"Oregon Offers Tax Credit Incentives to Health Care Providers Serving Military Families

FALLS CHURCH, "Va. (Aug. 8, 2007)  — The leadership of the state of "Oregon took a mighty step forward in their unprecedented efforts to help TRICARE beneficiaries receive the health care they deserve.  A bill-signing ceremony was part of the fanfare surrounding the legislation, which features a tax incentive package that encourages health care providers to support military families by participating in TRICARE, the health care plan for the uniformed services, retirees, and their families.

The incentives include a one-time tax credit of $2,500 for new providers in the TRICARE system, plus an additional annual credit for treating patients enrolled in TRICARE.  It also creates a deduction from federal taxable income in the first two years of a provider's participation in the TRICARE system.

"The potential to add providers who participate in TRICARE is significant news for Oregon’s military families and retirees, especially those who live in rural areas and towns—places that many Oregon National Guard and Reserve members call home," said Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, Deputy Director, TRICARE Management Activity.

TriWest Healthcare Alliance, the managed care support contractor for the TRICARE benefit in "Oregon and 20 other western states, applauded the efforts of Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski and the "Oregon legislature.

"Oregon is leading the way in encouraging providers to serve the families that are defending our nation," said TriWest President and CEO David J. McIntyre, Jr.  "We have worked very hard to bolster the robust provider network in "Oregon and now "Oregon’s leadership has given providers significant incentives to join the TRICARE provider network."

TriWest has been conducting a proactive campaign to enlist state governors in their service area to support active duty, retiree and Guard and Reserve families by encouraging physicians to accept patients with TRICARE.

With the encouragement and support of state leadership, the Oregon War Veterans Association and the Oregon Medical Association, TriWest Healthcare Alliance has increased the TRICARE provider network in "Oregon by 35 percent since the fall of 2004.  There are currently more than 9,000 providers serving the 65,000 TRICARE beneficiaries in "Oregon.

"Increased availability of health care providers will become even more important as an improved TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) health care program launches this fall," said Maj. Gen. Granger.

TRS offers a premium-based health care plan to National Guard and Reserve members.  Starting Oct. 1, 2007, all eligible members of the Selected Reserve will be able to purchase health care coverage under the new TRS and all will pay the same low monthly premium.  The current TRS plan, which remains in effect through Sept. 30, has a complex three-tier system requiring activation in support of a contingency operation, among others, to qualify for the lowest monthly premiums.

Members of the Selected Reserve can visit www.tricare.mil for more information on the improved TRS program.