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.
One of the points of confusion is this:
What’s the difference between ‘enrollment fee’ and ‘premiums’?
Does TriCare Prime for families with retirement cover the same things as TriCare for active duty? Are we supposed to be seen on the economy or on post?
My last Tricare Prime payment, 2 years ago before I hit 65 was about $70 a month for me and $70 for my wife. You will need to contact Tricare via internet site, since they closed down all of the offices in military hospitals where one could ask questions such as yours.
I chose to go with Tricare Prime, not Tricare for Life which is typically for retirees. My Tricare premium for the entire family is roughly $600 annually.
you do not get dental coverage but do get vision checking once a year and a set of glasses if needed (nice black or brown frames)
If you are near a military base, you should contact the hospital/medical clinic to find out your options. If you are too far away, then Tricare Prime becomes a ‘primary payer.’ (I think it is still that way.)
It is $5XX per year for both of you. Depending upon where you live you may be eligible for the US Fanily Health Plan that is offered by TRICARE. I use it here in the Puget Sound area and you really can’t beat the low co-pays.
http://www.tricare.mil/Plans/HealthPlans/USFHP.aspx
I have one child still on my TRICARE Prime and we pay about $90 per month. Also, there is really no difference between being retired and active except you will have a copay of $12 to see a doctor and a small copay, usually under $10 for prescriptions except for some special drugs.
I had both of my knees replaced last year, one in June and one in December. Each replacement cost $25, which is the maximum allowable charge to a TRICARE beneficiary.
I had to pay the copays for my pain meds and such but they came to under $20 each time I picked up a prescription and that was always for two or three meds at a time.
I also should point out that both my wife and I have had to have MRIs, X-rays, and CT Scans (me for my knees/back and a cancer scare for my wife) and have yet to pay a penny.
I’m a USAF retiree, if that is ok?
FACT: Family, Tricare Prime, $556.00 annual cost.
You can go plain Tricare—which is what every retiree gets, and doesn’t cost anything...
Or Tricare Prime, which covers much more, but costs $555 for the whole family. Still VERY cheap compared to others—you must live within 50 miles to a base, post, yard, fort or field.
Tricare for Life kicks in when the retiree turns 65.
No, Tricare for Life is for older retirees. I think it is a supplement to Medicare.
I am 57, currently on Tricare Prime. I am told I have to go Tricare for Life when I am 65.
Is this true, or can I stay on Tricare Prime?
When you turn 65 you must go on TFL.
The lower price is the answer for Tricare Prime (retired)
We ditched Tricare Prime and went Tricare Standard about 10 months after I retired because of the pain it was getting in to see our PCM and then obtaining referrals.
Now I have an Internist who will see me within a day or two. My wife sees her GYN when she wants, no referral required. My daughter, who is a competitive athlete, can see a physical therapist as needed, usually same day instead of going through the goat rope and not being seen by a PT for 2-3 weeks. Again, no referral required.
The down side is we have to pay 20%-30% copay, up to a catastrophic cap of $3,000 a year. For my family a supplement will run $1,800, so I rolled the dice and decided to just pay out of pocket and write it off on taxes.
I honestly wish I had taken a closer look at Tricare Standard before I retired, I would have had my family on it years ago.
This is obviously a YMMV decision.
Good luck!
Tricare for Life is for Medicare eligible retirees.
Medicare pays it’s usual amount, Tricare picks up the rest. My Mom is Tricare for Life. recently had cancer surgery along with chemo. She didn’t have to pay a dime.
Thanks!
I called TriCare and she gave me two options for our particular situation. A lot of it will depend on where we settle when he does get out.
Is this true, or can I stay on Tricare Prime?
Apparently when you become eligible for Tricare for Life, you are no longer eligible for Tricare Prime.
OH, thanks for being a supportive military wife! We can’t do it without y’all!
“I’d really appreciate hearing it from the horse’s mouth. “
Neigh.
I retired in 2013. For myself, my wife and one daughter we pay right at $50 a month. We have copays now of usually $12. There are also occasional copays for certain tests. But once you reach the cap you’ll pay nothing the rest of the year.
My wife has a permanent prescription and it is quite inexpensive. Although now she will have to register to get them through the mail or else pay full price. Either that or we have to go to a military installation.
You can go on post if you want or off post. If you go on post you are not as high a priority as active duty.
As far as I know Tricare Prime for retirees covers the same as for active duty.
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