Questions regarding insurance after commissioning

[Capt MJ]

What is the “30 pct” piece?

We are at a point of trying to decide what to do…our oldest adult children all have coverage or have aged out. We now have only the USNA ‘junior’ who has signed his 2/7. Until this next year, dropping the family piece hasn’t been an issue….and it saves us about 300$/mo. Not insignificant! So we are now looking at whether to make the adjustment or not.

The 30% is the VA rated disability level which entitles the veteran to a higher tier of benefits. Too convoluted to explain here, but when a military member separates or retires from active service, they can apply to be evaluated for various conditions which developed during their time in uniform (service-connected) or through combat injuries, that are documented in their record. I have above 30%, so I am eligible for VA medical care and pharmacy benefit for those service-related conditions. This is entirely different from my DoD/DoN military retirement health benefit. I also get points added to any Federal civil service job application at 30% or greater.

You may want to keep current DS on your plan until he commissions. After signing two for seven, he’s unlikely to leave USNA, voluntarily or involuntarily but as we know from anecdotes related here, Things Do Happen. Or, find out if you can add him back fast if need be before aging out.

 

[Impulsive]

What is the “30 pct” piece?

We are at a point of trying to decide what to do…our oldest adult children all have coverage or have aged out. We now have only the USNA ‘junior’ who has signed his 2/7. Until this next year, dropping the family piece hasn’t been an issue….and it saves us about 300$/mo. Not insignificant! So we are now looking at whether to make the adjustment or not.

Sorry, should have clarified. Post discharge, if you get rated at 30% or better by either a Med Board or VA, you can get ALL your medical care at a VA facility, abet with some minor co-pays. Just be aware that many VA facilities have wait times approaching the 30 day maximum allowed, except for emergencies (where you go to a private hospital or Urgent Care Clinic and use your VA Card). Just be aware that VA then decides what constitutes an "Emergency". Many times the member will get bills because VA is terrible at paying outside providers.

There are "Levels" of care at VA, and certain criteria for care. They are based on % Disability, the higher your percentage the more likely you can get EVERYTHING treated (not just what is service connected) without co-pay, including drugs. IF, you or your children experience problems getting health care coverage thru either Tricare or VA, get to a Veterans Service Office. @$300.00 a month, you may be better off letting them go from your policy, and letting them continue with Tricare (check to make sure they can get Tricare after discharge) if in doubt about the VA. Whenever someone "transitions out" of the Service, they should ALWAYS seek advice of an Accredited VA Service Officer, BEFORE they actually separate.

 

[justdoit19]

Is the percentage based upon time in service?

 

[Capt MJ]

Is the percentage based upon time in service?

No. You could be a young Marine. barely a year out Parris Island, have a bad encounter with an IED, lose limb(s), permanent TBI, vision issues - the assessment occurs, formulas applied, and likely 100% disability rating.

As I said earlier, convoluted. That’s why there are certified VSOs to help navigate this.

The big key - it has to be documented in the military medical record. If it isn’t, the hill is very steep to prove service-connected.

About VA disability ratings | Veterans Affairs

We assign you a disability rating based on the severity of your service-connected condition. We use your disability rating to determine how much disability compensation you’ll receive each month, as well as your eligibility for other VA benefits. If you have multiple disability ratings, we use...

www.va.gov

 

[SOG-SA]

Bonus points, if your VA disability rating is better than your mathematics average from school!

Just sayin'....

 

[AROTC Parent]

What is the “30 pct” piece?

We are at a point of trying to decide what to do…our oldest adult children all have coverage or have aged out. We now have only the USNA ‘junior’ who has signed his 2/7. Until this next year, dropping the family piece hasn’t been an issue….and it saves us about 300$/mo. Not insignificant! So we are now looking at whether to make the adjustment or not.

@justdoit19 Confirm with your HR Department, but if your son were to lose medical insurance coverage as an AD servicemember at USNA < age 26 it is a 'qualifying event' allowing him to be added back on your policy. Dropping him from your policy now and adding him back on if a 'qualifying event' occurs is reasonable to save $300 per month. Qualifying Events Edit: These qualifying events trigger a Special Enrollment Period outside the annual period.

We dropped our youngest in July when he got his medical insurance from his first job after graduating. I confirmed with HR if he loses the job it is a qualifying event to get back on our insurance.

 

[NJDadofDSUSMA2024Hopeful]

Mine knew he would be deployed to the ME immediately following BOLC. He had some $ saved and rented car from Swap-A-Lease. He drove about 5000 miles visiting friends, family, Las Vegas before reporting to S-BOLC at Ft. Gordon. We had one last ski trip in Crested Butte before he left for the ME.

I think the moral of the story is to do exactly what you want during that time, because that luxury expires when you go AD. You're DS will figure it out and do great.

I expect it will involve some extensive mountain biking around the country, with me!

 

[cb7893]

I expect it will involve some extensive mountain biking around the country, with me!

Exactly!

There is so much great mountain biking around the US that you could go almost anywhere...well maybe not SE Nebraska and find great mountain biking along with other things to see and do.

Almost all my mountain biking experience has been in CO, specifically Gunnison County. However, we just spent a long weekend is NW Arkansas. What the third generation of Waltons has created there in terms of biking is nothing short of incredible.

Biking in Northwest Arkansas

With an impressive and ever-evolving network of trail systems, Northwest Arkansas is an international destination for biking.

northwestarkansas.org

 

[Impulsive]

No. You could be a young Marine. barely a year out Parris Island, have a bad encounter with an IED, lose limb(s), permanent TBI, vision issues - the assessment occurs, formulas applied, and likely 100% disability rating.

As I said earlier, convoluted. That’s why there are certified VSOs to help navigate this.

The big key - it has to be documented in the military medical record. If it isn’t, the hill is very steep to prove service-connected.

About VA disability ratings | Veterans Affairs

We assign you a disability rating based on the severity of your service-connected condition. We use your disability rating to determine how much disability compensation you’ll receive each month, as well as your eligibility for other VA benefits. If you have multiple disability ratings, we use...

www.va.gov

@Capt MJ as usual is correct. DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT!!! I always tell service members who are even thinking about "getting out" to get moving and complain and document everything wrong with you. Anything diagnosis wise noted in your STR's (service treatment records) leads to Service Connection without much effort as long as it is done within 12 months of separation. After 12 months of being separated, the third "prong' of VA Disability comes into play, continuity of care. This means that you need to show a history of treatment for the same diagnosed condition you had in service to gain service connection.

Far too many young service members fail to report accidents, injuries if minor, or health problems on forms because they think it will lead to dismissal or a Med Board. Not so, as long as it is not a "disqualifying injury or condition". Service members have lost limbs and returned to AD, so don't let filling out that health questionnaire after deployment or transfer, or when asked scare you, list everything that bothers you, including mental health. The standards for retention even with PTSD are far different from ascension standards. DO NOT MESS YOURSELF UP by not listing problems. Makes the VSO's job much easier, and you get what you are entitled to without having to go to Court or wait years.

 

[NJDadofDSUSMA2024Hopeful]

Exactly!

There is so much great mountain biking around the US that you could go almost anywhere...well maybe not SE Nebraska and find great mountain biking along with other things to see and do.

Almost all my mountain biking experience has been in CO, specifically Gunnison County. However, we just spent a long weekend is NW Arkansas. What the third generation of Waltons has created there in terms of biking is nothing short of incredible.

Biking in Northwest Arkansas

With an impressive and ever-evolving network of trail systems, Northwest Arkansas is an international destination for biking.

northwestarkansas.org

You are so right! I've mountain biked in 21 states. VT a lot, CO, NH, UT, NV, CA, ID, NY, NJ of course, etc. It can be found almost anywhere, you do't need a ton of elevation. A few friends and I who do an annual trip to Kingdom Trails (which you must try!) were talkin about making the next trip to Bentonville. I've heard it's awesome. And in 2.5 years @cb7893, you and I will be practically neighbors as we're moving to Durango, CO. I will have to hit you up for the best of Gunnison/Crested Butte!

 

[cb7893]

You are so right! I've mountain biked in 21 states. VT a lot, CO, NH, UT, NV, CA, ID, NY, NJ of course, etc. It can be found almost anywhere, you do't need a ton of elevation. A few friends and I who do an annual trip to Kingdom Trails (which you must try!) were talkin about making the next trip to Bentonville. I've heard it's awesome. And in 2.5 years @cb7893, you and I will be practically neighbors as we're moving to Durango, CO. I will have to hit you up for the best of Gunnison/Crested Butte!

Living in Nebraska now.

Fayetteville looked might attractive. We have long time friends there who promised not to move if we join them. Army son is stationed at Ft. Carson and CO Springs looks mighty attractive. Also it's close to brother and SIL and sister and BIL who live in CB during the Summer and Ski seasons.

I gave you a taste of NE Arkansas. Here's a taste of Gunnison County. This is the iconic single track in CB:

401 Trail – Crested Butte, CO | Mountain Biking and Hiking

If you love mountain biking, the 401 Trail of Crested Butte should be in your bucket list. The trail is one of the best in Colorado, providing miles and miles of fast downhill singletrack and endless beautiful views.

www.uncovercolorado.com

Happy Trails!