Pentagon –
Following a year-long effort to identify and address health care access concerns, the Department of Defense (DOD) today announced a one-year pilot program to provide free supplemental health support services to DoD civilians serving in Japan. announced.
“The Department of Defense recognizes the significant contributions of the Defense Department’s civilian workforce around the world,” said Ashish Bajrani, who serves as Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. “Following Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Through the new pilots, we were able to bring experience to the approximately 11,000 civilians stationed in Japan. ”
The pilot, called the Pilot Health Insurance Enhancement for Japanese Department of Defense Civilian Employees, will support eligible civilian employees with upfront costs associated with medical navigation and access to Japan’s health care system.
To be eligible, employees must enroll in a participating health plan through the Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) program. The enrollment period for eligible employees will be the Federal Benefits Open Season, which runs from November 11 to December 9 of this year. Federal benefits open season allows federal civilians to enroll in or change health care options.
The services offered in this pilot will begin on January 1, 2025, and participants will be able to use the services and access support through a call center. The call center is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and staffed with bilingual service representatives who can assist callers in identifying their needs, schedule appointments with provider offices, and issue prepaid payment guarantees. Dependents are not eligible for services during the testing period, which runs through September 29, 2025.
Employees of the following military departments, defense agencies, and Department of Defense field operations in Japan are eligible for this additional coverage:
Department of the Air Force Department of the Army Department of the Navy Defense Information Systems Agency Defense Logistics Agency Defense Education Activities Department of National Defense Committees Defense Contract Management Agency Defense Financial Accounting Agency Defense Health Agency Defense Media Operations Defense Threat Reduction Agency National Security Agency Defense Intelligence Agency National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
“We are excited to offer this program,” said Saline Mullen, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs. “This is a free additional service and is recommended for use by Japanese military civilians.”
The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs oversaw the pilot program and awarded a $4.2 million contract to International SOS Government Services, the prime contractor for the TRICARE overseas program. The pilot’s contract is funded by civilian military, defense agencies, and Department of Defense field operations serving in Japan.
Active duty military personnel and TRICARE Prime recipients receive priority access to medical services at military hospitals and clinics based on current federal law and Department of Defense policy. Department of Defense civilians who are not TRICARE beneficiaries may use military medical facilities, subject to availability.
A contract with FEHB Insurance Company, which currently provides insurance to Japanese Department of Defense military personnel, will be established to provide direct billing contracts. Non-Allocated Fund (NAF) employees are eligible for this program if they are enrolled in an Aetna International Plan.
Additional details about this pilot program will be announced before the federal benefits open season begins. This information will also be posted in the “Treatment” section of Japanese military hospitals and clinics’ websites.
