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Wyoming Military Department proposes studies of Tricare mental-health accessibility and life-insurance benefits for state active duty
Summary
The Wyoming Military Department asked the committee to authorize two studies: a Tricare subsidy/market study to identify rate disparities blocking provider participation and a comparative study of Service Group Life Insurance benefits for members on state active duty to identify coverage gaps for families.
Major General Greg Porter and colleagues from the Wyoming Military Department presented two proposed interim studies. Lieutenant Colonel Eva Koski outlined plans to study discrepancies between Tricare reimbursement rates and commercial insurance rates for mental-health services and to quantify Tricare-eligible populations in Wyoming.
"We are exploring the possibility of doing a survey within the state of Wyoming of currently certified providers to get a better sense as to what services they're providing and the actual numbers of patients they're seeing that are eligible to receive Tricare," Koski said. The department plans de-identified, interagency data collection and coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs and expects to brief the committee on findings in May.
Rob Cain described a second study to compare death benefits available to Wyoming National Guard members on state active duty versus federal active duty to identify potential shortfalls and recommend remedies to ensure families receive comparable support.
Committee members asked whether the studies should involve Labor and Health or other committees; the department said it would coordinate interagency resources as needed and that the first briefings are planned for early May.
Next steps: the committee accepted both topics as study items and the department will return with study results and recommendations before potential legislation is drafted.
