The expected start for the next generation of Tricare contracts has been delayed as a result of a lawsuit filed by Health Net over the Defense Health Agency’s decision to award the contract for the western half of the U.S. to TriWest Healthcare Alliance.
Under the DHA’s original timeline, the new contracts, which will be responsible for providing civilian health services to 9.6 million military personnel, retirees and their families, were scheduled to begin in August 2024.
But the 12-month turnover required for the anticipated start date has yet to begin, with the dispute now under consideration in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
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“As of this date, no T5 Transition-In activities have taken place,” DHA spokesman Peter Graves said in an email Tuesday, referring to the fifth generation of Tricare contracts, known as T5. “The Health Net Federal Services’ protest filed with the Court of Federal Claims remains pending.”
DHA officials previously have said there will be no disruption to patient care, given that the current contracts will remain in place. But planned improvements to Tricare, such as allowing patients to transfer specialty care referrals after a move regardless of Tricare region and improvements to customer service, won’t start until the new contract is in place.
After DHA awarded the Tricare East and West…
