A couple of comments made on another thread which portray an unfair picture of military retiree medical care:
These comments are unfair to the Tricare system. I think Pima is describing Tricare Prime, which, if she doesn’t like, should change to Tricare Standard. This is an outstanding system when combined with a supplement. Most retirees in this category have a maximum of less than $1000 annually out of pocket including all physician and medication copays and supplemental premiums. Additionally, they select their own MDs in the private sector. To me, an outstanding plan.
I keep meticulous records. I have had 67 VA appointments. I can count on one hand the number of times I have been seen more than 10 minutes after my appointment time. Most of these were emergency scheduled overbooks a day or so prior. Actually, I show up 15-30 minutes early depending on the clinic and I am seen more often before my scheduled appointment time than after. On a few occasions I am actually on my way home at my scheduled time. With one single exception, where the MD attempted to be more stubborn than me, have I not had an ideal experience. Appointments have been very timely. Same day or over night for emergency critical and a couple of weeks for routine appointments. I have never felt rushed in a VA office. The doctors have time for you, are thorough, competent, and professional. Truly outstanding. Don’t listen to the ancient horror stories. Things have changed in the last few years.
While on active duty, you will also have outstanding medical service. The MDs may be a little younger and less experienced but they will order a lot more testing than private sector where they rely more on experience and are concerned about insurance coverage.
Pima said:To state Tri-Care is doing its job, when not in the program is like me stating Medicare is working (I am 45). I have no working knowledge of Medicare. If he thinks it is working so well, I would love to talk to him, since as a newly retired spouse, Bullet and I do everything humanly possible to stay away from tri-care. We actually pay out of pocket for primary insurance so we don't use it. AND YES, retirees pay for tri-care, thus we pay 2 insurance payments. The irony is under Tri-Care we pay 128 a month, with 20% co-pay, referrals, no vision and no dental. Under Bullet's office we pay 133 a month, no co-pay, no referrals, and have both vision and dental. We have kept Tri-Care because it picks up the difference for prescriptions from our other insurance.
These comments are unfair to the Tricare system. I think Pima is describing Tricare Prime, which, if she doesn’t like, should change to Tricare Standard. This is an outstanding system when combined with a supplement. Most retirees in this category have a maximum of less than $1000 annually out of pocket including all physician and medication copays and supplemental premiums. Additionally, they select their own MDs in the private sector. To me, an outstanding plan.
js3486 said:Perhaps you have heard of them they're called VA Medical Centers. It is where the government sends those that have been for lack of a better term broken or damaged by military service. Quite honestly the day I got private health insurance was the last day I ever stepped foot in one. Why because unless you are bleeding or about to die it takes 4 or 5 months to get an appointment. Yes that is here in America... and yes that is what we are headed to nationally.
I keep meticulous records. I have had 67 VA appointments. I can count on one hand the number of times I have been seen more than 10 minutes after my appointment time. Most of these were emergency scheduled overbooks a day or so prior. Actually, I show up 15-30 minutes early depending on the clinic and I am seen more often before my scheduled appointment time than after. On a few occasions I am actually on my way home at my scheduled time. With one single exception, where the MD attempted to be more stubborn than me, have I not had an ideal experience. Appointments have been very timely. Same day or over night for emergency critical and a couple of weeks for routine appointments. I have never felt rushed in a VA office. The doctors have time for you, are thorough, competent, and professional. Truly outstanding. Don’t listen to the ancient horror stories. Things have changed in the last few years.
While on active duty, you will also have outstanding medical service. The MDs may be a little younger and less experienced but they will order a lot more testing than private sector where they rely more on experience and are concerned about insurance coverage.