4th MDG pharmacy volunteers critical to Third Party Collection Program success

  • Published
  • By Capt. Joshua Swantek
  • 4th Medical Support Squadron
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Have you ever asked yourself why you must present your Third Party Collection program card, commonly referred to as the white card, when receiving care at the base clinic? Or wondered how updating the white card annually affects the array of services you and your family are offered?

The TPC program, directed by the TRICARE Management Activity and authorized by Title 10 of U.S. Code Section 1095, allows for reimbursements from insurance companies for healthcare services provided to patients' who have personal health insurance in addition to their military TRICARE benefits. These funds are used to improve patient care at the clinic by purchasing new equipment and supplies, expanding prescription formulary options, or assisting with additional staffing contracts. If you have other health insurance in addition to TRICARE, it is important to note that this practice will not affect your insurance coverage or increase costs. In fact, the TPC program may decrease your out-of-pocket expenses by helping you meet plan deductibles sooner.

At the 4th Medical Group, asking for your TPC card at each point of service is our way to ensure that all beneficiaries are an informed and active participant in the program. Adhering to this process allowed the clinic to eclipse its fiscal year 2010 TPC goal of $1 million by 16 percent. The pharmacy led the way collecting 99 percent of all reimbursement funds.

Finding the driving force behind the pharmacy's success is easy; you don't have to look any further than the prescription pick-up windows. There you will encounter any one of our 37 outstanding volunteers who pride themselves in helping the pharmacy accomplish its mission, while delivering exceptional customer service to each patient. In addition to dispensing medications, the volunteers help with a variety of other functions such as pre-packing medications, maintaining the prescription staging area, answering calls and assisting with quality control checks.

The pharmacy volunteers represent more than a third of the base volunteer population and are a diverse workforce comprised of military retirees, spouses and dependents across all services, careers and ages. Some have been volunteering for just under a year, while others have been assisting the pharmacy for more than 25 years. The majority of the clinic's volunteers work one day a week for three-to-five hours, although some help twice a week and fill in as needed. The impact of their monthly contributions of more than 500 man-hours is critical not only to the TPC program's success, but also to the pharmacy's 99.99 percent prescription accuracy rate. Furthermore, working alongside the volunteers serves as a morale booster to the rest of the pharmacy team, who appreciate and enjoy this unique opportunity.

If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about the volunteer program, contact retired Master Sgt. William Watson, Retiree Activity Office director, at 722-1119. Active-duty dependents interested in volunteering should call Regina Hinojosa, the Airman & Family Readiness Center volunteer coordinator, at 722-1123. Questions on the Third Party Collection program may be directed to the Medical Group's TPC staff or the Resource Management Office at 722-1797 or 722-0899.