Access to Health Care Among TRICARE-Covered Children

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Pediatric Health Policy
• Military Health System

Background:

• TRICARE, the U.S. Department of Defense's health insurance program, covers nearly 2 million children.
• Previous studies indicated access barriers for TRICARE-covered children, particularly those frequently relocating or with special health care needs.
• Pediatric patient experiences with TRICARE have not been systematically measured since 2010.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze national survey data to identify differences in pediatric health care access for TRICARE-covered children compared to other insurance groups.
• To examine variations in access based on TRICARE plan type, frequency of relocation, and presence of special health care needs.
• To inform improvements in the Military Health System and support programs for military families.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of national survey data comparing caregivers of TRICARE-covered children with those of children with commercial, public, or no insurance.
• Evaluation of access to pediatric care, referrals, care coordination, and financial barriers.
• Stratified analyses by TRICARE plan, relocation frequency, and special health care needs status.

Main Results:

• TRICARE-covered children experience challenges in accessing pediatric care, notably those with frequent moves or special health care needs.
• Identified variations in access and care experiences across different TRICARE plans.
• Highlighted disparities in care coordination and financial burden among specific subgroups.

Conclusions:

• Updated data confirm persistent challenges in pediatric care access for TRICARE beneficiaries, especially vulnerable populations.
• Findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve care delivery within the Military Health System.
• Recommendations support enhancing support for military families facing relocation and those with children requiring specialized health care.