Tricare tools tame tax time Published March 3, 2010 By Tyler Patterson TriWest Healthcare Alliance PHOENIX,Az. -- Love it or hate it, there's no denying it: tax season is here. Do you see yourself digging through piles of paper looking for last year's forms and receipts? There's a better way. Tricare West Region beneficiaries can find Tricare out-of-pocket costs online through its secure www.triwest.com account. Account history To help track health care expenses, individuals may access up to three years of claims, benefit statements and any enrollment fee information through a www.triwest.com account. To view the benefits of registration, visit www.triwest.com/register. Qualified medical expenses For those who itemize annual tax deductions, certain medical expenses may be eligible for deduction. The Internal Revenue Service allows for expenses like equipment costs, supplies and diagnostic devices, dental expenses as well as fees for eye exams, eyeglasses and contact lenses. Always check with a tax professional for your allowable deductions. Contact a tax advisor at a military base tax preparation center, or visit www.militaryonesource.com for more information. Special tax provisions exist for members of the military and are listed at www.irs.gov; click on "Individuals" along the top of the page and then follow the "Military" link for specific information. Go paperless After you've developed your secure TriWest.com account, don't forget to log in and sign up for paperless communications and go green. Tracking medical expenses is less taxing when it's at your fingertips online anytime. Save time, stay organized and keep the piles of paper to a minimum. You might even save a tree or two in one easy step, so go green today. For more information about what is available through a TriWest account, visit www.triwest.com/register or call 1-888-TRIWEST (874-9378).