National Guard and Reserve members will now be offered the choice of military health care coverage for as long as eight years after they return to civilian life.  The policy will affect the more than 400,000 National Guard and Reserve members mobilized since September 2001 for the fight against terrorism.  Only those who remain in the Guard or Reserve after they are demobilized will be eligible.  Until now, Guard and Reserve members could retain health care coverage under the Defense Department's Tricare system for no more than six months after they left active duty.  Under the new arrangement they could retain coverage for at least one year and as long as eight years, depending on the length of their mobilization and the length of their commitment to remain in the Guard or Reserve.  They would pay monthly premiums ranging from $50 to $150 a month for individual coverage, depending on their rank, and from $100 to $300 a month for family coverage, depending on rank.  For an overview on military medical benefits....for more info log on to
 
http://www.military.com/MilitaryReport/0,12914,MR_Health_050328,00.html?ESRC=miltrep.nl