TriWest’s Suicide Prevention Hot Line Earns National Certification

PHOENIX (Jan. 24, 2008) — Concluding an extensive review of policy, procedures and personnel, the American Association of Suicidology in Washington, D.C. certified TriWest Healthcare Alliance’s Suicide Prevention Hot Line, available to TRICARE beneficiaries throughout 21 western states.

"TriWest is the only TRICARE contractor that has an around-the-clock Suicide Prevention Hot Line," said Blake Chaffee, PhD, vice president, Integrated Health Care Services. "We sought this certification to validate from outside the company our level of service and commitment to those who need help. Our clinicians follow up on every call to ensure that the beneficiaries are getting the help they need."

The Hot Line exceeded the association’s seven challenging criteria — administration and organizational structure, training program, general service delivery, services in life-threatening crises, ethical standards and practice, community integration, and program evaluation. Association evaluators also conducted a day-long site visit and studied the personnel files of the Hot Line’s clinicians. Eighty percent of the Hot Line staff already has individual certifications from the association.

"I am proud of this national certification as it affirms the efforts TriWest has taken to provide the highest level of help for members of the military, military retirees and their families who are facing emotional issues," said TriWest President and CEO David J. McIntyre, Jr. "Our Suicide Prevention Hot Line is one of the sophisticated tools contributing to TriWest’s operational excellence, which has never been more important than at this moment given all of the stressors faced by members of the military family."

TriWest launched its Suicide Prevention Hot Line 11 years ago when the company first earned a Department of Defense contract to administer the military’s health care program, TRICARE. The Hot Line is staffed around the clock every day by a team of clinicians, nurses and social workers and today serves 2.9 million people.