Community Forums

Rangermatt · 03-21-2016, 12:06 PM

My wife and I are getting ready to go full time in Sep. I am wondering what issues you may of had with Tricare and being full time. We live in Alaska and we our tricare prime. We will maintain an Alaska address only for domicile purposes. Not sure where we will end up after all our travels. Any info or thoughts is greatly appreciated. Just looking for some lessons learned.

Thanks
Matt

no3putt · 03-22-2016, 02:43 PM

Drop the tricare prime and sign up for tricare standard.

Nana25K · 03-22-2016, 03:06 PM

You need to go with Tricare Standard. That allows you to utilize any health care with out messing around with networks, treferrals etc. You will have a higher deductible and copay. However your capped out at $3k annual catistrofic. Frankly we used Campus and Tricare exclusively even when Ron was still on active duty. Following retirement we stayed on it. It also transitions right into Tricare for Life when you hit 65.

Nana25K · 03-22-2016, 03:09 PM

Also move all of your meds to Express Scripts. It allows you to set up a temp address at will so you can get your meds shipped where you want. They do allow you to use a General Mail Delivery for post office pick up if you need. Your only issue is if it is a drug that needs to be shipped over night because it needs refrigerated. Have your Dr write any scripts for 90 days with 3 refills for any maintenance drugs.

jpharley · 03-23-2016, 01:10 PM

We also use TRICARE Standard. The only issues when have encountered is with providers not understanding that everything needs to go through the west region as we are SDS residents. We have seen doctors all over the US including AK.

Nana25K · 03-24-2016, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpharley

We also use TRICARE Standard. The only issues when have encountered is with providers not understanding that everything needs to go through the west region as we are SDS residents. We have seen doctors all over the US including AK.

Actually it doesn't. All the systems are connected and will not be an issue. Like you we are SD domicile but our Primary Care is in PA. Have also seen health care providers all over the country in the last 10 years. Only one time did it get screwed up. Bill was paid but the deductible didn't show up on Tricare West. A quick phone call to Tricare solved it.

jpharley · 03-24-2016, 08:29 AM

Must have been a recent change because we have had issues in the past with providers asking for pre approval and filing bills for services from the incorrect region. Usually, if a provider asks for pre approval from the wrong region, it will get rejected and the provider is instructed to ask the correct region. This has happened several times with us.