New Online Videos Help Military Families Understand Health Benefits

  • Published
  • By Elizabeth Hillestad
  • TriWest Healthcare Alliance
PHOENIX --  Grab the popcorn...military families throughout TRICARE's west region now have a new, easy way to learn about their healthcare benefits through one of America's favorite pastimes--the movies.

TriWest Healthcare Alliance--the Department of Defense contractor that administers TRICARE, the military's healthcare entitlement, in 21 western states--is expanding its beneficiary education program to include streaming videos designed to help service members and their families understand their healthcare benefits.

"TRICARE 2 You" video topics, which run an average of three minutes in a prime-time news format, include explanations of TRICARE plan options, how to access specialty care, behavioral health resources, pharmacy options and newborn enrollment, among others.

"We wanted to do whatever it takes to help our beneficiaries maximize use of their TRICARE benefit and avoid out-of-pocket costs," said David J. McIntyre, president and CEO of TriWest Healthcare Alliance. "This is especially useful for service members, particularly those in the National Guard and Reserve who live or work in rural areas without convenient access to military base resources."

Produced by TriWest, in partnership with TRICARE Regional Office-West, the videos are housed in the company's new "TRICARE 2 You Online Library" at www.triwest.com/T2U. The portal also includes eNewsletters and published articles that answer frequently asked questions about TRICARE topics, as well as links to related resources, enabling families throughout the west region to find answers to common healthcare questions anytime, from anywhere with an Internet connection.

TriWest is also making the videos available upon request to military treatment facilities across the west region that are equipped with DVD capabilities so patients waiting for appointments or prescriptions may view TRICARE 2 You videos while they wait.

For more information about TRICARE benefits or TriWest Healthcare Alliance, visit www.triwest.com or call 1-888-TRIWEST (874-9378).

TriWest Healthcare Alliance partners with the Department of Defense to do "Whatever It Takes" to support the healthcare needs of 2.7 million members of America's military family. A Phoenix-based corporation, TriWest provides access to cost-effective, high-quality health care in the 21-state TRICARE West Region. Visit www.triwest.com for more information