NOTICE: Below listed messages are forwarded for the information of TRICARE West Region beneficiaries in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa (excluding Rock Island Arsenal area), Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri (except the St. Louis area), Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas (the southwestern corner, including El Paso), Utah, Washington and Wyoming. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% West Region Experiencing High Call Volume 4/2/2013 FALLS CHURCH, Va. - On April 1, 2013, UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans took over health care delivery in the 21-state TRICARE West Region. Since then, UnitedHealthcare experienced a very high volume of phone calls to its customer service lines, and high use of its new web portal by both beneficiaries and providers. Many of the questions have dealt with how the contract transition affects beneficiaries, or sought information about health care benefits. Remember, even though there is a new regional health care contractor, the TRICARE benefit remains unchanged. A few additional things to remember about referrals, authorizations and transition: . TriWest Healthcare Alliance authorizations are good until the end date or May 30, 2013, whichever comes first . TriWest maternity care authorizations are good for 312 days after the start date; the May 30, 2013 end date doesn't apply If a beneficiary needs care beyond May 30, they should ask their provider to submit a new referral for an authorization review and determination. And remember, in an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. UnitedHealthcare appreciates beneficiaries' patience in accessing these services during this busy initial period, and wait times are continuing to decrease each day. TRICARE and UnitedHealthcare hope beneficiaries and providers will continue to check back through UnitedHealthcare's extended call center hours of service from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. across all West Region time zones. For more information please read below listed message or go to www.tricare.mil/westtransition. %%%%%%%%%%%% West Region Transition ====================== April 1, 2013 was the first day of health care delivery for UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans' in the TRICARE West Region. UnitedHealthcare experienced very high volumes of phone calls and high use of its new web portal by beneficiaries and providers inquiring about the contract transition and seeking information about health care benefits. UnitedHealthcare appreciates patience in accessing these services during this busy initial period. We hope that you will continue to check back through UnitedHealthcare's extended call center hours of service from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. across all West Region time zones. All beneficiaries in the West Region should have already received a Welcome Packet from UnitedHealthcare. As the West Region contractor, UnitedHealthcare will: . Manage the West Region Provider Directory . Operate TRICARE Service Centers . Operate toll-free customer service call centers (1-877-988-9378) . Manages enrollment, authorization and claims processing for: .TRICARE Prime . TRICARE Prime Remote . TRICARE Standard and Extra . TRICARE Reserve Select . TRICARE Retired Reserve . TRICARE Young Adult . Distribute marketing and educational materials You will work closely with UnitedHealthcare on many issues, such as enrollment, referral and prior authorization requests, claims processing and customer service. Register online at www.uhcmilitarywest.com to track referrals, authorization, claims and much more. UnitedHealthcare will not provide customer service or support for TRICARE For Life (TFL), the US Family Health Plan or for pharmacy or dental benefits. Welcome Packets were sent to TFL beneficiaries as an announcement of a change in TRICARE in the West Region, but no action is required. WPS continues to serve as the TFL contractor, providing assistance with claims and customer service. If you have questions, contact WPS at 1-866-773-0404 or on their web site at www.tricare4u.com. ------- SOURCE: TRICARE News Releases at http://www.tricare.mil/Welcome/MediaCenter/News/Archives.aspx == HEALTH.MIL Mailing List == 1. The following options may be used to join\leave this mailing list: a. ONLINE OPTION: Online subscription\unsubscription options are available at: http://www.hostmtb.org http://www.hostmtb.org/hmil.html //www.freelists.org/list/health.mil b. E-MAIL OPTION: Subscription\unsubscription may be performed by sending an E-Mail message to the following address: (1) To subscribe to this mailing list, send an E-Mail message to HEALTH.MIL-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'subscribe' as the subject. (2) To unsubscribe, send an E-Mail message to HEALTH.MIL-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' as the subject. 2. If the above subscribe or unsubscribe procedures don't work or if you have questions, comments, etc., about this mailing list, please contact Milton.Bell126@xxxxxxxxx