I've been retired for quite a while and I've always had health insurance through my employer. This year the rates went through the roof, so I'm going to start using Tricare. Is there any advice for a first time user? Talking to the Tricare rep and looking at the benefits on line it seems pretty cut and dry, but we all know how that goes.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Pat Leach
USAF MSgt Retired
1992 Procraft 180 Pro
2016 Mercury 150 Four Stroke
2018 Minn Kota Ulterra
Helix 7 SI/GPS
Helix 7 Sonar/GPS
All I know to tell you is that I have TriCare Prime and have had it since my retirement in 2004. Each visit to a Doc is $12 (that may go up next year). To see a specialist you have to get a referral, from your primary care Doc, thru TriCare. Usually an easy task. The only time it get's tricky is when a specialist wants you to see a different specialist. You then have to go back to your primary care Doc, to have them explain to TriCare why you should see a different specialist. There have been time's I've been referred back to the same specialist I had preciously seen before. I'd also recommend getting your meds through express scripts. While it's only a small savings, if you're on a medication such as a cholesterol med that you'll probably be on for years to come, that small savings will add up.
USAF Retired 1981-2004
Police Detective Retired 2004-2022
I have used Tri-Care standard since I retired and will for another 8 months, then I go Tri-Care for life. I like it, just go to the doctor I like. I didn't want managed care and have to pay a premium.
When you go to tricare for life it doesn't cover vision. I have to go through VA in Nashville to an eye exam. The appointments are full for about 3 months out.
I've never used vision or dental and have rarely used the medical coverage, medicare has a small vision coverage. The VA told me my classification wasn't high enough to use the clinic, I'd need to go to Arkansas or wait for the new hospital to be built. Pissed me off when I knew a non disabled, one tour Coast Guard guy was getting appointments thru the clinic.
I'm on TRICARE For Life also. Have you asked the Nashville VA Hosp about using the VA Choices program? The audiology clinic told me that if they couldn't give me an appoint within 30 days they were required to offer me the opportunity to go to a civilian audiologist through the choices program. It was a minimum of 90 days to get a VA appt so I went to an audiologist of my choice that participates in the program. Worked really well for me so you might check it out. YMMV. Here's a link:Originally Posted by mikeSF
https://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/for_veterans.asp
Thanks for the info. Never heard of this program.
Tricare is the way to go, I never trusted the VA and will not use them. I had Tricare Prime, and was upgraded last year to Tricare for life and have medicare also. Like Mike SF said Tricare does not pay for eye exams, I get mine eyes check yearly at Ft Jackson eye clinic, at no charge. If there is a military base near by, check with them about getting an eye exam, and see about the base medical being your primary care giver until you hit 65. But the VA does give free hearing aids if need be, Tricare will not pay for them either, and I need a pair, all those years around live fire exercises and combat has done some hearing loss. I feel bad for aircrews and flight line people being around loud noises and lose their hearing.
Last edited by usmc03; 12-20-2017 at 06:48 PM.
Yeah. When I first went to the audiologist that VA set me up with I was somewhat leery. She was very thorough and flat out told me I really needed a good hearing aid because of my extreme high frequency hearing loss. I asked her if I could pay the difference between what VA would pay for and the best she had to offer. She looked at me and laughed then said that the VA is now paying for the top of the line digital aids - none better. I got a set of custom molded rechargeable ones. One of the ear molds worked great and the other one felt like my ear was stopped up. Went back and she called the manufacturer to see if they could make one with a larger vent channel. They said that the one I had was as large as they could make so she fitted a "dome" style to that ear. Went back one time to have the software adjusted and they have been great. Do not even know I have them in and I can hear things I haven't heard in years. They will give you a card where you can order ear wax filters, batteries, etc from VA at no charge to you. Rather than send the card in I called the phone # for the logistics center. Received a six month supply of the filters a few days later. I have never been to a VA doctor but have been to a couple of VA contract physicians, for evaluation, and they have been fine. Once I got past the admin part of the VA my experiences have been fine. Just remember that if VA says you can go to the Choices Program that they still have to make some entries in their computer system authorizing that. I had to get a "Choices Champion" involved in the process to get them off of "Top Dead Center".
After 20 years on listening to jets and turbines, they told me I heard better than when I enlisted.
Thanks guys for the info. I will be using Tricare Standard, it is good to hear that it isn't the same hassle that Champus was when I retired. I don't live close enough to a base to use them but for eye exams, I have one more year to use my employer insurance for that.
I will check into the VA when and if I need hearing aids, that sounds like a deal.
Pat Leach
USAF MSgt Retired
1992 Procraft 180 Pro
2016 Mercury 150 Four Stroke
2018 Minn Kota Ulterra
Helix 7 SI/GPS
Helix 7 Sonar/GPS
I live near FortLleonard Wood and have tricare prime. We pay around $575 a year and get to do everything on post. I had to get an MRI a while back and went to make the appointment and a guy in front of me, who had tricare standard, was sent to Columbia, about 90 miles away. I stepped up and got an appointment for the next evening on post. If you live near a base, the prime is best. We never pay a copay of any kind either with visits or meds.
AFAIK the VA Choices program can be used for anything such as hearing, eyes, etc as long as you are a covered vet, live over 30 miles from a VA facility OR cannot schedule an appointment within 30 days.
Are you declining your health insurance with your employer?
If so, have you talked to them about buying a Tri-Care supplement vs the current plan?
It’s what I have and the marriage between the two is fantastic. The company is called Selman and Company..
https://www.selmantricareresource.com
2001 Ranger 518DVX Comanche / Mercury 200 Opti (OT306368)
I have Medicare and Tricare for life. I can also use the VA for anything I need. if you are changing from private insurance to Tricare I would go with Tricare Prime. They will have a list of Doctor's to chose from and they will all the other places you need to visit.
You guys deserve the best healthcare possible, I hope and pray it gets easier for you in the future.
Thank you for your service!
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