Top OfFicers Urge Higher TriCare Fees

GovernmentExecutive.com ^ | 3 May 2010 | Otto Kreisher

[Sarajevo]

The leaders of the three naval services on Monday argued for an increase in the fees retired military personnel and their families pay for health care, something Congress has refused to approve for more than a decade.

Adm. Gary Roughead, the chief of naval operations; Gen. James Conway, the Marine Corps commandant; and Adm. Thad Allen, Coast Guard commandant, all complained about the soaring costs of healthcare and said increased contributions by the retirees for their TRICARE coverage is overdue.

Speaking at the Navy League's annual symposium at the National Harbor convention center, Roughead disagreed strongly with the demand by House Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee Chairman Gene Taylor, D-Miss., that the Navy retain its aging Perry-class frigates, which are at or near their expected service life limits.

And Allen, whose service is heavily engaged in fighting the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, rejected criticism that the Defense Department was not doing its part to address the massive environmental crisis.

Responding to a question about the impact of healthcare costs on their increasingly tight financial conditions, all three leaders said that was a growing problem. Roughead noted that on top of the expense for his active-duty force the expense of the half a million retirees "eats into our other programs."

Conway was more direct, saying there has not been an adjustment in the retirees payments for TRICARE in two decades "and that needs to be addressed."

Allen, who is a month from retirement, said he had just signed up for TRICARE Prime, the top-level defense medical coverage, for himself and his wife and paid only $465. "Something needs to be done about that."

Asked whether he would keep the frigates in service past their 30-year service life, Roughead said if the Navy "is not able to remove ships on plan, the only place to look for the money [to maintain them] is procurement."

Keeping old ships "means we don't build anything new," he said.

Taylor has complained that the retirement of existing ships keeps the Navy from increasing its fleet and has demanded that the Navy maintain the frigates.

Allen, in his opening comments, provided an update on the oil spill and warned that the only solution to the massive pollution threat would be to drill a new well to reduce the pressure on the well and then cap it. That would take at least 90 days, he said.

But Allen sharply disputed claims that the military was not helping. He said the Navy's salvage experts were called in immediately after the explosion on the offshore oil rig and other assistance was provided by the military.

[Sarajevo]

Allen, who is a month from retirement, said he had just signed up for TRICARE Prime, the top-level defense medical coverage, for himself and his wife and paid only $465. "Something needs to be done about that."

Yeah Allen, you can sign up for ObamaCare. I want the free medical, dental, and optical option I originally signed up for.

[pepsionice]

Once all these active duty guys get up to the final three months in service...they all wake up and realize the impact.

I thought I could rely on military coverage after I retired...then one day got fairly sick and tried to make an appointment. Seven days went by before they agreed to take me in.

All of this TRICARE talk...that it will continue on after ObamaCare starts...is mostly a joke. The military will realize the value of the deal and readily defend dumping all retirees over to it. There won’t be any real discussion and it’ll be obvious only at the last minute. So enjoy TRICARE while it lasts.

[Sarajevo]

I thought I could rely on military coverage after I retired...then one day got fairly sick and tried to make an appointment. Seven days went by before they agreed to take me in.

I had a similar problem. I didn't want to wait, so I went to the ER at BAMC.

TriCare has it's issues. It's basically the HillaryCare scam that wasn't accepted by the public, but was rammed down the military's throat.

IIRC, those on TriCare are exempt from ObamaCare. Presently, at least.

[TSgt]

TriCare and the VA should be eliminated.

Veterans should be able to go anywhere for medical services at anytime. Give them a special healthcare card and let them choose their own doctors and care.

We treat welfare recipients better than veterans and their families.

[Venturer]

The three complained about the rising cost of health care and then they reccomend that the health care costs be raised for retired military.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

“Veterans should be able to go anywhere for medical services at anytime. Give them a special healthcare card and let them choose their own doctors and care.
We treat welfare recipients better than veterans and their families.”

I could not agree more.

[verity]

My experience with TRICARE is exceptional.

[rbg81]

Have you tried finding a primary care provider for Tricare? The closest one we could find is 30 minutes away—and he is considering dropping out.

[verity]

You missed the point entirely.

The rising cost of healthcare is eating into their respective budgets.

[fredhead]

You want to send this to your ping list?

They (Admirals and Generals) don’t give a damn about the people who have served, any more than they care about the enlisted who are serving. Enlisted retirement pay is small enough as it is. I’ve been retired for 12 years and one of the big shocks was when my employer was no longer allowed to provide a Tricare supplement at no cost to me. Runs me about $70.00 a month for my “free” health care promised when I first enlisted. That’s on top of the $300.00 deductible each fiscal year. That’s what Congress did about two years ago instead of raising Tricare rates. Now the butthead officers are pushing to raise the rates.

I still work with the Navy. I see where all the budget cuts are affecting the fleet. Longer, more frequent deployments with less maintenance time, less money, less manpower. Trying to do more with a lot less.

[OldMissileer]

I don't see how they only get charged $465. I pay more than that for three of us.

Writing that: I have had extremely good care when I have used TRICARE. Prior to my enrolling I used TRICARE Standard but never saw a doctor but then I got really sick with MRSA.

I did not know what I had and waited a day after the painful lump started and then I was so sick my daughter drove me to DeWitt Army Hospital where they took one look and admitted me in Serious condition.

My care was GREAT! The folks were the BEST and I could not have had better treatment and more caring people treating me.

If rates go up for PRIME I will pay it. I just do not want to be shunted to Obamacare and I will fight to get that unconstitutional bill rescinded.

[RFEngineer]

“Veterans should be able to go anywhere for medical services at anytime.”

While I appreciate everyone’s military service - and I also served, this is a ridiculous suggestion.

I don’t have a problem with extended care for combat-injured vets, but that’s a small segment. The military medical system (and certainly the VA) is essentially socialized medicine, but to be fair, it was never advertised as anything more than that, and you know it.

Traditional military benefits/pension/medical after 20 years of service is not something that will survive in the long-term.

I know what the government “promised” - but taxpayers cannot and will not pay for military/federal/state/local retirees and welfare recipients “promised” benefits and do without medical coverage themselves in order to pay the taxes to pay for it.

Nobody feels sorry for the taxpayer, when they want something from the government.

Retirees of all kinds should get used to paying for the things that they need, government “promises” notwithstanding.

[RFEngineer]

“Runs me about $70.00 a month for my “free” health care promised when I first enlisted. That’s on top of the $300.00 deductible each fiscal year”

Are you seriously complaining about this cost? Seriously?

Your entire years premium + deductible is less than many folks MONTHLY insurance bill.

Why should you get it when the people that actually pay for your and their own healthcare pay far, far more?

I know....somebody “promised”.

[TSgt]

It’s not a ridiculous suggestion and is a core promise America makes with its veterans.

Someone who gives their life for their country should be afforded full medical benefits.

Cut welfare and other non-essential social spending and you’ll find the cash.

Is it too much to take care of those who were wounded or gave their entire life for their country?

I think not.

[TSgt]

At least you aren’t alone, Obama shares your view...

Veterans Groups Blast Obama Plan for Private Insurance to Pay for Service-Related Health Care
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/17/veterans-groups-blast-obama-plan-private-insurance-pay-service-related-health/

[Travis McGee]

Remember when military retirees were promised free health care for life as a guaranteed benefit?

[commish]

Exactly.

It is about choices. I have chosen to get Tricare Standard (Basically the old Champus). I have out of pocket costs with that coverage, but I also have the freedom to go to any Doctor I choose.

That is the choice I made, I will pay the extra costs not covered by Tricare Standard in exchange for not having to be tied to Tricare Prime’s horrible network and rules.

Other than being slow as molasses in paying the Docs, I have not had any problems with Tricare Standard.

[RFEngineer]

“Is it too much to take care of those who were wounded or gave their entire life for their country?”

Wounded vets? No. ALL vets? yes, it is too much to ask. I know, the government “promised”.

[mbynack]

Seven days went by before they agreed to take me in.

You're lucky. Two years ago my wife was having trouble breathing and we tried to get her in to see her Primary Care Manager (PCM). The appointment desk said, "there are no appointments available. Call back next month." We tried to get in to see a doctor downtown, but he refused to see her without a referral. We tried going through the Emergency room to get a referral and they wouldn't give us one unless we cleared it through the PCM. This went on for three months before she went in on one of my appointments.

Socialized medicine sucks. I can't change my PCM because the base has to approve it and they won't. I can't get in to see the doctor because there's no appointments available.

[TSgt]

Cut welfare and other entitlement spending and then come talk to me. Vets come first.