 (when they became disenrolled from TRS) to purchase continuous TRS coverage retroactive to October 1. You must include a premium payment for each month of coverage. If you were previously enrolled in TRS, submit an enrollment application on November 16 and request coverage starting on October 1, you will have to include payment for the October, November and December premiums.

A. Any member of the Selected Reserve who is not independently eligible for or covered under a Federal Health Employee Benefits (FEHB) program is eligible to purchase TRS coverage.

A. Effective October 1, 2007 all members of the Selected Reserve qualify for TRICARE Reserve Select as long as the member remains in the Select Reserves and is not independently eligible for or covered under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program.

A. Yes. Because you are eligible for FEHB through your spouse and not independently eligible, you are eligible to purchase TRS coverage so long as you are not covered by FEHB.

A. No. You have coverage under an FEHB program, therefore you are not eligible to enroll into the TRS program.

No. Even if you do not currently have coverage, if you are eligible for an FEHB program on your own (not as a dependent of someone else) you are not eligible to purchase TRS coverage.

A. No. If you are eligible for an FEHB program, you are ineligible for TRS coverage.

A. Eligibility depends solely on the member, not the spouse. If you are otherwise eligible for TRS as a member of the Selected Reserve, you may purchase TRS Member-and-Family coverage under TRS.

A. Examples of those who are FEHB eligible include:

• Federal Employees
• The President
• Members of Congress
• Congressional employees
• D.C. employees before 1987
• Employee of Gallaudet College
• Employee of county committee est. under 16 USC 590h(b)
• Office staff of a former President or Vice President
• National Guard technicians
• Annuitants with FEHB eligibility:
• Retired Federal Employees
• Certain survivors
• Certain former spouses

More information and a more inclusive list can be found here

Q. Who can I contact if I need help finding out if I qualify for TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS)?

First, you should check your eligibility by accessing the Guard and Reserve Web Portal. You must log in and if your personal information there is not correct you must contact your servicing personnel office. Under the new program, all members of the National Guard and Reserve may qualify for the restructured TRS plan starting October 1, 2007 as long as they are in the Selected Reserve and not eligible for (or covered under) the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program as described in Chapter 89, USC 5.

Step 1: Qualify

1. Log on to the Guard and Reserve Web Portal. View the enrollment instructions PDF for assistance.
2. Click on the "TRICARE Reserve Select" box.
   • Select the type of coverage that you want to purchase: TRS Member-Only or TRS Member-and-Family
   • Certify that you are not eligible for or enrolled in the FEHB program
   • Select when you want your coverage to begin
3. Print and sign the TRS Request Form (DD Form 2896-1)

Step 2: Purchase
Mail or fax your completed TRS Request Form along with the first month's premium payment to TriWest Healthcare Alliance (or your regional contractor) by the applicable deadline.

Mail with one month’s premium payment to:
TriWest Healthcare Alliance
PO Box 42048
Phoenix,AZ 85080-2048

If you pay your monthly premiums with an automatic payment or electronic funds transfer, you can fax your application to TriWest. For a one-time credit card payment, fill out box 6 on the TRS Request Form and fax to:

1-866-441-8843

Your coverage begins on the first day of the first or second month (whichever you select on the TRS Request Form) following the postmark of your TRS Request Form.  For example, if your form is postmarked in July, you may choose for your coverage to begin on the first day of the next month, August, or on the first day of the second month, September.

A. If you cannot log into the Guard and Reserve Web Portal, you should confirm your eligibility with your Reserve Component POC. For technical assistance or to report system problems with access to the TRS Request Form, please call the DMDC Support Center at 1-800-3-RAPIDS (800-372-7437).

A. The restructured TRS plan offers Selected Reserve members the opportunity to purchase TRS coverage at any time throughout the year as long as the member remains eligible. If the request and premium payment is received (or postmarked) by the last day of the month, the effective date of TRS coverage will be either the first day of the next month, or the first day of the month after that (as indicated on the TRS Request Form).

A. TRS offers the following two types of coverage:

• TRS Member-Only coverage
• TRS Member-and-Family coverage

A. It is similar to TRICARE Standard coverage and has annual deductibles and cost-shares associated with medical services and an annual catastrophic cap applied to those costs. Eligible Reserve Component members must also pay a monthly premium to participate in the TRS program. These premiums are not applied towards the catastrophic cap.

• TRS Member-Only coverage is currently $81 per month
• TRS Member-and-Family coverage is currently $253 per month

Premiums are adjusted annually, effective January 1 each year. Members must submit an initial payment equal to one month's premium with their completed TRS Request Form to begin coverage.

A. You have three options for paying your monthly premiums:

• Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT)/Automatic Bank Withdrawal
• Automatic Credit/Debit Card Withdrawal
• Direct Billing (through the mail)

View your TriWest automatic payment options here.

A. TRICARE Reserve Select will be the secondary payer. After your other health insurance processes your claim, you will need to file a TRICARE claim form and include copies of the following:

• Your other health insurance's explanation of benefits
• The itemized charges from the provider

A. Yes, TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based health care plan you can use in any overseas area, with any host nation provider that accepts TRICARE.

A. TRS coverage is automatically terminated when a Selected Reserve member becomes eligible for other TRICARE coverage. The member does not have to take any action until he/she returns from deployment. You must re-enroll with your regional contractor if you want TRS coverage when you return.

A. Yes. Specific programs that aren't available under TRS are:

• TRICARE Reserve Family Member Demonstration Program
• Extended Care Health Option (ECHO)
• Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP)
• TRICARE Prime
• TRICARE Prime Remote
• TRICARE Prime Remote for ADFMs

A. It depends on the type of TRS coverage you currently have: TRS Member-and-Family or TRS Member-Only. In both cases, you must enroll your new child in DEERS and TRS within 60 days to ensure coverage.

If you already have TRS Member-and-Family coverage, newborns and adopted children are covered automatically by TRS for 60 days after the birth or adoption. Children can continue TRS with no break in coverage if the TRS Request Form (available only through the Guard and Reserve Web Portal) is received by TriWest within the first 60 days after the birth or adoption.

Since your family is already covered by the TRS family plan, you will not have to pay any additional premiums when enrolling the new child. For claims to be paid after the first 60 days, you must enroll the new child. If the TRS Request Form is not received or postmarked within the first 60 days, coverage for the child ends beginning on day 61.

If you have TRS Member-Only coverage, newborns or adopted children are not automatically covered and claims will not be paid until the newborn or adopted child is registered in DEERS and a TRS Request Form is received by TriWest or your TRICARE regional contractor.

If you want coverage retroactive to the date of the birth or adoption, you must submit a TRS Request Form switching your coverage and enrolling your family members in Member-and-Family coverage within 60 days of the birth or adoption. If the TRS Request Form is not received or postmarked within the first 60 days, all pended claims will be denied, and you are responsible to pay the total amount for all health care received by the child since birth or adoption.

When you change your TRS coverage from Member-Only to Member-and-Family, there is an increase in monthly premium amounts.

A. Yes, behavioral health services are covered once activated. However, it is important to note that you are treated as a full-time service member and must obtain approval from your commander. Visit TriWest’s Behavioral Health Portal for more information on service available in your area.

A. Do not stop making your monthly premium payments. You must cancel participation in TRS by notifying your regional contractor in writing. Non-payment is not the same as taking action to cancel coverage. In cases of non-payment, the participant's coverage will be terminated and the case turned over to the TRICARE Management Activity Office of General Counsel. Lockout for non-payment of premiums is one year or until the debt is paid in full, whichever is longer.