Bill could trim Tricare costs for retirees

[unhappycamper]

Bill could trim Tricare costs for retirees
By Stephen Losey - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Feb 25, 2009 17:56:23 EST

Military and federal civilian retirees would be able to pay their monthly health care premiums with pre-tax dollars under a bill introduced Wednesday.

Active federal employees now pay their premiums with pre-tax dollars under the so-called premium conversion benefit. One of the bill’s sponsors, Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., said extending the benefit to retirees is only fair.

“In these trying economic times, the need has never been greater to make health insurance more affordable for federal and military retirees,” Connolly said in a statement. “Federal and military retirees lose ground every year as health insurance premiums skyrocket, and this premium conversion bill will provide them with much-needed tax relief.”

Lawmakers say expanding premium conversion to retirees would save each participant $820 per year.

The bill would also allow active-duty military members to apply a pre-tax rebate to the supplemental insurance premiums many service members purchase to cover gaps in Tricare coverage.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/military_retireestricare_pretax_022609w/%2e

[izzie]

1. I really liked this program when I was under it.

I can not get over the waste out side of this program. It now takes me about 10 trips plus the work of about 25 people to do the same as I did with 5 people and a few hours at the tricare health hospital. It just floors me to see the waste of people and time, mine and theirs at the local place I now have to go to. I lost my tricare health plan.