Key Terms & Abbreviations
| BCAC | Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator |
| Beneficiary DoD Number | Department of Defense ID number, which provides you access to healthcare through TRICARE and other services such as Military OneSource |
| Co-Insurance | The percentage of covered health costs that a patient is responsible for paying after you’ve met your deductible. This can apply to every eligible expense. A typical co-insurance is 20%. For TRICARE this is applied to out-of-network providers. |
| Co-Pay or Copayment | The fixed amount you pay for a covered health care service or drug. Co-pays are set according to TRICARE cost sheet and reviewed annually. Co-pays are dependent on what services you are receiving, and they are the out-of-pocket amounts determined by TRICARE. All co-pays can be submitted to MSH International for coverage. |
| Cost Share | General term for when a patient pays for a portion of health care costs that their health insurance doesn’t cover. This can include deductibles, co-payments, and co-insurance |
| DEERS | Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System |
| Deductible | The set dollar amount the patient must pay before the insurer begins making benefit payments. This amount is reviewed annually and listed on the TRICARE cost sheet. All deductibles can be submitted to MSH International for reimbursement. |
| EOB | Explanation of Benefits Notice from your health care insurance, both TRICARE and MSH International, which explains what was paid for and how much. This can also outline why payment for services was denied. |
| FIN Number | Foreign Identification Number |
| Installation | In the U.S., they refer to the military base as either the base or installation. |
| Medical Advance Request | Medical advances can be requested by the CAF member should a medical expense be greater than $400.00. This process is to ensure Canadians can access healthcare without financial hardships. |
| MSH International | Plan administrator for the PSHCP for enrolled individuals who are posted outside of Canada. |
| MTF | Military Treatment Facility |
| Network Provider | In Network: Healthcare provider has a contract with your insurance company, resulting in lower costs - you will have a smaller co-pay. Out of Network: Provider doesn't have a contract with your insurer, and you'll typically pay more- you will have a higher co-pay. You can see either. |
| PCM | Primary Care Manager |
| PFAC | Patient & Family Advisory Committee Volunteers who work with the CF Health Services Team in Washington, D.C. to provide education and awareness around healthcare challenges. www.cfmws.ca/united-states/healthcare/pfac |
| PSHCP | Public Service Health Care Plan |
| R70 Code | This is a reported coverage limit from MSH International on health care costs that are above the Canadian reimbursement amount of 3x OHIP rate for the service. This amount can be submitted to CF H Svcs Det Washington team for reimbursement. |
| RHCA | Reciprocal Health Care Agreement |
| SOFA | Status of Forces Agreement Defines the legal status and privileges of Canadian Armed Forces members and their dependants living in the U.S. under a NATO Visa assignment to a U.S. military installation. |
