TRICARE

[bjbkkb]

I am a couple of years from retiring and going full-time but I have started to think about it. Has the TRICARE system worked out OK or do you have to be near a military base to take care of medical needs? Thanks

[bjbkkb]

I am a couple of years from retiring and going full-time but I have started to think about it. Has the TRICARE system worked out OK or do you have to be near a military base to take care of medical needs? Thanks

[PizzaGuy]

Bruce and Karen:
I retired in 1993 after 30 years active duty. I reside near Vandenberg AFB, Ca. A very good friend (also retired) spends 6 months here in Califronia and 6 months in Colorado. I selected the base as my primiary care provider but he selected a local doctor from the area. Tricare and traveling has not been a problem for him at all. A few months back I met a couple at Beal AFB, CA. They were full timers and their home base was near Yuma Az. They retired from Beal a few years back, but live in AZ. They travel to Beal every year and take care of a lot of medical stuff while they are there. There are a lot of ways to look at this but the real experts are the TRICARE office at your base. Make a list of questions and visit them to get the real answers.

[MCPO Ret]

Bruce-Karen,

I retired in 1993 after 30 years in the Navy and had civilian health insurance as primary for about 15 years working in my "second career". We switched totally to TRICARE as our primary 3 years ago when the company I was with went to a company I didn't want to deal with. I retired and we went full time last July - been in Maine this summer and will be heading back to Florida for the winter. We have two primary doctors - one in Maryland (where we lived the past 15 years)and one in Pensacola where we sort of call home. I was using the military facility at Andrews AFB for our meds but they quit carrying so many of the items I found it just not worth the trouble. We use Target to fill our prescriptions and it works great - any Target can access the system and re-route any automatic renewal to the location you are at in minutes. I do have a supplemental insurance but need to check and find out if it is really worth the money - TRICARE has worked great and from what I have found the network of doctors that take it is enormous - all of our doctors we used with Blue Cross/Blue Shield take TRICARE. If you get a good read out from the TRICARE office you visit about supplemental insurance let me know - we are going to check into it more in Florida this winter.

[LewF]

Bruce and Karen

We have been using TRICARE off and on for 12 plus years since I retired from the Navy after 35 years in 1996. We have no military healthcare provider in the area so we use Standard coverage. I have worked for a couple of companies since I left the Navy and we used their coverage but always came back to TRICARE when I went back to self-employment. We have always had the same doctor through these changes and have had good service regardless of insurance coverage. My wife had two knees replace on TRICARE and the cost to us was minimal. We have always used the Express-Scripts mail order meds coverage with TRICARE and have had no problem there. I have just entered the world of Medicare Part A & B and will use TRICARE for Life for the supplemental so we will see how that works but we continue to have the same doctor. Fortunately we have not had to use medical service while on our various trips but I cannot believe you won't find doctors who will take TRICARE wherever you go. Have a happy time in retirement - there really is life after the military and it is GOOD!

Lew

[bjbkkb]

Thanks for the feedback. Looks like TRICARE might be a very workable solution.

[Kablewizard]

We have been using Tri Care for 2 years now and works out great. If I know we will be away, I can have it next day from UPS. That can make a difference. normal delivery is US Mail. My Doctor can fax them any changes or renewals and they charge my credit or debit card. In my opinion I should have done this 25 years ago and saved lots plus its to easy.

[tom wilson]

medicare and tricare for life.. great combination.

[The Quince]

What is your deductible for a 3 month supply of medicine when you send for it with Express Scripts. Is it better to go to a base and refill ?<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by MCPO Ret:
Bruce-Karen,

I retired in 1993 after 30 years in the Navy and had civilian health insurance as primary for about 15 years working in my "second career". We switched totally to TRICARE as our primary 3 years ago when the company I was with went to a company I didn't want to deal with. I retired and we went full time last July - been in Maine this summer and will be heading back to Florida for the winter. We have two primary doctors - one in Maryland (where we lived the past 15 years)and one in Pensacola where we sort of call home. I was using the military facility at Andrews AFB for our meds but they quit carrying so many of the items I found it just not worth the trouble. We use Target to fill our prescriptions and it works great - any Target can access the system and re-route any automatic renewal to the location you are at in minutes. I do have a supplemental insurance but need to check and find out if it is really worth the money - TRICARE has worked great and from what I have found the network of doctors that take it is enormous - all of our doctors we used with Blue Cross/Blue Shield take TRICARE. If you get a good read out from the TRICARE office you visit about supplemental insurance let me know - we are going to check into it more in Florida this winter. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Kablewizard]

Hi, depending on the drug, I pay 3.00 or 9.00 for a 3 month supply. I am not sure the base will give you 90 days at once, but by all means ask.

[BudtheDiplomat]

I've paid $3 and $9 since retiring in 1993. This year I had a couple of ER visits and trip to the Cardiac Cath Lab.

Tricare has been great. We're now beyond the $3000/yr catastrophic cap and the Rx's and medical copay are $0.00.

And, 'in network,' now I get no doc or hospital bill.

[lionel_046]

One other thing worth noting. Prior to fulltime retirement and Tricare I asked about medical care (non emergency) away from our primary care Dr. Example: Live in Ohio - need to seek non emergency care in Hawaii. Tricare said in that case to call their 24 hour 800 number and they could approve in network care at a remote location. In network fees are much lower than out of network. Just a fwiw, Harry