DoD appoints new TRICARE regional director

WASHINGTON -- The Defense Department has announced the appointment of Michael A. Gill as the new TRICARE South regional director. 

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., said, “The appointment of Michael Gill as the director of the TRICARE South region is another significant step in transforming our TRICARE program.  He brings exceptional talent, skills and management experience to this new role and responsibility.”

The new TRICARE South Region, one of three new regions, encompasses 10 states in the southern United States, serves a TRICARE population of more than 2 million beneficiaries, and is supported by the new regional contractor, Humana Military Healthcare Services Inc.

Gill, a Georgia native, earned both his bachelor’s and master of business administration degrees from Georgia College.  He entered government service with the Air Force in 1982 under the Mid-Level Management Training Program at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., where he served as a contract specialist, and as a contracting officer and manager. 

Prior to accepting this position Gill, a member of the Senior Executive Service, was the director of contracting at Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah.  In this role Gill was responsible for the oversight, procedures, resources and systems necessary to provide world-class contracting support for multiple weapon systems and commodities managed at the center.

The new TRICARE regional directors are responsible for oversight of all health care delivery activities within their region.  They provide oversight of regional operations and health plan administration along with management of the health care support contracts.  These directors also are responsible for providing support to the military treatment facility commanders in the region; sustaining quality care and improving customer satisfaction across the healthcare delivery system.

The other new regional contractors are TriWest Healthcare Alliance Corp., in the West Region, and Health Net Federal Services in the North region.  The TRICARE Management Activity provides daily oversight of the department’s healthcare program, TRICARE, for more than 8.9 million beneficiaries of the uniformed services.