Comment on DOD-2009-HA-0175-DRAFT-0004

Proposed Rule DOD-2009-HA-0175 under Section 711 is a great proposal for eliminating co-pays for preventive service. The DoD should waive any co-pay for people going into doctors’ offices for preventive reasons. In the long run being seen by physicians to try and prevent health issues will save the government money in doctors’/hospital visits later when it could have been avoided. I am a retired service member and know firsthand the struggles some face with coming up with the co-pays when all the members want to do is ensure they are healthy. Members not willing or unable to pay for the co-pays will avoid the doctors’ offices and could potentially end up in more serious health trouble because of it and subsequently cost the government a lot more money than the small co-pay it could have cost them for a simple screening. Healthy people save government money in long term care and early screening can help early detection of sickness. Preventive doctors’ visits should not be subject to co-pays and will pay for itself in the long run. Realigning the paragraph will help eliminate all the confusing verbiage and ensure the beneficiaries understand what preventive screenings, visits, etc. are covered.