Kiggans Demands Answers on TRICARE Failures on Behalf of Military Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) led several of her colleagues in sending a letter to Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland, the Director of the Defense Health Agency (DHA), inquiring about ongoing TRICARE East reimbursement failures and their effects on our military families and community medical providers.

Over the past week, several constituents and concerned providers have reached out to Congresswoman Kiggans’ office highlighting significant issues regarding their TRICARE compensation. As a Navy veteran and nurse practitioner, Congresswoman Kiggans is committed to holding the DHA accountable for compensating the hardworking healthcare providers who provide critical care for our military members and their families. She awaits a prompt, thorough response from Lt. Gen. Crosland that details an immediate plan to resolve these failures.

“We have heard directly from many concerned providers and military families, stating that the new T-5 contract has resulted in severe challenges with providers across the nation reporting millions of dollars in claims going unpaid or unprocessed,” said the lawmakers. “Some have not received any payment since the beginning of the year, while others have received checks that were placed on hold by their banks. This cash flow crisis puts smaller practices at immediate risk of closure, jeopardizing access to care for thousands of military families across the country.”

“Failing to rectify these reimbursement issues will place an undue burden on those who have already sacrificed so much for our nation,” they continued. “It is imperative that the Department work to restore TRICARE payment services immediately allowing providers to remain operational and continue caring for those who have served our great nation.”

The Congresswoman’s letter was cosigned by Representatives Rob Wittman (VA-01), John McGuire (VA-05), Mike Turner (OH-10), Seth Moulton (MA-06), and James Moylan (GU-At Large).

You can find the full letter here and below.

Dear Lieutenant General Crosland, 

We write to express our deep concerns regarding the devastating impact of ongoing TRICARE East reimbursement issues on our military families and community medical providers.

We have heard directly from many concerned providers and military families, stating that the new T-5 contract has resulted in severe challenges, with providers across the nation reporting millions of dollars in claims going unpaid or unprocessed. Some have not received any payment since the beginning of the year, while others have received checks that were placed on hold by their banks. This cash flow crisis puts smaller practices at immediate risk of closure, jeopardizing access to care for thousands of military families across the country.

Our servicemembers and their families deserve reliable, high-quality healthcare. If providers cannot receive timely and comprehensive reimbursements, TRICARE beneficiaries will inevitably face denials of necessary care. This crisis comes at a time when our healthcare system is already strained, with 50% of active duty installations located in health professional shortage areas. Our service members currently wait an average of 20 days for urgent appointments, and these payment failures will only exacerbate these already unacceptable wait times. Many of the affected providers offer critical specialty care, making the potential impact even more severe. Failing to rectify these reimbursement issues will place an undue burden on those who have already sacrificed so much for our nation. It is imperative that the Department work to restore TRICARE payment services immediately allowing providers to remain operational and continue caring for those who have served our great nation.

To ensure transparency and accountability, we request answers to the following questions by March 1, 2025:

1. When do you anticipate the current reimbursement delays will be resolved?
2. When should providers who have not yet received payment for their services expect to be reimbursed by TRICARE?
3. What specific assurances have you received from your TRICARE East contract holders regarding a concrete plan to resolve these delays?
4. What proactive steps are being taken to ensure that we do not face this critical payment issue again in the future?

Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter and your continued service to our nation. We look forward to your timely response.

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