I just feel like i need to voice myself on how screwed up tricare is. I just dont understand how a coastie serves his country honorably for 7 years with 2 tours to Iraq and goes into the reserves and can't qualify for tricare select reserves medical plan but some dirtbag gets a dishonorable discharge and gets kicked out gets 180 days of tri-care after discharge. Oh yeah the FEHB plan. great idea...NOT!!, $1,996 dollars for 3 months, who are they kidding. Just another perfect example of how the gov't treats it's faithful soldiers and sailors.

My problem w/ Tri-care is the quality of medical service and lack of followup I was getting in the N VA area. I hear that at other places it is good. Well, here in N VA is $ucks! I was told by someone here in Puzzle Palace, DC that the real reason is that while you are active duty, you are an "Asset" on the CG's Balance Sheet. When you retire, you are move to the right side of the accounting equation, becoming then a "Liability" and that's how you are treated. And by the way, this comment was made to me by someone who works directly out of the Assistant Commandant for Human Resources! Not my comment, but I sure can agree w/ it.

I suspect "how good" Tri-Care is depends to a great deal on your location. I'm in Phoenix and when I shifted to Tri-Care I was able to keep all the same doctors (including specialists) that I had when I was covered by civilian insurance.

When I look up Dr.'s that accept Tri-Care in this area there is an extensive list.

i have no problems with tricare pay 460.00 ayear and have full use of post hospital and free drugs also

quote:

Originally posted by split710:
i have no problems with tricare pay 460.00 ayear and have full use of post hospital and free drugs also

How do you get free drugs with Tricare? I have copays, however I do get free drugs from the VA.

--Jim
Life is good!

I think he gets them from the "post hospital", I get some of my meds from the local CG clinic. Of course they and the VA don't carry all the stuff I need so I do have to pay for some through the mail.

It's that "Liability" stuff kekojones123 mentioned. While on Active Duty you get meds from the "Asset" side of the drug cart. Once you Retire you got to pay for the same meds.

quote:

Originally posted by EMC_:
I think he gets them from the "post hospital", I get some of my meds from the local CG clinic. Of course they and the VA don't carry all the stuff I need so I do have to pay for some through the mail.

It's that "Liability" stuff kekojones123 mentioned. While on Active Duty you get meds from the "Asset" side of the drug cart. Once you Retire you got to pay for the same meds.

Back when I retired, the rule was that you could either use the local base medical or Tricare. Either I missed something or the rules changed.

I have no complaints about the tricare care I receive here in Maine. It's a great network.

--Jim
Life is good!

At the clinic they will fill perscriptions from your private care doctor. I don't go there for medical treatment.

If you are near a base with a pharmacy you should look into it for anything the VA doesn't supply.