Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities in TRICARE (Journal Article)

As a major provider of health care for racial and ethnic minority groups, the federal government is committed to eliminating health disparities. This study examined whether disparities exist in TRICARE, the Department of Defense (DoD) health coverage program for members of the uniformed services and their dependents. Using the 2007 Health Care Survey of DoD Beneficiaries, 2006 National Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Study Benchmarking Database, and 2007 National Healthcare Disparities Report, researchers analyzed measures of health status, access to care, satisfaction with care, and use of preventive services by race/ethnicity for active duty and retired TRICARE beneficiaries versus civilians. Although disparities exist among TRICARE beneficiaries with respect to health status and some measures of preventive care, black non-Hispanics and Hispanics appear to receive more equitable care under TRICARE than in the nation as a whole.