TriWest Named ‘Top-Level’ Employer of Guard, Reserve Troops

SAN DIEGO (Feb. 11, 2008) — The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Association (ESGR) today named TriWest Healthcare Alliance to its list of companies that provide extra-ordinary support for employees serving in the National Guard and Reserves.

National ESGR Executive Director Dr. Gordon Sumnerrecognized TriWest at a signing ceremony during a gathering of the company’s leadership Sunday in Westlake Village. TriWest administers the military’s health care plan, TRICARE, in California and 20 other western states for 2.9 million TRICARE beneficiaries and about half of its nearly 2,000 employees are retired military or spouses and family members of Service members and military retirees.

"It’s gratifying to be recognized by ESGR as an organization wholly committed to meeting the needs of our Guard and Reserve employees," said TriWest President and CEO David J. McIntyre, Jr. "We’ve worked hard to implement policies, procedures and work processes that allow us to best support the unique needs of these special staff members, and this recognition proves we’re succeeding in doing just that."

To be recognized by the ESGR as a top employer, companies must meet certain criteria, most of which TriWest exceeded. These criteria are:

• Signing a statement of support publicly demonstrating support for employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserves
• Reviewing internal Human Resources policies to ensure they are compliant with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA)
• Promoting training for managers and above in how to effectively manage their employees who serve in the Reserve Component
• Adopting polices and implementing programs that go above and beyond what is required by the USERRA
• Serving as an advocate for employee service in the National Guard and Reserve and helping to promote the mission of the ESGR.

"Right now, nearly half of all uniformed people in the Department of Defense are members of the Reserve Component," said TriWest Director, Guard Reserve Liaison Joe Nortz. "We’re relying on them during this time of conflict, and they – and our uniformed employees – know they can rely on us."