In an effort to bolster health care access and services for military personnel and their families scattered throughout Alaska, the Pentagon on Feb. 1 plans to start a three-year test during which Tricare will offer physicians reimbursement at 1.35 times above standard Tricare rates. According to a Tricare Management Activity release, the decision to run the test stems from an “overall scarcity of providers, their reluctance to accept Tricare payment rates, transportation issues, and other factors.”
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach told lawmakers Apr. 30 that the service’s biggest airlifter, the C-5 Galaxy, has a 37 percent mission capable rate—one of several challenges facing the mobility fleet.