TRICARE Bypasses TRIWEST Referral Problems

This discussion dives into the temporary changes to the TRICARE West Region healthcare system due to issues with the new contractor, TriWest. A referral approval waiver allows TRICARE Prime beneficiaries to bypass TriWest for outpatient specialty care until March 31, 2025. This waiver is a response to significant problems with TriWest's referral processing portal and other system issues impacting beneficiaries and providers. The articles also highlight extended payment deadlines, the decommissioning of the online patient portal, and ongoing concerns regarding the transition's impact on patient care and access. Several articles discuss the ongoing problems and concerns from beneficiaries and advocates.