Cost of TRICARE Going Up, Howsabout TFL?

[golden]

With the cost of TRICARE rising for the first time since 1994 (I think), what will this mean to those of us on TFL? Can we expect it to continue as is or should we expect to be required to pay something for this? I haven't seen anything yet but it has to be a topic of consideration.

[bonzocfi]

I just renewed my TRICARE for the same amount since I retired. There was no increase.

[mustang652]

Think TFL and Tricare are different animals. DW and I quit paying Tricare annual fees at 65 when we went on Medicare. Our PCM and TFL are through the base here so as long as the care is on the base we have no co-pay. I also use the VA on some matters and with a 70% I don't pay for anything there either.

[golden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonzocfi I just renewed my TRICARE for the same amount since I retired. There was no increase.

Unless you are using TFL, beginning on 1 Jan your cost will go to $260 per month per person. Military personnel joining TRICARE between now and the first of the year will pay $260. Everyone else who has been a member for this year and longer will continue to pay $230 until the change. I would imagine that if your time to renew is until the 31st of Dec, you would continue paying the "old" cost.

[golden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mustang652 Think TFL and Tricare are different animals. DW and I quit paying Tricare annual fees at 65 when we went on Medicare. Our PCM and TFL are through the base here so as long as the care is on the base we have no co-pay. I also use the VA on some matters and with a 70% I don't pay for anything there either.

As I'm sure you are aware, TFL stands for TRICARE for Life. It and Tricare are different only in that once you turn 65 you automatically get TFL as your secondary to Medicare, if you are eligible for Medicare. Until now, there has been no cost for TFL.

[Kablewizard]

Did you also all hear that express scripts will not allow you to use Walgreen's after Jan 1 1012? They have petitions at Walgreen's in the pharmacy for you to sign to try and keep them on the list if you care to sign it.

[golden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kablewizard Did you also all hear that express scripts will not allow you to use Walgreen's after Jan 1 1012? They have petitions at Walgreen's in the pharmacy for you to sign to try and keep them on the list if you care to sign it.

I hadn't heard that and I find it very interesting. I'd always thought that you could use any approved pharmacy in addition to Express Scripts, that they were not one and the same so to speak. I didn't realize that Express Scripts had veto power over other pharmacies.

[JimmyLeggett]

Quote:

Originally Posted by golden As I'm sure you are aware, TFL stands for TRICARE for Life. It and Tricare are different only in that once you turn 65 you automatically get TFL as your secondary to Medicare, if you are eligible for Medicare. Until now, there has been no cost for TFL.

We went on TFL when I turned 65 with some concerns but not 3 years later, the combo of Medicare A & B, TFL is proving to be invaluable.

[Kablewizard]

I am sorry I said express scripts, it is tri care who is doing it. My mistake My last refills arrived and I just typed it after leaving Walgreen's and signing the petition.

[SVTotem]

I have been a Walgreens customer for years, but will not sign the petition. They are in negotiations with Express Scripts and trying to leverage higher rates. A successful campaign on their part will mean higher costs for us.

For on going medication I use the Express Scripts mail delivery for a single month's copayment for three months supply. Much less than Walgreens. I use Walgreens for pop up prescriptions.

[Hooligan]

Checked the express-scripts website.
"Walgrens has announced it will stop participation in the express scripts network." After Dec 31st, if you fill a prescription at Walgrens you pay 100% of the cost and file paperwork for non-network reimbursement. This is a result of Walgrens demand for price increases in contract negotiations.

Also Tricare co-pays will increase Jan 1st for 30 day prescriptions at retail pharmacies. 30 day Generic will be $5, Branded $12 & non-formulary $25

But: By Mail -home delivery from Express scripts, 90 day generic is free, branded $9 and Non formulary $25
(active duty does not have a co-pay)

[Ray,IN]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVTotem I have been a Walgreens customer for years, but will not sign the petition. They are in negotiations with Express Scripts and trying to leverage higher rates. A successful campaign on their part will mean higher costs for us. For on going medication I use the Express Scripts mail delivery for a single month's copayment for three months supply. Much less than Walgreens. I use Walgreens for pop up prescriptions.

That sentence is the bottom line of this issue. I merely switched to CVS. Didn't have to do a thing. CVS called Walgreen and transferred my scripts at my request. They seem to go out of their way to make me satisfied with CVS.

[Ray,IN]

I haven't heard anything about TFL rising, but I did get a letter 2 weeks ago stating TRICARE/TFL was an entitlement. I'm still steaming about that statement.

[golden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN I haven't heard anything about TFL rising, but I did get a letter 2 weeks ago stating TRICARE/TFL was an entitlement. I'm still steaming about that statement.

I guess I'm confused. If it isn't an entitlement, what is it?

Also, I read on another forum that TFL was going to cost $200 pp per year beginning next year and increase dramatically after that. It's heresay as far as I'm concerned at this point as I've not seen or heard anything to confirm it.