By the Numbers: 20 August 2018

By the Numbers: 20 August 2018

9.42 million
The number of Military Health System beneficiaries in FY 2017, according to a Congressional Research Service brief issued earlier this year -- Defense Primer: Military Health System.

The Department of Defense (DOD) operates a health care delivery system that in fiscal year (FY) 2018 will serve an estimated 9.4 million beneficiaries. In the President’s 2019 budget request of $50.6 billion, DOD’s unified medical program represents about 8% of DOD’s total budget. Beneficiaries may obtain care from DOD-operated and staffed medical and dental facilities (referred to collectively as military treatment facilities) or through care from civilian providers purchased through an insurance-like program known as TRICARE. Purchased care accounts for approximately 60% of the total cost of care delivered through the Military Health System (MHS).

Number of Military Health System beneficiaries in FY 2017