July 18, 2014
MOAA recently surveyed 12,000 military beneficiaries for their perceptions of the health care received within the Military Health System (MHS). The survey’s purpose is to assist DoD as it conducts a comprehensive 90-day review of the MHS to determine if it is troubled by any of the problems exposed in the recent VA health care scandal.
The review is focused on three primary areas; access to care, safety, and the quality of health care in military treatment facilities (MTFs) and the TRICARE network. The review is due to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on August 29.
72 percent of all respondents thought the military health system met their needs and the needs of their family.
Beneficiaries who received most of their care at MTFs felt the strongest that the military health system met their needs (82 percent) with those using the TRICARE network in a close second (80 percent).
Users of MTFs gave high satisfaction marks to the skills and competencies of medical providers and support staff, as well as the cleanliness of facilities. Almost 85 percent of MTF beneficiaries felt that there was a climate of patient safety where they received their care.
Two areas of concern for MTF users were the ability to get appointment times and the ability to get access to specialists.
Of those who experienced difficulty getting medical treatment over the past year, one in five experienced problems booking an appointment. One surveyor commented: “I have had my Primary Care Manager (PCM) change three times in the past year. I have had such hard times getting appointments because the PCMs are getting shifted around so much with the budget cuts. Waiting close to a month to get an appointment is really hard, especially when it isn't serious enough to go to the ER, but something you want taken care of soon.”
17 percent of those who had problems getting care at an MTF said that seeing a specialist was an issue.
Only 8 percent of beneficiaries using the TRICARE network reported problems booking appointments and seeing specialists.
MOAA plans to share the survey results and analysis with a full report to the DoD.
Our survey indicates TRICARE is consistently seen as a strong benefit. MOAA believes it’s a necessary benefit to attract and retain high-quality personnel for careers in uniformed service despite the unique and arduous service conditions imposed.
As the Senate prepares to consider proposals to increase TRICARE pharmacy copays in the upcoming defense bill debate, we ask you send your senators a MOAA-suggested message asking them to resist these short-sighted budget driven cuts to military health care.