Medical Insurance

[tomjoni]

The parent guide suggests checking with our medical insurance companies to determine whether to keep our cadets on our medical policy in order to prevent coverage lapse in the event cadet leaves the Academy before graduation. We've spoken to 2 different people at our insurance company and received completely opposite responses!

So, we're coming to this forum to get the most current information from those who have been here before! We've read older posts which suggest absolutely no need to keep cadet on our health insurance. With all the health care laws changing, is this still OK to take them off? It's critical to us now as we're also looking at changing our policy/carrier in the next month. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

 

[ds52262]

Your cadet will be covered by TriWest under TriCare Prime in the event anything happens during BCT and their time at the Academy. If the need medical attention the 10Med Group will provide that care while at the Academy. In the event they need services that are not available at the Academy they will be transported to Penrose Memorial Hospital and cared for by appropriate civilian medical providers.

If they become "Medically Inelligible" to continue training they will have TriWest availble for the specific issue (dislocated knee etc.) By keeping them on your policy until they are "accepted" into the wing in August you will have a safety net in place. It will not be necessary after that.

We are military retiree's and our daughter was immediately made her own sponsor when she entered USAFA. If something had happened and she left she would still be eligible unil she turned 22 as long as she entered another school fulltime.

It does not make much sense to keep them on your policy after the Academic year starts.

 

[Christcorp]

ds52262. However, I do understand what the parent's guide is saying. Some medical insurance policies don't take force immediately. So are 30-90 after signing up. EVEN IF YOU JUST CANCELLED and want to restart it. That is what they are referring to.

If your insurance policy covers your dependents IMMEDIATELY, like car insurance, on the day you call them up, then you can cancel your child's coverage the minute they get to the academy. If your insurance company has any type of waiting period, you may NOT want to cancel your child's insurance with them until they have graduated BCT and started classes.

I doubt that a child rider on health insurance is a lot of extra money. In other words, it is probably best to leave them on your insurance until they graduate BCT and start classes. What's the harm. It isn't that much money. And if you want perspective, how much money are you saving with your child going to the academy? In those 6 weeks at basic, ANYTHING can happen. ds52262 mentioned that they'd be covered medically if they get injured at BCT. Even if they get disqualified because of an injury, they will be covered. But what if your child decides after 1 week that this place is not for them? They say the hell with it, and they want to come home. If your insurance has immediate coverage, great. If not, you need to think about it. Once your child leaves the academy, they aren't covered medically by the military unless they acquired a medical need while there.

I didn't have much choice. I am military. My son, like DS's, went from dependent to self sponsored the minute she got on the bus. But I did spend some money on pre-college expenses at our state university, so he would be enrolled and ready, should he had changed his mind. Luckily my son didn't change his mind, and luckily I only spent about $100 on university stuff. Considering what I saved on tuition, books, food, room, etc... I can live with that. Anyway, check with your insurance company. If your child quits the academy, and your insurance company has a 60 wait before coverage, that's 2 months of no medical coverage. good luck. mike...

 

[tomjoni]

That helps! Thanks!

Thanks, ds52262 and Christcorp!! Those are the issues that we'll work on getting clarified tomorrow. We totally appreciate your comments! This forum is such a great source of experience and info. Thanks again!