TRICARE Tools Tame Tax Time

If you’re still digging through piles of paper, looking for last year’s forms and receipts, rest easy – you can now find your TRICARE costs online. TriWest has made your account and payment information available a click away for those registered at www.triwest.com.

A new option (view the Fact Sheet) for registered users allows you to view the payment history of your TriWest account for TRICARE Prime fees (if you pay an annual fee) or TRICARE Reserve Select premiums.

Register Online

Registration is easy. If you do not already have an account, follow the "Create an Account" link on the left side of the page for a guided tour of the account registration process.

Account History

To help you track annual health care expenses, TriWest makes copies of your claims explanation of benefits (EOB) and your enrollment fee payments available online to view or print anytime.

When you are logged in at www.triwest.com, you can see each claims EOB and each enrollment fee payment you made during the year. Add the members of your family with TRICARE coverage to your account and they will be able to view this information as well.

The claims EOB will show TRICARE’s coverage of your health care expenses as well as any amount that you were responsible for. The enrollment fee payment history will show the last 24 payments toward your TRICARE Prime enrollment fees or TRICARE Reserve Select premiums.

Users who log into their TriWest accounts will also be able to see a list of payments made toward your family’s annual TRICARE Prime enrollment fee.

You can download or print out a Fact Sheet with an explanation of these new TriWest account enhancements.

Why does that matter?

Did you know you that if you itemize your annual deductions, certain medical expenses are deductible? The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows deductions for some medical expenses (certain costs for equipment, supplies, diagnostic devices, dental expenses, eye exam fees, etc.). Check with a tax professional for all allowable deductions.

Save Money

Helping members of the military serve their futures by saving money, the Department of Defense sponsors Military Saves Week, February 24 to March 1, 2008. That week, part of a nationwide America Saves initiative, will be a time for U.S. military members and their families to learn about the importance of financial readiness. A resource kit is part of a "savings arsenal" available at www.militarysavers.org, where you will find advice about saving money and reducing debt.

Find Information

If you have questions about your tax return and supporting documentation, contact a tax advisor, visit a military base tax preparation center near you or go online to Military OneSource. There are special tax provisions for members of the military—go to www.irs.gov, click on "Individuals" along the top of the page and then follow the "Military" link.

For more information about your TriWest account, visit Beneficiary Services or call 1-888-TRIWEST (874-9378).