need information

[j-rome]

I have a question about the national guard healthcare benefits for familiy members. Does the national guard have a health care program for soldiers and their families even when I'm not on active duty? I have been on active duty for 4 years in the regular army and I'm switching over and I was told that the national guard just started a new health care plan to cover families and soldiers not just during drill. Is that true?

[AbnMtn]

I've heard rumors about medical coverage for the National Guard but as of now that's all they are: rumors. The only National Guard members who get full medical are the AGR.

[VTguard]

Here's the email I just received regarding Tricare coverage for traditional Guardsmen. It is still in the begining stages, but it looks like coverage is on the way:

GREAT NEWS!!!! Congress (FY06 NDAA) changed the law so every Guard and Reservist and their eligible family members can purchase TRICARE Reserve Select. We have not received the specifics on this change but have been invited to a conference on May 23rd that will outline the program and implementation rules to us.

Right now we know that TRS will be broken out into 3 tiers:

· Tier 1 - is the current TRS benefit for certain Reserve Component members who have served in support of a contingency operation for 90 days or more and commit to a continued service in the Selected Reserve. The premium is on a 25% basis.

· Tier 2 - will be for eligible recipients of unemployment compensation, self employed, or in a group of employees not eligible for an employer-provided healthcare program on a 50% premium basis.

· Tier 3 - will be for all members not eligible for Tier 1 or 2 on a 85% premium basis.

Again...We do not know the specifics on the program or what the actual premium numbers are. We will send out detailed information upon our return from the conference.

Stay tuned!

[AbnMtn]

This is great news as it would provide applicants another incentive to join the Guard!

Thank you for the heads up, SSG Fletcher.