Hal, What the Senate mark-up does is link any increase in Tricare fees to the COLA rate increase. So if we get a 3.0% increase in pay, the Tricare Fee will increase 3.0%
Calculating that out on a $24,000 annual retainer, the pay increase amounts to $720 annually or $60 a month. The Tricare individual rate increase approved is $2.50 per month or an increase from $230 to $260 for FY2012. In the hypothetical above a 3.0% linked increase would Move the annual individual rate from $260 to $267.80... a $7.80 per year increase.
Status: Bill passed both chambers. Next: The bill may now proceed to a conference committee of senators and representatives to work out differences in the versions of the bill each chamber approved. [Last Updated: Dec 6, 2011 6:11AM]
