TRICARE Question to Military Retirees

[jgbama]

I am on Tricare For Life (TFL) and my wife is on Tricare Standard until July 2012. Was reading some horror stories on an Insurance thread and got to wondering if there is any problems with Tricare coverage in TV? I'm thinking there shouldn't be any problems when we move down next year, but wanted to ask now. I could just call the Service Center here in Montgomery, but wanted to know also if there were any problems with TV area doctors accepting TFL. My wife should be on TFL by the time we move down.

Thanks.

[barb1191]

I am on Tricare For Life (TFL) and my wife is on Tricare Standard until July 2012. Was reading some horror stories on an Insurance thread and got to wondering if there is any problems with Tricare coverage in TV? I'm thinking there shouldn't be any problems when we move down next year, but wanted to ask now. I could just call the Service Center here in Montgomery, but wanted to know also if there were any problems with TV area doctors accepting TFL. My wife should be on TFL by the time we move down.

Thanks.

Bill and I have Tricare4Life and have never had a problem here in TV. Of course, your medical providers have nothing to do with the Tricare account as they bill Medicare directly and it's Medicare that forwards the bill balance to Tricare to pay their calculated amount on that same bill. The coverage is fantastic and we have never had problems with any providers here in TV for about five years now.

[jgbama]

Bill and I have Tricare4Life and have never had a problem here in TV. Of course, your medical providers have nothing to do with the Tricare account as they bill Medicare directly and it's Medicare that forwards the bill balance to Tricare to pay their calculated amount on that same bill. The coverage is fantastic and we have never had problems with any providers here in TV for about five years now.

Thanks a million. I felt as long as they accepted Medicare we would be good to go. But as they say, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"!!:mademyday:

[nkrifats]

Bill and I have Tricare4Life and have never had a problem here in TV. Of course, your medical providers have nothing to do with the Tricare account as they bill Medicare directly and it's Medicare that forwards the bill balance to Tricare to pay their calculated amount on that same bill. The coverage is fantastic and we have never had problems with any providers here in TV for about five years now.

Great to hear as I am on Tricare for Life also.

[kb8tpw]

Another vote for "NO PROBLEM". That has been the best news since our move to The Villages. Very transparent process. You get the slips from Tri-Care after the bill is paid and file it away. Prescription coverage is good as well. My endocrinologist prescribed a medication that he was relatively sure my insurance would not cover, and presto $9 a month copay - no sweat - no problem.

The good news is that I got in to the VA clinic this week, after a 6 month wait, and now have half a dozen specialty appointments over the next month.

[barb1191]

Another vote for "NO PROBLEM". That has been the best news since our move to The Villages. Very transparent process. You get the slips from Tri-Care after the bill is paid and file it away. Prescription coverage is good as well. My endocrinologist prescribed a medication that he was relatively sure my insurance would not cover, and presto $9 a month copay - no sweat - no problem.

The good news is that I got in to the VA clinic this week, after a 6 month wait, and now have half a dozen specialty appointments over the next month.

Hubby Bill has been attending the new VA Clinic here in TV and is so very impressed with the place. He claims the staff is great and the patients are extremely well treated with little or no waiting time. Kudos to whomever is running the place as it is above and beyond the call of duty. Phone calls are returned quickly as well as reminder calls re appts always acknowledged and examinations and medical records so very complete. Highly recommend.

[LEWIS]

not knowing that much I have to ask what is tricare? is it only for dav or for any one that was in the servise?

[kb8tpw]

Tri-care is the umbrella medical plan for the US military. There are several sub-sets. I think it is Tri-care Prime for active duty and their dependents, there is also a version that reservists use, which is relatively new. The gentleman that started this thread is probably the resident subject matter expert on that as he was a career reservist. I think at age 60 it may, like active duty and retired change to Tri-Care for Life. That would be the one that covers military retirees. With Medicare and Tri-Care For Life retirees are pretty much totally covered. I suppose there are always exceptions, but I am 69+ and some co-pays for meds has been my only expense, period.

Then I muddied the water and mentioned the Veterans Administration (VA). Their system is even more convoluted in what they provide and to whom, but again, for the veteran with service connected issues, it is, as also mentioned in this thread, very good. They do treat all veterans, military retired or not, but without service connected issues that have been validated they have co-pays and deductibles, which of course vary. The Villages out patient clinic was opened last fall but they are still months away from being fully staffed. I too am impressed with their current operation, having said that. Gainesville is the closest VA hospital.

A very short overview that could start you on a google search lasting hours and hours.

[getdul981]

not knowing that much I have to ask what is tricare? is it only for dav or for any one that was in the servise?

Retired career military only.

[getdul981]

Now, I have a question. I should probably start a separate thread, but maybe someone reading this will know. Does anyone have CHAMPVA? We've tried to find out about it, but have not had much success. Is it better than Medicare? Cost for meds? Pre-existing conditions?

Thanks.

[Chief29]

I have 5 doctors and have been to the TV Hospital 2 times and have had no problems with Medicafre or TriCare.
VA Clinic will NOT except Medicare or Tricare.

USN (RET)

[Bryan]

True, the VA does not accept Medicare or Tricare, but they will certainly copy your Medicare card and look at your military ID card. What Chief29 does not point out is that the VA doesn't charge vets for services, although for some VA categories, there may be a co-pay. Although the VA does not accept Medicare or Tricare as insurance for billing purposes, as both are government programs. It would be like the right hand paying the left hand. The VA manual, VA Pamplhet 80-10-01, covers "Private Health Insurance Billing" issues starting on Page 7. They will bill private health insurance providers for medical care, supplies, and precriptions provided for treatment of veterans service-related conditions. They can bill Medicare Supplemental Health Insurance Plans for covered services. The key point is that Veterans (and I quote from the pamphlet) "are not responsible for paying any remaining balance of VA's insurance claim not paid or covered by their Health insurance, and any payment received by VA may be used to offset 'dollar for dollar' a veteran's VA copay responsibility."

[villages3412]

Not sure how to get word out. Walgreens will be be ending it's contract with the drug company E-scripts. They contract for tricare mail order and drug stores to fill your presciptions I transfered to CVS.


http://www.pharmacytimes.com/market-news/Walgreens-Express-Scripts-Part-Ways

[Figmo Bohica]

If you are retired military and have a service connected disability you go to the head of the line for treatment in VA facilities. Plus if you are receiving a VA comp and have lost some of your retirement pay there is another program CRSC that will make up the difference between your VA comp and what they took out of your retirement pay. CRSC (combat Related Service Compension) is also tax free. Its a dollar for dollar make up.

There is also a program for service connected disabilities but I don't know how that one works. Best thing to do is contact a VA Service representative or the DAV. Lots of new programs for the vets keep checking with the VA.
they ndon't advertise a lot of these programs you, the vet,has to ask for information about them.

Your disability must be combat related not a service connected disability. All RVN vet who have an Agent Orange disability are considered combat related.

[mgjim]

I think this is in line with this thread. Is there an RSO in TV? I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions once I move.

[billmar]

not knowing that much I have to ask what is tricare? is it only for dav or for any one that was in the servise?

Retired military and dependents are elibible for Tricare...Not sure if this also includes retired Reserivsts or Air National Guard members.

[dok4933]

Retired Reservists are eligible for Tricare. The retiree benefits are not any different for service members that are retired. They receive their benefits at the age 60 while active duty personnel get them after 20 years and they retire.

They can choose from the options that are available to them. Tricare Prime, Standard/Extra or if on Medicare Tricare for Life as a supplemental. Tricare Prime is more like a HMO and Standard/Extra is like a PPO.

I switched over from Blue Cross Blue Shield last year and have had no problem at all with Tricare, not to counting the approx $9,000.00 a year in savings.

Tricare. mil is the site where all info is available.

Goog luck and thanks for your service.

[villages3412]

DOD Notice via FRA

Walgreens to Leave TRICARE Pharmacy Network
Beginning January 1, 2012 Walgreens drug stores will no longer be part of the network used by the TRICARE Pharmacy plan known as Express Scripts, Inc. (ESI), which is a Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) company that processes TRICARE pharmacy claims. TRICARE beneficiaries filling a prescription at Walgreens after December 31, 2011, will pay 100 percent of the cost up-front and than file a paper claim for non-network benefit reimbursement, that will dramatically increase out of pocket costs.
Other retail pharmacy options include CVS, Rite Aid, Walmart and Safeway stores and some smaller local pharmacies. In addition, this is a good time to consider TRICARE Home Delivery.

[batman911]

You can also have your meds filled free, without any co-pay, at any military pharmacy.

[villages3412]

Walgreens has dropped tri care> here is the approved list. 2012


SWEETBAY SUPERMARKET #1937

View Map820 OLD CAMP RD
THE VILLAGES, FL 32162

(352) 753-7124



THE MEDICINE CHEST

View Map910 OLD CAMP RD BLDG 170
THE VILLAGES, FL 32162

(352) 753-1877



CVS #08381

View Map5208 E COUNTY ROAD 466
THE VILLAGES, FL 32162

(352) 751-4700



PUBLIX #0004

View Map8780 SE 165TH MULBERRY LN
THE VILLAGES, FL 32162

(352) 751-0304



WAL-MART #4262

View Map4085 WEDGEWOOD LN
THE VILLAGES, FL 32162

(352) 259-2844



PREMIER PHARMACY

View Map1580 SANTA BARBARA BLVD
THE VILLAGES, FL 32159

(352) 259-2159



PUBLIX #1155

View Map327 COLONY BLVD
THE VILLAGES, FL 32162

(352) 391-1808



PUBLIX #1080

View Map3475 WEDGEWOOD LN
THE VILLAGES, FL 32162

(352) 751-6302



PUBLIX #1334

View Map1566 BELLA CRUZ DR
LADY LAKE, FL 32159

(352) 750-9863



PUBLIX #0447

View Map1120 BICHARA BLVD
LADY LAKE, FL 32159

(352) 750-2424



TARGET PHARMACY #2058

View Map716 N US HIGHWAY 441
THE VILLAGES, FL 32159

(352) 205-8943



WINN-DIXIE PHARMACY #2337

View Map944 BICHARA BLVD
LADY LAKE, FL 32159

(352) 753-6115



SAM'S CLUB #4998

View Map755 N US HIGHWAY 27
LADY LAKE, FL 32159

(352) 751-5989



CVS #05120

View Map860 AVENIDA CENTRAL
LADY LAKE, FL 32159

(352) 750-1118



RXCARE PHARMACY

View Map13733 N US HIGHWAY 441
LADY LAKE, FL 32159

(352) 391-5533



VINTAGE PHARMACY

View Map725 HIGHWAY 466
LADY LAKE, FL 32159

(352) 751-6895



WAL-MART #2843

View Map17861 S US HIGHWAY 441
SUMMERFIELD, FL 34491

(352) 307-4410



CVS #05226

View Map17817 SE 109TH AVE
SUMMERFIELD, FL 34491

(352) 347-6616





Note: A maximum of 20 pharmacies are shown. Other participating