Effective January 1, 2025, significant changes will impact both military healthcare under TRICARE and the movement of people across the border between Hungary and Romania. These adjustments reflect broader efforts to streamline service provision for military families and bolster national security through border regulation.
Starting with TRICARE, the military health care program will launch new regional contracts which will introduce changes to the existing regions across the United States. While the format will remain the same with two primary regions, six states are set to transition from the East to the West Region. These states are Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin. Zelly Zim, a health systems specialist with the TRICARE Health Plan Policy & Programs Branch at the Defense Health Agency, emphasized the importance of beneficiaries knowing their region: "Knowing which region you’re in is important to determine if you need to take any steps by January 1." This change aims to simplify and streamline healthcare access for military families.
For those affected by these adjustments, the transition involves moving from Humana Military—which will continue as the contractor until the end of 2024—to TriWest Healthcare Alliance. This means beneficiaries living in the corresponding states must confirm their information is current on the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) to avoid any issues with their coverage.
Interestingly, some areas labeled as "carveouts" will remain exceptions to these region changes. These areas are typically those surrounding military hospitals or clinics, allowing beneficiaries who reside nearby to maintain their current TRICARE plans. For example, residents of certain counties like Clay and Craighead in Arkansas will still be affiliated with the East Region. Similarly, certain areas from Indiana, Missouri, and Wisconsin will also have distinct rules concerning their status following the regional changes.
Beneficiaries across the affected states are urged to check their zip codes to determine if they fall within these carveouts. For those transitioning to TriWest, it's important to visit their site for guidance on provider directories and to assess whether any changes to plans during the TRICARE Open Season are necessary.
The changes to TRICARE come alongside the approach of January 1, 2025, when Hungary will introduce new border controls with Romania, adhering to the Schengen Borders Code. This move aims to manage risks to public order and security within the borderless Schengen Area, outlined following the renegotiation of access conditions for Romania and Bulgaria. The requirement allows entry only at designated crossing points, reinforcing the need for stringent border interventions.
Border crossing motors and railways will see implemented checks at designated points like Csanádpalota and Nyírábrány. Various small road connections will also remain subject to new controls as Hungary continues to safeguard its borders following the Budapest agreement, ensuring security protocols stay tight and efficient following Romania and Bulgaria's full Schengen membership.
Romania is simultaneously preparing to close over 30 border crossing points to streamline its border control processes established from January 1. Recent announcements from the Ministry of Internal Affairs highlighted their focus on enhancing border security with specific checks on Romania's borders with Hungary. Even though Romania and Bulgaria gained partial Schengen access from March 31, 2024, internal land border controls are only now refined to address public safety more thoroughly.
Although both countries have welcomed the lifting of checks on their respective lands, the need for persistent vigilance remains apparent. Sándor Pintér, Hungary’s Minister for Home Affairs, recently expressed his enthusiasm over Romania and Bulgaria's full integration and the overall benefits this decision would afford to the European Union, stating, "Abolishing land border controls for Romania and Bulgaria was among the main priorities of Hungary, stressing the decision will bring benefits to the EU as whole." Both countries remain focused on smoothing the transition for their citizens as they adapt to the new geopolitical and bureaucratic landscapes.
Beginning January 1, 2025, military families and citizens traveling between Hungary and Romania will face new changes—one benefiting health care access and the other aiming to tighten security measures across borders. Understanding these shifts is imperative for those who will be impacted and is part of the larger narrative surrounding the governance of cross-border activities and military health care provision.