West Region Transition : UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans will begin to provide health care for TRICARE in the West Region starting April 1, 2013. Meanwhile, TriWest continues to serve the 2.9 million beneficiaries in the West Region through March 31, 2013.
Continuity of care remains a top TRICARE priority, and UnitedHealthcare will make every effort to conduct a smooth transition. However, some TRICARE Prime and Prime Remote enrollees may have to change their primary care manager when the new contract begins. UnitedHealthcare will have more information about the West Region provider network mid-February.
As we move towards the start of health care delivery on April 1st, here is what beneficiaries can expect:
February: Beneficiaries begin receiving Welcome Kits from UnitedHealthcare
February 15: New toll-free customer service lines and Web site operational with minimal functionality
March 15: Deadline for establishing automatic payments with UnitedHealthcare for enrollment fees or monthly premiums (to ensure no break in coverage)
April 1: Health care delivery under new contract begins
Customer Service: During the Transition: During the transition, TriWest and UnitedHealthcare will share the customer service responsibility.
On February 15 2013, UnitedHealthcare’s toll-free number and Web site will become operational. UnitedHealthcare will be able to assist with enrollments effective April 1, 2013 and later and answer questions about the transition and any transition-related correspondence.
For other general customer assistance (including authorizations, referrals, claims, benefits, and eligibility) with dates of service up to March 31, 2013, please contact TriWest http://www.triwest.com/> at 1-888-TRIWEST (1-888-874-9378).
On April 1, 2013, UnitedHealthcare’s customer service can answer your health care questions over the phone, online and in person at TRICARE Service Centers.
Send your questions to askthedoc@nellis.af.mil.
