TRICARE: implications for military executive management education--a review of current data

The Military Health Services System (MHSS) is undergoing major modifications brought about by the Department of Defense health care reform program (TRICARE), a dynamic, multi-dimensional reform initiative affecting health care delivery to eligible beneficiaries. Military managers of the MHSS are currently being impacted by the changes secondary to the implementation of TRICARE. By reviewing needs assessments conducted with these managers, surveying currently available programs and curricula aimed at military health care manager development, and examining the TRICARE concept, it is clear that executive education must be adapted to fit the needs of those who will manage this newly designed and rapidly evolving health care system. This report summarizes current military executive education options and specifically examines the Naval Postgraduate School Executive (Medical) Management Education (EME) Program. This EME Program can support military medical treatment facility and lead agents (Health Service Regions) executive managers in the execution of their TRICARE mission.