Tricare and Medicare - does it work

[alemorkam]

I am retired military with Tricare about to go on Medicare. Do I need another supplement to Medicare or is Tricare enough?

thanks

[TheVillageChicken]

I have been on Tricare for Life and Medicare for five years and have not paid a penny out of pocket. This includes over $50K worth of bills for prostate cancer treatment. There are some things not covered. See attached .pdf

[Chatbrat]

It works, my wife & myself on Medicare & TRicare for life--what's really great is Express Scripts--make sure your doc orders your meds on the 90 day schedule

[Bryan]

With Medicare and Tricare For Life, you have the Cadillac of health insurance. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise or sell you any other stuff - you don't need it (well, maybe Long Term Care insurance is the exception, if you want that). You don't want a Part D insurance either - use Express Scripts.

[kansasr]

In a word YES. My spouse has been on Tricare for Life for several years and I can't wait for August when I will finally qualify. Yes, every once in a while you get a strange bill (usually because of coding errors and it's rejected by Medicare) and have to get the provider to do it correctly, but not having to deal with those 20% copays and annual deductibles has me salivating (better rephrase that or they'll be adding additional medications....)

[Challenger]

Am retired military on Medicare and Tricare for Life for 12 years. Have had triple by pass at Johns Hopkins - I paid nothing,My wife has signifigent arthritis impairment- Several operations- She paid nothing. Between us we are on ten different drugs that without TFL would cost us $750 per month. our drug cost is less than $50 per month with TFL . No hospital or Physician co pays.

I cannot imagine a better combination anywhere and if told that there was a better plan, I would suspect I was being scammed. Have never been denied care anywhere.

Can't imagine that anyone who could qualify would not choose TFL

[NavyNJ]

Well, I'm not trying to be cute here....but since I have more than a few years to get to Medicare and TFL.......boy am I GLAD to hear all of you jump in with such high praise!! I just transitioned from my employer plan to full time Tricare, with a Tricare Supplement Plan, and am making some adjustments here in NJ with providers, etc. But for the most part, it's been pretty darn painless. I was really anxious about the final move to TFL and Medicare, but am now much more calmed! Thanks for your endorsements! GH (USNA '76)

[Bizdoc]

For the most part, Medicare/TFL are a great combination. I rarely pay anything (on my parents - Dad was retired Navy) except for some pharmacy co-pays. The few times that I have had to call, they were very pleasant and helpful.

One word of advice (hopefully many many years before you will need for it), talk to whoever is going to handle your affairs when you can't and give them all of the info on TriCare, DFAS, and all of the other folks they will have to deal with. Given them account names and passwords. We went from my father handling everything to not being able to do anything in less than 30 days. While I eventually found everything I needed to run things, it could have been smoother if he had passed along passwords and account names/numbers.

[Margot]

Tricare is your Supplemental and Express Scripts comes with Tricare for meds.

[nkrifats]

I have to agree with what everyone says. Been on both for 6 years and it has been great

[Lovey2]

Not much more to add, but my Dad was retired Army. Both he and my mother had cancer and we paid almost zero out of pocket for their medical expenses. ALSO...little known benefit, the Veterans admin has an assistance benefit for assisted living facilities. It takes a few months to kick in once you file, but it backdates to the original filing date. We went directly to the VA to secure the paperwork and file, it was much quicker that way. Be persistent, we were told it was a little known benefit, but it's there. We used it for my Mother and the benefit was more than 1/2 her rent, I think I remember at least $1500 @ month.