Gregory Chandler on Department of Defense Third Party Collection Program

The Third Party Collection Program was legislated by Congress in 1986. The Third Party Collection Program obligates Department of Defense Military Treatment Facilities to bill private health insurance carriers such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Mail Handlers, Aetna, etc., for the cost of medical care furnished to retirees and family members covered by their own health insurance policies. This includes all medical benefits such as inpatient care, outpatient care, and ancillary services such as pharmacy items.

The government bills the private health insurers. That is why the government uses the term "Third Party". Military Treatment Facilities can only collect for services covered by one's third party health insurance plan according to one's benefits with the plan.

By law, your insurance policy rates cannot go up or be canceled just because a claim is filed. Health insurance is not like automobile insurance because one's rates do not increase when a claim is filed.

GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law