MINNEAPOLIS, July 24, 2008 - Minnesota physicians have responded in large numbers to a call from the MMA and others for them to treat soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

In 2006, state leaders became concerned that soldiers returning from overseas conflicts might not have access to physicians because only 1,500 doctors accepted Tricare, the health plan for active duty soldiers, National Guard and Reserve members, and retired members of the military and their eligible family members.

Today, about 6,500 Minnesota physicians accept Tricare, according to Scott Celley, vice president of external affairs for TriWest HealthCare Alliance, which administers the health plan on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense.
“We are very pleased with the progress that has been made,” he says. “We think we have a very robust network to care for the military veterans, National Guard members, and their families.”

Celley also says he was relieved that Congress stopped the scheduled decrease in reimbursement for Medicare and Tricare, as such a cut would have weakened the network. “It was very much our view that if Congress had not reversed the cut, we would have seen a significant exodus of providers,” he says.

Although the recruitment drive was a success, Tricare still encourages physicians to join its network of providers, Celley says,  explaining that more physicians are needed today than in the past because the program has been expanded to include National Guard members and their families. About 65,000 Minnesotans are now eligible for the benefit.

Physicians can learn about joining the Tricare network by calling 651/662-3484.