5th MDG Third Party Collection program Published April 16, 2010 By Teri Nelson 5th Medical Group Third Party Collection coordinator MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The Third Party Collection program is a Department of Defense-wide program that collects payment from private health insurance companies for services rendered at the 5th Medical Group here. The money collected is based on the percentage of people who have other healthcare insurance that should be billed for that care. This money is included in our annual budget and it is very important to our survival. The money recovered is used for medical supplies, training, facility improvements and additional formularies at the pharmacy to enhance the quality of service we provide our patients. All personnel not on acitve duty (retirees, dependents, and family members) who receive care at the 5th Medical Group should stop by one of the following locations: Resource Management (RM 3J7), Pharmacy, Lab, Radiology, TOPA, Records, or any of the clinics to fill out a DD Form 2569, Record of Other Health Insurance. This form is a DoD annual requirement for all personnel not on acitve duty. A form must be completed even if TRICARE is the individual's only form of insurance. After completing the form, they will be given a blue TPC card they are required to present at all clinic and pharmacy visits. This card is proof they have met the annual requirement and will prevent the unnecessary filling out of additional forms. If there are changes to an individual's health insurance or personal information during the year, they will be required to complete a new form and will receive another TPC Card with the new date of completion. If the individual has other health insurance, they cannot be charged a deductible or co-payments for care received at the 5th MDG. The government will absorb those costs. Therefore, claims filed by the government to the individual's insurance company for care they receive at the 5th MDG may count toward meeting their annual deductible. This may result in a significant saving to that person if they later need to seek civilian medical care. For more information on the TPC program, call 701-723-5171 or stop by Resource Management, Room 3J7 on the 3rd floor of the 5th MDG facility.