Posted on 10/27/2015 11:27:32 AM PDT by Marie
Hello, FReepers!
Hubs is getting ready to retire from the military and we're having some trouble getting straight answers on the TriCare Prime for retirees situation. Specifically, the family coverage. (I need it)
Cost is the big one.
I'm seeing everything from $555 a year to more than $960 a month. It's very frustrating because we're trying to figure out our post-retirement budget.
565.20 a year for prime family plan, just paid it a few weeks ago, $12 copay, $300 annual deductible $3000 annual catastrophic cap. If you choose to use the base for medical it’s free, unless you are referred off post. You can also continue your dental for less than $40 a month. My wife’s yearly OBGYN checkups are completely free off post.
may i ask which plan you have? Prime or standard? Are you within 50 miles of a military base?
It’s good to know that you can write off medical expenses on your taxes. I didn’t know that.
We have Tricare Prime. The closest military installation is about 150 miles from us.
There are some rules of course, some people may make too much based on the amount of the write off.
Looks like you’re getting mostly excellent information. TriCare Prime is running this retired NCO about $530/year; the premium payments are deducted monthly from my retirement check.
Mrs. Jinx went through cancer surgery last year and didn’t pay a dime. (We have a supplement that picked up the $25 co-pay for the hospital stay). Most of the doctors here in town are good about accepting TriCare reimbursement; and Canyon Vista (are you still here?) is great with TriCare.
Prescriptions are done through Express Scripts, I pay nothing for my maintenance drugs and very low co-pays for prescriptions I fill at Wal-Mart.
TriCare For Life (TFL) is a Medicare supplement that pays all costs after Medicare after you become Medicare-eligible. Your TriCare Prime converts to TFL at that point.
Tax write-off: any expenses not covered by insurance over 7% of your adjusted gross income is deductible on your Federal taxes. Even if you can’t deduct at the Federal level, complete the forms because all of those expenses (medicine co-pays, eyeglasses, transportation costs to go to the hospital in Tucson, etc.) are deductible here in Arizona.
Thank you. It’s time to start saving receipts!
You will be enrolled in Standard if more than 50 miles from a military treatment facility. Free but co-pays up to your deductible.
The latest change having the most impact is the distance from the nearest military treatment facility which decides what Tricare program you can use.
If you can use an MTF, they fill up their quotas for providers about this time of year—if there aren’t enough slots, you have to go to a civilian provider which will cost you a copayment for every visit.
I’m pleased with the care and coverage—never had to wait more than a day for an appointment or referral. All good. Being able to have prescriptions filled on base is also savings to you.
Thank you for your family’s service to the country.
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