ANNUAL TRICARE RESERVE SELECT (TRS) COMMUNICATION PLAN
Date Signed: 2/3/2016 | MARADMINS Number: 054/16
MARADMINS : 054/16

R 031815Z FEB 16
MARADMIN 054/16
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA RA//
SUBJ/ANNUAL TRICARE RESERVE SELECT (TRS) COMMUNICATION PLAN//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/DOD/YMD:20120731//
NARR/REF A IS DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INSTRUCTION 1241.06, TRICARE RESERVE SELECT (TRS) PROGRAM.//
POC/K. J. CONANT/MAJ/CMC(RA)/-/TEL: 703-784-9138//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. In accordance with the reference, the purpose of this message is to publish the Marine Corps Annual TRS Communication Plan and to reiterate the requirement to report completion of annual TRS training for members of the Selected Reserve via the Unit Training Module (UTM) within Marine Corps Training Information Management System (MCTIMS).
2. The TRS Communication Plan is directed towards all levels of leadership. Per the reference, members of the Selected Reserve are required to receive an annual explanation of the TRS qualification criteria, TRS program and Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program exclusion, and TRS benefits and costs.
3. Execution. The following information is an explanation of the TRS program.
    a. TRS Qualification and Exclusion Criteria. In order to qualify for TRS coverage, Selected Reserve members must:
       (1) Have not been called or ordered to active service for more than 30 consecutive days.
       (2) Be a member of the Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR) or a member of the Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) program.
       (3) Not be covered under early Tri-Care benefits prior to being mobilized in support of a contingency.
       (4) Not be covered under the Transition Assistance Management Program or the “Transition Assistance 180” rule.
       (5) Not be eligible for or enrolled in the FEHB program or currently covered under FEHB, either under their own eligibility or through a family member.
    b. TRS Costs.  The member is responsible for monthly premiums, annual deductible, and cost share (or percentage) for covered services.  The TRS premium rates are established annually on a Calendar Year (CY) basis in accordance with Title 10, United States Code, Section 1076D and Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations part 199.24.  The TRS monthly premiums for CY 2016 are established as follows:
       (1) Forty-seven dollars and ninety cents for TRS member-only.
       (2) Two hundred and ten dollars and eighty-three cents for TRS member and family.
    c. TRS Benefits.  TRS is a comprehensive health care option offered by TRICARE.  It fulfills the minimum essential coverage mandate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and, if purchased, will avoid penalties from being imposed for not having minimum essential healthcare coverage.
    d. TRS Enrollment.  Qualified members may purchase TRS coverage to begin the first day of any month.  To purchase TRS, log on to the TRS program website at https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/trs.
       (1) Initial enrollment requires a two-month premium payment by check, money order/cashier's check or a debit/credit card.  In addition, the member is required to setup automatic monthly payment for monthly premiums.  The member has the option to set up an electronic funds transfer or use recurring debit or credit card charge.  Once enrolled, it is the responsibility of the individual member to update information concerning any changes which may occur while enrolled in TRS (e.g. addition of dependents, change in primary address, change in payment method, change in FEHB eligibility, etc.).
4. Training Responsibilities.
    a. SMCR Unit Commanders. Provide a copy of this Communication Plan to each member assigned to the unit.  In addition, the unit can request a TRS brief, in coordination with the appropriate TRICARE Regional Office (TRO) and Managed Care Support Contractor (MCSC).  SMCR Commands should contact the appropriate TRO at least fifteen days in advance to schedule the annual TRS briefings at the unit location at no cost to the unit.  If an MCSC or TRO representative is not available, unit commanders or other training staff are authorized to deliver the brief without assistance.  TRS briefing and other educational materials are available at www.tricare.mil/briefings.  Additional educational assistance may be requested through the appropriate TRO Reserve Liaison, point of contact information to follow (paragraph 4c of this MARADMIN).
    b. IMA Program Operational Sponsors (OpSponsor). Provide a copy of this Communication Plan to each member assigned to the command’s IMA program.  In addition, the OpSponsor should encourage the member to consult with the TRS website at http://www.tricare.mil/trs in order to obtain further information, as required.  Additional educational assistance may be requested through the appropriate TRO Reserve Liaison, point of contact information to follow (paragraph 4c and 4d of this MARADMIN).
    c. SMCR Commanders and IMA OpSponsors who wish to request TRS training can do so by completing and submitting a training request form that is located on the following websites.  Upon submission of the request, allow two business days for processing at which time you may contact the TRO Reserve liaison if you have not received a response.
       (1) TRO North: http://www.tricare.mil/tronorth/request.cfm. POC: Ms. Eileen Mejia, Comm: 703-275-6219 or email: eileen.m.mejia.civ(at)mail.mil
       (2) TRO South: http://www.tricare.mil/trosouth/requestform/default.aspx.  POC: Mr. Mac Sanders, Comm: 228-376-4371 or email: billy.sanders(at)us.af.mil
       (3) TRO West: http://www.tricare.mil/trowest/request.cfm. POC: Ms. Laura D’Antin, Comm: 619-236-5325 or email: laura.m.dantin.civ(at)mail.mil
    d. OpSponsors responsible for IMA members in Hawaii or Alaska fall within the TRICARE West region and will contact TRO West Reserve Liaison, Ms. Laura D’Antin, for assistance.  OpSponsors outside of the Continental United States will request TRS training support by contacting their TRICARE Area Office (TAO).
       (1) TAO Eurasia-Africa: Comm: DSN 314-590-2999.
       (2) TAO Pacific: Comm: DSN 315-645-9155.
5. Documentation of Training.  Unit training representatives and OpSponsors must document the completion of this mandatory training by submitting a training event code of “DI TRICARE Reserve Select Annual Brief” via MCTIMS. In the event that reporting via MCTIMS is not available, attendance rosters should then be provided to unit administrators in order to document training completion via unit diary by reporting TTC 483 000 training event code (DI) with an English description of “TRICARE Reserve Select Annual Brief.”
6. For additional information on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), sponsors and family members should consult healthcare.gov as the authoritative source for information concerning choices available to them under the ACA and for instructions about enrolling in healthcare coverage through their state health insurance marketplace.  Additional information concerning TRICARE is available at www.tricare.mil/smart.
7. This MARADMIN is applicable to the Selected Reserve.
8. Release authorized by Col R. T. Tobin, Director, ReserveAffairs Division, Acting.//