TRICARE and the ACA (Obamacare)
We know it is not kind to start the beginning of the year by talking about filing taxes but there is no getting around them 2014 is the first year that the ACA-Affordable Care Act (or as it is generally known Obamacare) requires that tax payers report on their health insurance status on their federal tax forms. They must have minimum essential coverage (MEC) or pay what the federal government is calling an “individual shared responsibility” tax penalty.
Shortly after the ACA was passed, many VSOs and MSOs successfully urged Congress to state in law that TRICARE qualified for MEC. Through their efforts, they got statutory passage of a bill extending TRICARE dependent coverage to run up to age 26 through the TRICARE Young Adult program which clearly qualified as “minimal essential coverage.”
So now all beneficiaries qualify under the ACA requirements if you are entitled to TRICARE coverage or you purchase TRICARE or CHCBP premium based coverage.
That means that you cover the MEC requirements if you are entitled to any of the following:
* TRICARE Prime (all plans)
* TRICARE Standard / Extra
* TRICARE Overseas (all plans)
* TRICARE For Life
* Transitional Assistance Management Program
* Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
You are also covered for the MCE requirements if you qualify and purchase:
* TRICARE Reserve Select
* TRICARE Retired Reserve
* TRICARE Young Adult (all plans)
* Continued Health Care Benefit Program
For 2014 tax payers will “self- attest” that they have qualified coverage. Starting this year TRICARE will inform the IRS of coverage and DFAS and the Uniformed Services Pay Centers will provide beneficiaries with necessary tax forms.
Please note: There are also some Uniformed Services health care beneficiaries who are eligible only for care at Military Treatment Facilities (Direct Care Only). They have a special specific exemption for Taxable Year 2014 only. They will not meet the ACA’s requirements this year. (2015)
The IRS has much more on this at: IRS Affordable Care Act Info
TRICARE also has additional information at: TRICARE Affordable Care Act Info
We have heard that the IRS is cutting back their assistance to tax payers due to budget cuts. So please look at the following article to see where present service members, their families and reservists can find some help.