Tri-Care Prime
 

Hi Everyone! This is my first post. I am retired military and my wife and I are under the age of 65, so not yet Medicare eligible. We currently use Tricare Prime in Colorado Springs. We will be moving to the Villages (Well Point) full time in August. We are looking for Primary Care doctor recommendations that accept Tricare Prime. Or is Tricare Select a better option when living in the Villages? Thanks in advance for your time and insights.

When I retired I didn’t have those options for tricare so this may or may not apply?

I moved here over 10 years ago at 63 I had tricare, then tricare for life. I have had no problems before I turned 65 or after I turned 65. The only problem if you want use village health (VH) care system you will probably have get supplement from United health care (UHC) (I wouldn’t if it causes you loose any tricare benefits?).

You can still see VH specialists. Which I have had no problems seeing specialist or with billing.

We were in the same boat, both retired military and under 65. Dr Norman Novis takes TriCare Prime and we've been happy with his practice.

Welcome to Well Point! I have TFL, but opted to find healthcare in the VA Clinic in the very north of The Villages. Getting there from Well Point requires … determination; it’s a 90-minute golf car ride. We’ve only been here a month and I’ve had an appointment with my new PCM already. Access to care seems very good. I can’t opine on the quality of that care at this early stage.

Likewise under 65 military retired tricare prime and coming to Well Point soon. I just change my PCM to Tanya Diaz.

To qualify for tri-care prime, do you need to have 20 years of military service?

Villages Health only allows selected Medicare Advantage Plans.

Use Tricare website and do a search for network providers for Prime. There were plenty around TV when I used Prime prior to turning 65. Select is definitely another option.

While I understand you are under 65, I would still suggest at least a quick phone call to SHINE (search Florida SHINE, Senior Health information Network), as they provide unbiased information which you will find useful as you approach 65, they saved us from making what would have been a very expensive mistake years ago.

SHINE is the place to go!

Those volunteers are very knowledgeable and are not selling anything. They are simply providing great unbiased information.

When I became eligible for Medicare, they led me through a mass of information and I wound up saving a bucket load of money!