Each year, General Schedule and Nonappropriated Funds employees have designated period to make changes to their health insurance plans. This year, GS and NAF employees have until Dec. 12 to make changes to their health, dental and optical insurance plans. If you or your family members fit into these categories, it's a good idea to be aware of the opportunities available so you can plan and take action to cover your needs.
There are many insurance policies for all needs available at a range of prices. Although the U.S. Government does not endorse any one insurance plan over another, GS and NAF employees should take time to consider your needs and weigh the benefits of each plan as they apply to you and your family.
The basic reason for having a good insurance policy is that you and your family are able to afford healthcare when you need it. If you're a GS or NAF employee, take advantage of your time during open season to make good educated choices regarding your health insurance.
When considering whether to buy health insurance, it may be worthwhile to first consider your status. The U.S. military generally pays for healthcare services for active duty members. Reservists, if on orders for 30 days or longer, are treated the same as active duty.
Retirees, active duty and all of their family members may be covered by Tricare if they receive medical services at a military medical treatment facility if there are available appointments. Tricare, for active duty, retirees, and their family members, counts as insurance in regards to the Affordable Care Act.
Civilians, whether GS, NAF, contractors, or visiting family and friends, generally pay for healthcare services provided at military healthcare facilities with some exceptions, such as workman's compensation and occupational health visits in the case of Government employees.
What if services aren't available at your local military medical treatment facility? You may be a retiree and covered under Tricare, but you may need treatment not available at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) or your local military clinic. In this case, you would use your insurance to cover healthcare expenses not assumed by Tricare when you are treated on the economy.
The DD 2569, "Third Party Collections Program/Medical Services Account/Other Health Insurance Form", is the DOD's way of tracking healthcare insurance choices for all family members, retirees, and civilians receiving any healthcare from the DOD. If you are not active duty, you'll need to complete a DD 2569 annually. Complete a new DD 2569 also when there are any changes to your address, status or insurance plans.
Open season -- especially if you have made changes to your insurance plan -- is a perfect time to complete and submit a new DD 2569. When you complete the DD 2569, the DOD can directly bill your healthcare insurance company and then you will be billed for the unpaid balance. Even patients who don't have insurance must complete and submit a DD 2569 at least annually.
By completing the DD2569, you also provide DOD with your current mailing address so that appropriate billing can take place in a timely fashion. Patients with a current DD 2569 on file may avoid penalty late fees on medical bills.
When team members at your military medical treatment facility ask you to complete a new DD2569, they are trying to help you follow the required service regulations and U.S. law that require them to collect this information.
They're providing you a service in that they're trying to help you to pay no more than you are required to pay for your healthcare. If you have insurance, they're providing the opportunity to you to focus on your recuperation rather than requiring that you file your own claims with your insurance provider.
Here are a few tips to remember when completing your DD 2569:
- Complete a new DD 2569 when you have received your new health insurance card, cancelled a policy, or had status, address, phone or family changes.
- If you have health, dental, or optical insurance, your clinic will want to make and attach a copy of your insurance card(s) when you turn in your DD 2569.
- Make sure the address on your DD 2569 reflects your mailing address -- the same address where you would expect to receive a birthday card sent via the U.S. Postal Service.
- If you are seen at both Air Force and Army facilities in Europe, you will need to have a current DD 2569 (less than one year old) on file in each system.
- Family members with the same insurance plan may be listed on the back of your DD 2569, which makes the form good for both you and your family for one year.
The Third Party Collections Program point of contact for LRMC and Army Health Clinics in the LRMC footprint can be reached at DSN 590-4913 or Commercial 06371-9464-4913. If you have questions or concerns about a medical bill for services within a military treatment facility you have received, please contact the Europe Uniform Business Office (UBO) at DSN 590-7400 or Commercial 06371-9464-7400 or via e-mail at usarmy.sembach.medcom-rhc-e.mbx.ermc-eubo@mail.mil.
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