(COLORADO SPRINGS) — After several days of negotiations, Children's Hospital Colorado (Children's Colorado) negotiated a new agreement with TriWest Healthcare Alliance (TriWest) to stay in-network with TRICARE. Children's Hospital announced on Tuesday, Dec. 24, that under the new agreement, TRICARE patients would maintain full access to care and services at the hospital. “While we are optimistic about this first step in ensuring our military families continue to receive the care they need, TRICARE reimbursement rates remain well below the cost of providing care,” said Jena Hausmann, president and CEO of Children’s Colorado. “We will continue engaging with the Department of Defense and elected officials to ensure that Children’s Colorado can maintain high-quality, specialty pediatric care for all kids in Colorado. If the federal TRICARE program does not fundamentally change the way it values children and child health, our healthcare system will struggle and access to pediatric care for military children will continue to be at risk in Colorado and across the country.”  The agreement will come into effect on Wednesday, Jan. 1. Children's Colorado said they will continue to work with TriWest on additional long-term changes to the contract. On Jan. 1, TriWest will become the new contractor for the TRICARE West Region.