hi everyone i am very confused with tricare. i dont know how to apply for tricare (my husband is deployed).. my husband dont also know how tricare works ebcause he never used it. i dont want to stress him about asking so much questions so im trying to it figure out how it works. i really dont know where to start. i tried reading the guide but im still confused..please give me some tips on how n where to start. thank you

Frankly, it doesn't matter whether your husband knows how it works or not, he should be helping you! There are people that can be asked!

Regardless, if you're in DEERS (aka if you have a military ID) then you're automatically enrolled in Tricare Standard - you can then choose to enroll in Tricare Prime (the cheaper option). Your husband needs to get you enrolled in DEERS (or send you the paperwork and a power of attorney to do it yourself). Tricare Prime can be done online (Google it) or at your local Tricare service center.

i have the power of attorney. he signed everything i needed.. he is just busy right now and its in my own will not to stress him anymore... anyway thank you for the replies...God bless u all

If he has already had your information entered into DEERS then you are enrolled into Tricare Standard. With standard there is a yearly deductible and a co-pay for each visit. You go to a civilian provider who is approved.

If you have your military ID card then you can sign up for Tricare Prime in which you go a MTF (Military Treatment Facility) and are given a PCM (Primary Care Manager) to see. With Prime there is no co-pay or deductible.

If you don't have a military ID card then he needs to send you a Form DD1172 and a Specific Power of Attorney to get one from the closest base or reserve center.

I HAVE MY MILITARY ID N THE POWER OF ATTORNEY. SO AM I AUTOMATICALLY ENROLED WHEN I HAD THE MILITARY WIFE ID? HE TOLE ME IM ENROLLED WITH THE DEERS.
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THANK U

Caps means you are shouting so could you please turn them off.

If you have your ID card then you are enrolled into DEERS which means you are enrolled into Tricare Standard. If you want to change to Prime you need to go online and fill out the form or go to the closest office near you. Prime will not start for you until Sept 1st, until then you have Standard.

you also need to sign up for United Concordia/Tricare Dental. You have to pay the first month in advance then it will be automatically deducted. It will be $13 a month for you and covers 2 free cleanings per year (every 6 months) and then a co-pay on all work done. You see a civilian provider.

Use the links in the sticky at the top of the page to go to the websites to get more information.

Check on the back of your ID card. There is an effective date. That is the day your eligibility began.

(chipsmom) is correct. The date you were enrolled is on the back or your ID card. Make sure you keep current with DEERS (notify them when you have new children and if you move locations) and you will be fine.

You will always be enrolled in TRICARE as long as your married and even if he retires from the military.

its me again and im still confused...
here are my questions..

>what is the coverage of my TRICARE insurance? in case something happen to me.. like an operation.. is it covered?

>if i want to get the tricare prime (or whatever package that covers everything) will i need to pay?

> i didnt sign up anything about tricare.. when i use it..what will i show at the health care institution (when the ime comes that i need to use it)?

> my husband said i need to go to a tricare office near me to enrol. but he didnt have that much time to explain the procedure (well his also confused about it),,

> is there a way that i can enrol through phone or internet..

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE ANSERS.. GOD BLESS AND GUIDE OUR SOLDIERS...

1) Go to Tricare's website for your region and/or get a Tricare handbook ... there is extensive coverage information (what is, what isn't) that just can't be done justice here. You will need to be informed so that you don't have to ask every time something comes up, you'll be familiar with the "rules".

2) No, Tricare Prime is free. However, if you choose to go with Tricare Prime then cancel back to Tricare Standard (or your own job's insurance, etc), you are not eligible for Prime again for one full year - something important to keep in mind.

3) For most doctor's visits, you simply show your military ID. Some ask for your actual Tricare card - you can call Tricare and ask for one if you haven't received one.

4) As discussed previously, if you have a military ID you already have Tricare Standard and you don't need to do anything. If you wish to get Tricare Prime, then yes you either need to go into a Tricare office or print off an enrollment form from online and mail it in. I'm pretty sure at this point you can't fully sign up for Tricare Prime online - but once you have the coverage, you can make changes online (such as changing your primary doctor, or changing your address).

Like some of the other members have said, take a look at the TRICARE website and the Beneficiary Portal , which can help you get acquainted with TRICARE. Check out the DEERS page, as you must be enrolled in DEERS before you do anything.

Also, the website offers a Contacts page, which contains all the important TRICARE phone numbers and websites, where you can get all of your questions answered.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by TRICAREWiz:
as you must be enrolled in DEERS before you do anything.

If she has an ID card she is enrolled in DEERS.

quote:

you are not eligible for Prime again for one full year - something important to keep in mind.

This is very important to remember if your husband is an E-5 or above.

quote:

i didnt sign up anything about tricare.. when i use it..what will i show at the health care institution (when the ime comes that i need to use it)?

The effective date on the back of your ID card is the day your Tricare began. When you do go to a Dr or make an appointment, its very important to ask if they take Tricare Standard or Tricare Prime (which ever one your enrolled in). At any place, make sure they use your husbands social security number for billing and not yours. Basically if they use yours, it will come back as not eligible and then there are a few phone calls that come after to get it straitened out.

quote:

my husband said i need to go to a tricare office near me to enrol. but he didnt have that much time to explain the procedure (well his also confused about it),,

If you choose to enroll in Prime, then you can either go to the TSC (Tricare Service Center) near you. They can help you with just about everything when it comes to Tricare and dental enrollment. I think you can even print the forms up online and send them in for Tricare. One thing to keep in mind is if you send them in before the 20 or 21st (I can remember which one) of the month your enrollment in Prime will begin the 1st of the following month. After one of those 2 dates, it would be effective not the following month, but the month after.