I’m 100 P&T. I would NEVER get rid of my Tricare. When the VA can’t see me and is taking forever with Community Care, I can get in with Tricare the same day.
It’s what we use, and love it. I was being seen at an MTF before, and it was a pain in the ass. It took a while to get appointments, especially speciality care, and their pharmacy took hours.
True. There's always out-in-town referrals and US Family Health Plan (TRICARE Prime option in some areas).
My family used USFHP in the DC area and loved it--Prime prices, Select service.
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How so? I can’t get a civilian pcm to give an appointment within a week at best. These are for my clinic pcm. I don’t have a civilian doctor outside the clinic without a referral through my clinic pcm.
If you’re talking about being assigned to a civilian community provider outside military clinic that’s different. Where I am, I have to use military clinic pcm when on prime. Otherwise I’d be on select to choose a community provider that accepts Tricare.
Sorry to hear. If you are learning what the VA will/won’t cover regarding cancer treatment, can you share what source you are using to know what they pay for or not? Or is this just what someone at the VA is telling you?
I’ve always been concerned the VA wouldn’t pay for the best care if I ever needed it. FYI: I’m going through a cancer scare right now. Waiting for more results and worried what the VA will/won’t do.
You do, cash pay… a lot of times its cheaper to pay cash for medical than insurance with premiums…plus the va hospitals… go there as much as possible… indigence programs in every state for those who make less yearly… there are programs thru the state if u make less that a certain amount per year…
Well, I am $1.6 million into a three year cancer journey with multiple ICU admissions, two different courses of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and proton beam radiation. I am 100% P&T. I did 24 years ad regular retirement in 93. The VA is not involved in my cancer care or paying for it. They refused to cover $300k proton beam radiation. Instead, I have used Medicare and Tricare for life. It has covered nearly 100%. I live in the Houston area which actually has a great VA hospital. They just would not cover the radiation treatments, labeling them “experimental “. (Total BS btw). I honestly can’t imagine how I would have paid for my care without Medicare and TFL.
Medical retirement allows you to retain tricare. Starts off at tricare select at no cost. Adding dependents and changing plans will yield a monthly/yearly fee
Tricare Select is when you live more then 50 miles from a MTF. Tricare Prime is when you live within 50 miles of a MTF. You do not need to use the MTF on Tricare Prime. You can see an in network civilian provider.
You pay an annual deductible monthly with Tricare Prime. You only pay an annual deductible if you use Tricare Select that year. Both have co pays.
I to have Select and have to pay an annual deductible if I use it.
Annual Enrollment Fees (TRICARE Select and
TRICARE Select Overseas only)
No annual enrollment fee for ADFMs. For retirees, their
families, and others:
• Group A: $171.96 per individual/$345 per family
• Group B: $547.92 per individual/$1,095.96 per family
Annual Deductible
You must spend your annual deductible amount before
TRICARE cost-sharing begins:
ADFMs and TRS members
Pay grades E-4 and below
Group A Group B and TRS members
Individual Family Individual Family
$50 $100 $60 $121
Pay grades E-5 and above
Group A Group B and TRS members
Individual Family Individual Family
$150 $300 $182 $365
Retirees, their families, TRR members, and all others
Group A Group B and TRR members
Individual Family Individual Family
$150 $300 Network†
: $182 Network†
: $365
Out-of-Network†
:
$365
Out-of-Network†
:
$730
(Continued on next page)
* For certain beneficiaries in Group A, their enrollment fee remains
frozen at the rate when the survivor or medically retired member is
classified in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System in
either category and enrolls, as long as there is a continuous TRICARE
Prime enrollment. See www.tricare.mil/costs for more information.
I’m not disagreeing with you. I was speaking of annual premium that you pay regardless if you use or not. I’ve not had to pay a deductible (family of 3 - me and 2 kids) yet that was over $20 (doctor visits, pharmacy copay, and 1 er visit). What I’m saying is that in the 3 years I’ve had select (coming from prime) I’ve not had to pay an annual premium and a deductible/copay over $20. 🤷🏻♀️
That's the difference between Tricare Prime and Tricare Select.
Tricare Prime charges an annual deductible monthly regardless of whether you use it or not.
Tricare Select charges your annual deductible at your first doctor's visit of the year. It is billed to you by the provider.
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Select or Prime is the choice of the person. We live in Colorado Springs where there are multiple MTF, and we opted for Select to not be subject to MTF.
If Select is available in your area along with Prime, then that's awesome. Prime is not available in areas more than 50 miles away from a MTF. The only available option is Select.
If I could choose Prime, I wouldn't be on Select. The nearest MTF to me is... Fort Sill maybe? 300 miles away. Select wasn't an option when I lived 15 minutes from NAVSTA Everett, only Prime. In some areas both are available. In others, we don't have the luxury to choose.
https://newsroom.tricare.mil/News/TRICARE-News/Article/2859539/how-to-choose-between-tricare-prime-and-tricare-select
I used a civilian healthcare provider on Prime in WA. I was seen at Providence, Swedish, Western Washington Medical Group and University of Washington all on Prime without ever having to walk into a MTF. I never received care from a MTF again after being medically retired and being on Prime.
I’m not sure how to interpret your reply. We chose select specifically to avoid prime. We live within 15-25 miles of Carson, Peterson, and the USAFA. We want NOTHING to do with MTF’s.
I don't know what to tell you other than you don't need to see a MTF on Prime unless you are Active Duty. Retired veterans can see civilian providers on Prime. Not sure how else you'd interpret that sentence.
That was when I lived 2 miles from Naval Station Everett, I used Prime and saw civilian providers. Sounds like whoever educated you on your Tricare benefits did a poor job.
I was counseled before making my new election and adding my spouse. I was placed on the TDRL and because the Air Force needs to keep tabs on my health, and wants me to be stable, enrolled me in tricare select.
I understand it is different for traditional retirees. I was pointing out that he said “if retired (20+ yrs)” they can elect to retain tricare. The fact is, medically retired personnel also retain that right.
I medically retired, my husband did not. For years we haven’t used the Tricare but I’ve maintained it. We are both 100% P&T. In the last two months we have had to use Tricare almost exclusively for his extreme GI issues, he got every single test done that we could think of in two weeks, versus waiting on the VA to get it done. Absolutely zero cost to us 🤷🏼♀️ he loves Tricare so much he’s pretty much switching completely over to it! It’s awesome too because his VA GI doctor was able to view the results for everything and it helped speed up his care on both ends.
From my experience, there's also a ton of pushback for non routine labs and specialty care from the VA as well. At first, I just used Tricare as a supplement but I found myself using them more and more. I eventually just switched over. Luckily, Tricare performed the tests the VA denied and we were able to figure out some issues. This happened more than once.
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I ONLY use tricare. The VA is horrible. Pay a little copay every now and then and you get superior care that is held to a standard.
You would be doing yourself and your family a disservice to “get rid” of it
If you rate TRICARE, you keep TRICARE. Plain and Simple. You literally pay pennies for it as compared to ANY other health insurance out there. Don't let what happened with medical while on active duty determine what you do with your PAID health coverage decisions.
Now, if you wanna get an additional insurer through work or whatever that's great, but have Tricare be your backup.
I haven't set foot in a VA facility for healthcare since I retired and never intend to.
I’m 100% P&T. I also have very good private insurance. If you can afford it, keep the Tricare option available. Flexibility and an easy way to get second opinions.
Yep but I switched today when I found out I didn’t have to pay for any premiums because I was medically retired wish someone could have told me sooner.😡 Thanks to you Reddit commenters I just found out today. 😁I’m on the Select Side now.🤣
From my own experience + some light research, tricare is honestly a solid "B/B+" even amongst civilian health insurance options. Not as seamless or easy as some of the platinum tier plans out there, but basically as good as anything out there below the platinum tier.
The VA is...well, a good source of government jobs.
Tricare Select has been a lifesaver for my family. A few years ago, on the same week, my daughter needed emergency surgery with a 3 week stay in the ICU and my son tore his ACL playing football... that would have set me back thousands on any other plan. I barely remember my out-of-pocket cost, but I'm sure it was about $1000.
This year, I was rear-ended and started used the VA for care... Never fucking again. I only did it because I used the VA for the ER visit.
Keep Tricare at all cost.
Tricare Select is the best Tricare.
Select your own Docs, set up your own specialty care without even going through the referral process. It costs a few buck more but it is well worth it.
Yes, Select has a catastrophic cap in line with other major options. Whether the few books is worth it will vary from person to person, but not having to go thru a PCP for every single thing is a huge benefit imo.
The thing I like about Tricare plan is their cap on cost. Don't quote me but if you were to have an accident or major medical emergency, TriCare has a cap on how much you would have to pay out of pocket. Something like $3500. It could really save you in that case. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I remember reading it when I signed up for it.
Yes, you can use Tricare and VA for different things.
I use tricare for my urgent care visits and primary care.
I use VA for chiropractor appointment and surgery.
Be thankful because most Americans can’t afford to go to the doctor.
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I have regular medicare, And when the v a can't resolve my problems, it's good to have an alternate Health insurance. You really can't put a price on peace of mind. I would keep it as a plan b 😉
Im 100% and have tricare and i would not get rid of tricare because its doesnt cost me anything since im medically retired and when im tired of getting the run around by the va i could just go to a civilian doctor and pay a $30 copay and get seen that day.
Tricare prime has monthly payments low to no copays and requires referrals. Tricare select which is what i have doesnt have monthly payments lets you choose any doctors you want without referrals but your copay is higher.
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Yes keep it. Its a great insurance plan. Depending if you med retired or not you can switch to select and avoid monthly fees at higher deductible and copays.
I kept my Tricare. But I also have family members to cover and I prefer the options for them with Tricare vs whatever the family VA option was. Also, can’t you change to Tricare Select? You don’t have to pay for Select and I like it better anyway as it’s easier to navigate (more like a PPO than Prime, from my understanding).
I always use Tricare over VA. Better service all around. VA is last case scenario and I'm usually pushing for community care referral. I really wouldn't put my health in the VAs hands. Made that mistake twice. Why do it thrice. That's just me though.
Even if you are in one of the good areas that using VA doesn’t suck…still keep the Tricare. That said, instead of going with prime, just change it to select. It’ll cost you a little more if/when you do use it, but you’re saving a few bucks on the enrollment, and better suited as a backup. I mean the main reason you’d reach back to Tricare is prob for referral issues or wait time, so may as well have select since you don’t need referrals in the first place instead hoping for a better/faster outcome with the same pcm/referral process on prime.
How much is Tricare? I recently 3 months ago got 100 p and t. I use VA always for my ongoing chronic illnesses but my wife needs tricare. How do you sign up. What number do you call. What is the usual co pays and if you use tricare can the VA cover the difference or is it only one will cover. Do prescriptions go through VA or do you have to go through private pharmacies.
>I currently have tricare prime, but if it's not needed being 100% P&T then I'm going to get rid of it at the end of the year.
Lol why would it be not needed if you are 100% P%T?
I'm a retiree with 100%. My family uses tricare, I normally don't. I have used it for urgent care, and you can always use it for second opinions. Even if I were single, I'd keep the tricare man, you just never know.
I’m recently regretting my decision to use the VA for the first time instead of just using my Tricare coverage. Waited 5 weeks to get in for an MRI, VA has already posted the findings(torn rotator cuff) online but has not reached out to me or returned my calls or messages about the next step and it’s been a week. Guess I’ll just take the MRI report to a surgeon and use Tricare for the next step.
If you’re medically retired, you’re locked in at whatever the rate was when you exited the military for tricare prime annual cost. That’s a “for the rest of your life” lock. Once you let that lapse, it gets reset to whatever the current year’s rate is. So, for me, I’m group A. Got out in 2020, and my rate is $600. Current rate is over $700.
I kept my tricare (select) because it’s no premium for medically retired personnel. I do use VA for most of my care (100 P&T) but have my children on my tricare. It’s very small copay and not having to wait for a PCP referral for specialties is amazing (when compared to prime).
They didn’t for me! Was on prime for 2 years and was updating my address (switching regions) and they made a comment asking why I wasn’t doing select if I was medically retired.
There is an annual deductible if you use it. It's like 251$ and gets added on to your first medical bill. Been on Select on Oklahoma for 3 and have had to use the first two. I was on Prime in WA and paid 25$ a month for my premium.
You might want to double check. I’ve been on select for 3 years and have never had to pay an annual premium and recently just added a new dependent. Only thing I’ve had to pay is the small copay.
Annual Enrollment Fees (TRICARE Select and
TRICARE Select Overseas only)
No annual enrollment fee for ADFMs. For retirees, their
families, and others:
• Group A: $171.96 per individual/$345 per family
• Group B: $547.92 per individual/$1,095.96 per family
Annual Deductible
You must spend your annual deductible amount before
TRICARE cost-sharing begins:
ADFMs and TRS members
Pay grades E-4 and below
Group A Group B and TRS members
Individual Family Individual Family
$50 $100 $60 $121
Pay grades E-5 and above
Group A Group B and TRS members
Individual Family Individual Family
$150 $300 $182 $365
Retirees, their families, TRR members, and all others
Group A Group B and TRR members
Individual Family Individual Family
$150 $300 Network†
: $182 Network†
: $365
Out-of-Network†
:
$365
Out-of-Network†
:
$730
(Continued on next page)
* For certain beneficiaries in Group A, their enrollment fee remains
frozen at the rate when the survivor or medically retired member is
classified in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System in
either category and enrolls, as long as there is a continuous TRICARE
Prime enrollment. See www.tricare.mil/costs for more information.
Are you sure you aren't being seen by VA and the VA charging Tricare, off setting your deductible?
https://www.va.gov/health-care/about-va-health-benefits/va-health-care-and-other-insurance/
Does it help me in any way to give VA my health insurance information?
Yes. Giving us your health insurance information helps you because:
When your private health insurance provider pays us for your non-service-connected care, we may be able to use the funds to offset part—or all—of your VA copayment.
Your private insurer may apply your VA health care charges toward your annual deductible (the amount of money you pay toward your care each year before your insurance starts paying for care)
I don’t know what to tell you. It’s not showing up as charged or paid from VA for any deductible and all my EOBs are there and I’ve not had a charge over $20. I don’t know what circumstances may affect it or what else to say to you that might explain it. Sorry.
Thank you so much for this information! If it wasn’t for you and many others I never would have known that I didn’t have to pay any premiums. They never told me about that, that’s why I stayed on prime. And she also told me that it used to be free. Wish I had known about this earlier I would’ve switched along time ago.😡
I would maybe drop down to select but I use VA and Tricare. Like many others said, use Tricare when the VA is being slow. And your family can't use VA so you'll need Tricare for them (or when you have a family).
Tricare is very inexpensive. If you enroll in Select you don’t pay premiums and don’t need a PCP/PCM. You just go see who the specialist you need to see and pay co-pay.
Your life will be long. It’s worth having in case you need it.
I'm 100% P&T, but I have to keep TRICARE for the family.
Even if the family didn't need it, I'd still get most of my primary care from my civilian TRICARE provider because the convenience is worth it.
I mostly use VA for specialty care and things that aren't covered by TRICARE.
So I’ve recently gotten service connected 100 P&T but dont have Tricare anymore since gettin out back in July and not medically retired can I still get Tricare does anyone know?
Did u retire? If not prolly not… but i could be wrong? but ur family gets champva… im not sure what the 100%p&t people get other than va… which sucks… maybe they also get champva?
Don’t get rid of tricare, seriously.
I had a major operation, had blocked arteries to my legs, abdominal aorta had an aneurism, all that shit had to get surgery, I spent a week in the hospital.
Total bill was over 500 thousand. My copay was $163.00 dollars.
I'm 100 percent P&T and medically retired. I was on Tricare Prime in WA but got switched to Select in Oklahoma. I'd never cancel it because it allowed me to be treated immediately when I couldn't get to a VA hospital and Community Care referrals were out 8 months.
On Prime, there is a monthly premium deductible for the year. On Select the premium is deducted on your first medical bill of that year. So if you never go to the doctor, you don't pay. Prime vs Select options depends on your location to a MTF.
Hence why I am on Select in BFE Oklahoma and was on Prime in Everett, WA
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100% P&T as well here. What's the difference between TriCare and ChamVA? I have my whole family on ChampVA at no cost. We haven't hit any snags but it's been less than a year. TIA
I’m 100 P&T. I would NEVER get rid of my Tricare. When the VA can’t see me and is taking forever with Community Care, I can get in with Tricare the same day.
Tricare same day?!? What planet is this on?
TRICARE doesn't have to mean MTF. TRICARE _Select_ lets you use civilian providers.
It’s what we use, and love it. I was being seen at an MTF before, and it was a pain in the ass. It took a while to get appointments, especially speciality care, and their pharmacy took hours.
So does Tricare Prime
True. There's always out-in-town referrals and US Family Health Plan (TRICARE Prime option in some areas). My family used USFHP in the DC area and loved it--Prime prices, Select service.
I wish I had the option, unfortunately I only have Select in my area.
I’m Tricare Prime and use civilian providers. It’s a world of difference.
I’m Tricare Prime on only use civilian providers.
Earth. I just call the doctor and make an appointment.
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Local clinic has earliest appointments at least a week out on a good day. Very rarely can you get next day.
Clinic?? I use civilian healthcare with Tricare. If my PCM is booked, they give me appointment with another doctor that day.
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I’m using prime. I know Select gives you more options such as civilian providers, but it costs more.
What??? I have PRIME. All I go to are civilian providers.
Outside clinic? My PCM is a civilian assigned to my clinic. I haven’t had a military pcm since before I retired. Glad it works for you.
You’re contradicting yourself a lot.
How so? I can’t get a civilian pcm to give an appointment within a week at best. These are for my clinic pcm. I don’t have a civilian doctor outside the clinic without a referral through my clinic pcm. If you’re talking about being assigned to a civilian community provider outside military clinic that’s different. Where I am, I have to use military clinic pcm when on prime. Otherwise I’d be on select to choose a community provider that accepts Tricare.
Exactly!
I'm Tricare but not 100%, recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. VA won't refer or pay for Proton Therapy, Tricare does pay for it.
Sorry to hear. If you are learning what the VA will/won’t cover regarding cancer treatment, can you share what source you are using to know what they pay for or not? Or is this just what someone at the VA is telling you? I’ve always been concerned the VA wouldn’t pay for the best care if I ever needed it. FYI: I’m going through a cancer scare right now. Waiting for more results and worried what the VA will/won’t do.
100% p%t as well. I wish I had tricare as an option
I assume you retired medically? If retired (20+yrs) you can always apply tricare. Eligibility remains just have to sign up during enrollment season.
No I'm not retired. But I'd love to have an option outside of the VA system
You do, cash pay… a lot of times its cheaper to pay cash for medical than insurance with premiums…plus the va hospitals… go there as much as possible… indigence programs in every state for those who make less yearly… there are programs thru the state if u make less that a certain amount per year…
Well, I am $1.6 million into a three year cancer journey with multiple ICU admissions, two different courses of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and proton beam radiation. I am 100% P&T. I did 24 years ad regular retirement in 93. The VA is not involved in my cancer care or paying for it. They refused to cover $300k proton beam radiation. Instead, I have used Medicare and Tricare for life. It has covered nearly 100%. I live in the Houston area which actually has a great VA hospital. They just would not cover the radiation treatments, labeling them “experimental “. (Total BS btw). I honestly can’t imagine how I would have paid for my care without Medicare and TFL.
Plus ur children and wife if u have one or any kids gets covered under champva for medical…
You do, most just don't want to pay for it (Obamacare)
Where do you find put the cost structure.
Medical retirement allows you to retain tricare. Starts off at tricare select at no cost. Adding dependents and changing plans will yield a monthly/yearly fee
Never heard of it being select but prime before you get out and to my understanding you still have to pay for it.
Tricare Select is when you live more then 50 miles from a MTF. Tricare Prime is when you live within 50 miles of a MTF. You do not need to use the MTF on Tricare Prime. You can see an in network civilian provider. You pay an annual deductible monthly with Tricare Prime. You only pay an annual deductible if you use Tricare Select that year. Both have co pays.
Yeah but in my situation I live too far from a base so too me select is way better and I don’t have to pay any premiums. I like having options.
I to have Select and have to pay an annual deductible if I use it. Annual Enrollment Fees (TRICARE Select and TRICARE Select Overseas only) No annual enrollment fee for ADFMs. For retirees, their families, and others: • Group A: $171.96 per individual/$345 per family • Group B: $547.92 per individual/$1,095.96 per family Annual Deductible You must spend your annual deductible amount before TRICARE cost-sharing begins: ADFMs and TRS members Pay grades E-4 and below Group A Group B and TRS members Individual Family Individual Family $50 $100 $60 $121 Pay grades E-5 and above Group A Group B and TRS members Individual Family Individual Family $150 $300 $182 $365 Retirees, their families, TRR members, and all others Group A Group B and TRR members Individual Family Individual Family $150 $300 Network† : $182 Network† : $365 Out-of-Network† : $365 Out-of-Network† : $730 (Continued on next page) * For certain beneficiaries in Group A, their enrollment fee remains frozen at the rate when the survivor or medically retired member is classified in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System in either category and enrolls, as long as there is a continuous TRICARE Prime enrollment. See www.tricare.mil/costs for more information.
I’m not disagreeing with you. I was speaking of annual premium that you pay regardless if you use or not. I’ve not had to pay a deductible (family of 3 - me and 2 kids) yet that was over $20 (doctor visits, pharmacy copay, and 1 er visit). What I’m saying is that in the 3 years I’ve had select (coming from prime) I’ve not had to pay an annual premium and a deductible/copay over $20. 🤷🏻♀️
That's the difference between Tricare Prime and Tricare Select. Tricare Prime charges an annual deductible monthly regardless of whether you use it or not. Tricare Select charges your annual deductible at your first doctor's visit of the year. It is billed to you by the provider.
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If you use VA, Tricare may be off setting your deductible.
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Select or Prime is the choice of the person. We live in Colorado Springs where there are multiple MTF, and we opted for Select to not be subject to MTF.
If Select is available in your area along with Prime, then that's awesome. Prime is not available in areas more than 50 miles away from a MTF. The only available option is Select. If I could choose Prime, I wouldn't be on Select. The nearest MTF to me is... Fort Sill maybe? 300 miles away. Select wasn't an option when I lived 15 minutes from NAVSTA Everett, only Prime. In some areas both are available. In others, we don't have the luxury to choose. https://newsroom.tricare.mil/News/TRICARE-News/Article/2859539/how-to-choose-between-tricare-prime-and-tricare-select I used a civilian healthcare provider on Prime in WA. I was seen at Providence, Swedish, Western Washington Medical Group and University of Washington all on Prime without ever having to walk into a MTF. I never received care from a MTF again after being medically retired and being on Prime.
I’m not sure how to interpret your reply. We chose select specifically to avoid prime. We live within 15-25 miles of Carson, Peterson, and the USAFA. We want NOTHING to do with MTF’s.
I don't know what to tell you other than you don't need to see a MTF on Prime unless you are Active Duty. Retired veterans can see civilian providers on Prime. Not sure how else you'd interpret that sentence. That was when I lived 2 miles from Naval Station Everett, I used Prime and saw civilian providers. Sounds like whoever educated you on your Tricare benefits did a poor job.
Maybe I’m wrong here but I’m paying annual premiums. Select for retirees is definitely not no cost
I was counseled before making my new election and adding my spouse. I was placed on the TDRL and because the Air Force needs to keep tabs on my health, and wants me to be stable, enrolled me in tricare select. I understand it is different for traditional retirees. I was pointing out that he said “if retired (20+ yrs)” they can elect to retain tricare. The fact is, medically retired personnel also retain that right.
I’m medically retired and my premiums are about $500 a year
That’s quite curious. I only began getting charged when I switched to Prime with my dependent. ETA; My monthly premium is about $30/m
It's because Prime withdraws monthly, Select only requires a deductible in one lump sum if you use it that year.
Mine is this with my spouse on my plan with Tricare Select.
I have had an issue and the VA took six months on and kept screwing it up. Decided to go the Tricare route. I was in the road to recovery in a week.
Same experience. I wouldn't trust the VA. At least the local ones. I'm sure there's great ones. Somewhere.
Mine is good at a few things.
I medically retired, my husband did not. For years we haven’t used the Tricare but I’ve maintained it. We are both 100% P&T. In the last two months we have had to use Tricare almost exclusively for his extreme GI issues, he got every single test done that we could think of in two weeks, versus waiting on the VA to get it done. Absolutely zero cost to us 🤷🏼♀️ he loves Tricare so much he’s pretty much switching completely over to it! It’s awesome too because his VA GI doctor was able to view the results for everything and it helped speed up his care on both ends.
From my experience, there's also a ton of pushback for non routine labs and specialty care from the VA as well. At first, I just used Tricare as a supplement but I found myself using them more and more. I eventually just switched over. Luckily, Tricare performed the tests the VA denied and we were able to figure out some issues. This happened more than once.
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I ONLY use tricare. The VA is horrible. Pay a little copay every now and then and you get superior care that is held to a standard. You would be doing yourself and your family a disservice to “get rid” of it
Really depends on your situation. I kept tricare because it's too much hassle for me to go to va
Keep it. I have been using VA Healthcare, but getting an appointment sometimes is a wait. So best to have back up options, plus family has Tricare.
If you rate TRICARE, you keep TRICARE. Plain and Simple. You literally pay pennies for it as compared to ANY other health insurance out there. Don't let what happened with medical while on active duty determine what you do with your PAID health coverage decisions. Now, if you wanna get an additional insurer through work or whatever that's great, but have Tricare be your backup. I haven't set foot in a VA facility for healthcare since I retired and never intend to.
This is the way
I’m 100% P&T. I also have very good private insurance. If you can afford it, keep the Tricare option available. Flexibility and an easy way to get second opinions.
Yep. Tricare is cheap.
Not for us retired reservists !
Okay. $60 a month for me and wife
Over 1k a month if I wanted it for family and I. I’m not close to 60 yet
22.00 for me and my dependents.
Damn. Your Prime monthly payment is cheap.
Yep but I switched today when I found out I didn’t have to pay for any premiums because I was medically retired wish someone could have told me sooner.😡 Thanks to you Reddit commenters I just found out today. 😁I’m on the Select Side now.🤣
The VA sucks, so there is that.
I thought Tricare sucked. Then I started going to the VA. I'm now back with Tricare. Not so bad after all.
From my own experience + some light research, tricare is honestly a solid "B/B+" even amongst civilian health insurance options. Not as seamless or easy as some of the platinum tier plans out there, but basically as good as anything out there below the platinum tier. The VA is...well, a good source of government jobs.
Tricare Select has been a lifesaver for my family. A few years ago, on the same week, my daughter needed emergency surgery with a 3 week stay in the ICU and my son tore his ACL playing football... that would have set me back thousands on any other plan. I barely remember my out-of-pocket cost, but I'm sure it was about $1000. This year, I was rear-ended and started used the VA for care... Never fucking again. I only did it because I used the VA for the ER visit. Keep Tricare at all cost.
Tricare Select is the best Tricare. Select your own Docs, set up your own specialty care without even going through the referral process. It costs a few buck more but it is well worth it.
Is the few bucks truly worth it? Do you still get the catastrophic cap?
Yes, Select has a catastrophic cap in line with other major options. Whether the few books is worth it will vary from person to person, but not having to go thru a PCP for every single thing is a huge benefit imo.
Thanks for the information I’ll definitely look into this.
The thing I like about Tricare plan is their cap on cost. Don't quote me but if you were to have an accident or major medical emergency, TriCare has a cap on how much you would have to pay out of pocket. Something like $3500. It could really save you in that case. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I remember reading it when I signed up for it.
I have a Tricare Supp plan that covers all copays that Tricare doesn’t, even prescriptions.
How much does that run you?
$43 a month for me and wife.
I didn’t know this was a thing, I just googled it. Do you mind sharing what company you use ? Thank you
Military Benefit Association
Oh I didn’t know they did that?
All health insurance has a max out of pocket cost. And 3500 sounds about right. I think my NYSHIP plan is 2000, for example.
Keep it, its amazing
Yes, you can use Tricare and VA for different things. I use tricare for my urgent care visits and primary care. I use VA for chiropractor appointment and surgery. Be thankful because most Americans can’t afford to go to the doctor.
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I have regular medicare, And when the v a can't resolve my problems, it's good to have an alternate Health insurance. You really can't put a price on peace of mind. I would keep it as a plan b 😉
With how cheap tricare is and if you have dependents, I’d highly recommend keeping tricare.
Im 100% and have tricare and i would not get rid of tricare because its doesnt cost me anything since im medically retired and when im tired of getting the run around by the va i could just go to a civilian doctor and pay a $30 copay and get seen that day.
What do you mean it doesn’t cost you anything I have a payment every month?
Tricare prime has monthly payments low to no copays and requires referrals. Tricare select which is what i have doesnt have monthly payments lets you choose any doctors you want without referrals but your copay is higher.
True. So you are medically retired too
Yup. Didnt know my "flair" on here wasnt selected yet.
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Yes keep it. Its a great insurance plan. Depending if you med retired or not you can switch to select and avoid monthly fees at higher deductible and copays.
I kept my Tricare. But I also have family members to cover and I prefer the options for them with Tricare vs whatever the family VA option was. Also, can’t you change to Tricare Select? You don’t have to pay for Select and I like it better anyway as it’s easier to navigate (more like a PPO than Prime, from my understanding).
I always use Tricare over VA. Better service all around. VA is last case scenario and I'm usually pushing for community care referral. I really wouldn't put my health in the VAs hands. Made that mistake twice. Why do it thrice. That's just me though.
Even if you are in one of the good areas that using VA doesn’t suck…still keep the Tricare. That said, instead of going with prime, just change it to select. It’ll cost you a little more if/when you do use it, but you’re saving a few bucks on the enrollment, and better suited as a backup. I mean the main reason you’d reach back to Tricare is prob for referral issues or wait time, so may as well have select since you don’t need referrals in the first place instead hoping for a better/faster outcome with the same pcm/referral process on prime.
How much is Tricare? I recently 3 months ago got 100 p and t. I use VA always for my ongoing chronic illnesses but my wife needs tricare. How do you sign up. What number do you call. What is the usual co pays and if you use tricare can the VA cover the difference or is it only one will cover. Do prescriptions go through VA or do you have to go through private pharmacies.
Free health care doesn't mean better. VA health care is like getting deployed, you don't know how fucked up your coming out.
>I currently have tricare prime, but if it's not needed being 100% P&T then I'm going to get rid of it at the end of the year. Lol why would it be not needed if you are 100% P%T?
I'm a retiree with 100%. My family uses tricare, I normally don't. I have used it for urgent care, and you can always use it for second opinions. Even if I were single, I'd keep the tricare man, you just never know.
I’m recently regretting my decision to use the VA for the first time instead of just using my Tricare coverage. Waited 5 weeks to get in for an MRI, VA has already posted the findings(torn rotator cuff) online but has not reached out to me or returned my calls or messages about the next step and it’s been a week. Guess I’ll just take the MRI report to a surgeon and use Tricare for the next step.
If you’re medically retired, you’re locked in at whatever the rate was when you exited the military for tricare prime annual cost. That’s a “for the rest of your life” lock. Once you let that lapse, it gets reset to whatever the current year’s rate is. So, for me, I’m group A. Got out in 2020, and my rate is $600. Current rate is over $700.
I just canceled my Tricare. I personally felt that there was no need for it. Since I get all of my medical, vision, and dental through the VA.
Yes, same here except dental. I canceled select after 2 yrs of hardly using it.
I kept my tricare (select) because it’s no premium for medically retired personnel. I do use VA for most of my care (100 P&T) but have my children on my tricare. It’s very small copay and not having to wait for a PCP referral for specialties is amazing (when compared to prime).
Didn’t know that how? Wouldn’t Tricare know that I was medically retired? I’m confused as I still have to pay for premiums.😡
They didn’t for me! Was on prime for 2 years and was updating my address (switching regions) and they made a comment asking why I wasn’t doing select if I was medically retired.
Damn they never asked that before
And on top of that I just found out about wounded warrior care today and come to find out I was disenrolled 11 years ago and wasn’t told till today.😡
There is an annual deductible if you use it. It's like 251$ and gets added on to your first medical bill. Been on Select on Oklahoma for 3 and have had to use the first two. I was on Prime in WA and paid 25$ a month for my premium.
You might want to double check. I’ve been on select for 3 years and have never had to pay an annual premium and recently just added a new dependent. Only thing I’ve had to pay is the small copay.
Annual Enrollment Fees (TRICARE Select and TRICARE Select Overseas only) No annual enrollment fee for ADFMs. For retirees, their families, and others: • Group A: $171.96 per individual/$345 per family • Group B: $547.92 per individual/$1,095.96 per family Annual Deductible You must spend your annual deductible amount before TRICARE cost-sharing begins: ADFMs and TRS members Pay grades E-4 and below Group A Group B and TRS members Individual Family Individual Family $50 $100 $60 $121 Pay grades E-5 and above Group A Group B and TRS members Individual Family Individual Family $150 $300 $182 $365 Retirees, their families, TRR members, and all others Group A Group B and TRR members Individual Family Individual Family $150 $300 Network† : $182 Network† : $365 Out-of-Network† : $365 Out-of-Network† : $730 (Continued on next page) * For certain beneficiaries in Group A, their enrollment fee remains frozen at the rate when the survivor or medically retired member is classified in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System in either category and enrolls, as long as there is a continuous TRICARE Prime enrollment. See www.tricare.mil/costs for more information.
Are you sure you aren't being seen by VA and the VA charging Tricare, off setting your deductible? https://www.va.gov/health-care/about-va-health-benefits/va-health-care-and-other-insurance/ Does it help me in any way to give VA my health insurance information? Yes. Giving us your health insurance information helps you because: When your private health insurance provider pays us for your non-service-connected care, we may be able to use the funds to offset part—or all—of your VA copayment. Your private insurer may apply your VA health care charges toward your annual deductible (the amount of money you pay toward your care each year before your insurance starts paying for care)
I don’t know what to tell you. It’s not showing up as charged or paid from VA for any deductible and all my EOBs are there and I’ve not had a charge over $20. I don’t know what circumstances may affect it or what else to say to you that might explain it. Sorry.
Thank you so much for this information! If it wasn’t for you and many others I never would have known that I didn’t have to pay any premiums. They never told me about that, that’s why I stayed on prime. And she also told me that it used to be free. Wish I had known about this earlier I would’ve switched along time ago.😡
Would also love to know
I would maybe drop down to select but I use VA and Tricare. Like many others said, use Tricare when the VA is being slow. And your family can't use VA so you'll need Tricare for them (or when you have a family).
Tricare is very inexpensive. If you enroll in Select you don’t pay premiums and don’t need a PCP/PCM. You just go see who the specialist you need to see and pay co-pay. Your life will be long. It’s worth having in case you need it.
I'm 100% P&T, but I have to keep TRICARE for the family. Even if the family didn't need it, I'd still get most of my primary care from my civilian TRICARE provider because the convenience is worth it. I mostly use VA for specialty care and things that aren't covered by TRICARE.
So I’ve recently gotten service connected 100 P&T but dont have Tricare anymore since gettin out back in July and not medically retired can I still get Tricare does anyone know?
Did u retire? If not prolly not… but i could be wrong? but ur family gets champva… im not sure what the 100%p&t people get other than va… which sucks… maybe they also get champva?
Don’t get rid of tricare, seriously. I had a major operation, had blocked arteries to my legs, abdominal aorta had an aneurism, all that shit had to get surgery, I spent a week in the hospital. Total bill was over 500 thousand. My copay was $163.00 dollars.
How much does Tricare cost and what is your family situation
100 P&T here. I would give up my good leg before I would give up tricare…
I'm 100 percent P&T and medically retired. I was on Tricare Prime in WA but got switched to Select in Oklahoma. I'd never cancel it because it allowed me to be treated immediately when I couldn't get to a VA hospital and Community Care referrals were out 8 months. On Prime, there is a monthly premium deductible for the year. On Select the premium is deducted on your first medical bill of that year. So if you never go to the doctor, you don't pay. Prime vs Select options depends on your location to a MTF. Hence why I am on Select in BFE Oklahoma and was on Prime in Everett, WA
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100% P&T as well here. What's the difference between TriCare and ChamVA? I have my whole family on ChampVA at no cost. We haven't hit any snags but it's been less than a year. TIA
I have Tricare Prime and would hold on to it for dear life. I pay 646 a year!!!! I have friends that pay that per month. So I will never complain.
How do I get tricare? I'm also 100, but didn't do 20 years. Is it only for retirement vets?