Beginning April, 2005, the Department of Defense will implement TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) - a premium-based health care plan available for purchase by certain eligible members of the National Guard and Reserve who have been activated for a contingency operation on or after September 11, 2001. TRS will provide comprehensive health care coverage similar to TRICARE Standard and Extra for TRS members and their covered family members.

TRICARE Reserve Select is a new premium-based TRICARE health plan offered for purchase by certain members and former members of the Reserve Component* (RC) and their families, if specific eligibility requirements are met.

TRS coverage is available to eligible RC members who were called or ordered to active duty, under Title 10, in support of a contingency operation on or after September 11, 2001. RC Members and their Reserve Component unit will need to agree to for the member to stay in the Select Reserve for one or more whole years to qualify.

TRS coverage must be purchased. TRS members pay a monthly premium for health care coverage (for self-only or for self and family). Adjusted effective jan 1st each year, the premiums for calendar year 2005 are:

• $75.00 for TRS member-only coverage
  
• $233.00 for TRS member and family coverage
  
  

  *The Reserve Components include the Army National Guard, the Army Reserve, the Navy Reserve, the Marine Corps Reserve, the Air National Guard, the Air Force Reserve, and the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. For more information about the Reserve Component and the Selected Reserve, visit www.defenselink.mil