Factors That Bias a Comparison Between Mtf and Civilian Medical Appointment Costs

In an attempt to arrest the soaring cost of healthcare, Military Health System (MHS) leaders often turn to comparisons with civilian healthcare organizations to find best practices and standards of performance that should be emulated in the military. While we share much in common, there are subtle but distinct differences in our organizations, differences we would ignore to our peril. The differences stem from our mission to serve our fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines whenever duty calls. While civilian organizations may also claim a dual mission of financial solvency/profit and enhancing the health of their community, the adage "no margin, no mission" holds firm. In the MHS, our dual mission is different. It involves our wartime mission of preparing our troops and ourselves for war as well as treating our wounded warriors during war. Our other mission is that of providing the peacetime healthcare benefit to all Tricare-eligible beneficiaries. While the second part or our mission parallels the civilian healthcare sector and presents comparative opportunities, the military mission and organization are unique and pervades what we do. When benchmarking costs between the MHS and civilian healthcare organizations, accountants can remove much our military mission and present a civilian fa and amp;amp;amp;#231;ade for the sake of comparison.