I am retired and have Prime....
Wife called to get yearly "covered" Eye exam, just to be told that it is only covered once every TWO years now.
I did not get any info or mail saying they were changing that, so I looked up the website and info to make sure we were not being told wrong info.
The lady was right...Retiree's dependents only get a covered exam once every two years now, vice every year.
I don't know when the change was, but am guessing within the last two years, and have a few questions.
1. How are we notified when Tricare benefits change?(For good or bad)
2. Who decides these changes? (God help us if it resembles the infamous "Uniform Board"!!)
3. (The most important!) Who is the clown that decided RETIREES eyes were so good they don't need to be checked as often as Active Duty??!!??!! (I have NEVER wore glasses and have better that good vision and now cannot read ANY print on a medicine bottle that is not held by one of my dependents at a minimum of Ten paces!!!)
WTF?? TWO years???
4. Is this someone's way of eroding our benefits to keep them from doubleing our yearly dues??
Thanks in advance for all info!

Bob

Can you give me the link to that? I was told by Tricare that eye exams for retirees were not covered at all.

Ray, try this:

>>>>>http://www.humana-military.com/south/bene/TRICAREResources/bulletins/BeneBulletin04_1P5.htm

Wray...

quote:

http://www.humana-military.com/south/bene/TRICAREResources/bulletins/BeneBulletin04_1P5.htm

Thanks. Free eye exam, but no free glasses.

Ray, Can the VA be of any help to you?

Wray...

Bob and Ray

Check out NOSTRA, (Naval Ophthalmic Support & Training Activity.)

NOSTRA

"If you are retired military and eligible for other medical services, you are authorized to receive the following
quantities of Standard Issue spectacles per year (MS9/S91A/Half Eyes):

* 1 clear pair of Bifocals
* 1 tinted pair of Bifocals if prescribed by your Optometrist/Ophthalmologist

If you choose not request Bifocals, you can receive:

*
1 pair of Distance Vision and 1 pair of Near Vision spectacles
*
1 pair of Distance Vision tinted spectacles is authorized if prescribed by your Optometrist/Ophthalmologist

If you are less than 50 miles from a military health clinic with optometry services, you should take
your prescription for spectacles to them so that they may measure you for proper fit.
They will order your spectacles from the appropriate facility.

If you are more that 50 miles from a military health clinic with optometry services,
you may follow these instructions to order your glasses.

* Open the form DD771 found at our web site, and save it to your computer.
[this form is created to save the information you type into it]
* Please fill out the top section with your “name, “retiree”, and "last 4”,
along with your shipping and contact information.
About halfway down the form, please indicate which standard issue frame you desire.
Make sure to save the form with the information you added.
* Print the partially completed form, and take this with you to your eye exam.
Ensure that the examining facility writes the prescription, and includes your pupillary distance (PD) on the form.
* If your examining facility needs eyesize, bridge or temple information, they may find this on our web site
* If you currently have Standard Issue frames please provide the frame size and temple length.
(found inside the frame)
* There must be a DD771 for each request for eyewear.
* Send the following information to NOSTRA:
o One copy of the completed DD771 form,
o Your mailing address and a daytime phone number and email address if available
o Orders are subject to DEERS eligibility check
* You may submit your order for eyewear by email, fax or standard mail.
o Email your order to: NOSTRA-CustomerService@med.navy.mil
---or---
o Fax your order to: 757-887-4647.
Make sure you write: “Retiree Order” on the fax.
Please call NOSTRA Customer Service at
757-887-7611 / 7152 / 7299 / 7476
right after you send your fax to insure we received it
and that all the information is included to fabricate your orders.
---or---
o Standard Mail to:
NOSTRA
160 Main Road, Ste 350
Yorktown, VA 23691-9984

You may also call NOSTRA Customer Service Department if you have any problems or questions.

You may email us at: NOSTRA-CustomerService@med.navy.mil

Our Customer Service hours are M-F, regular business days, from 0630 to 1700, Eastern Time." ) (from the Nostra web site.)


Jack

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cgrdcs,

quote:

Originally posted by RWLucas:

quote:

http://www.humana-military.com/south/bene/TRICAREResources/bulletins/BeneBulletin04_1P5.htm

Thanks. Free eye exam, but no free glasses.

If the VA is no help. I in the past went to the local CG clinic and they ordered me a free pair of glasses. The frame types are limited, but the price was right.