Active or Retired Military/Spouses/Families-Share info here...

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ToriGirl
ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
edited June 2014 in Members by Location

Hey all...

Just wanted to start a thread for us that are in the military (active or retired) or part of a family that is military.  

I know for me, having to deal with Tricare/Tricare Prime has had me going in circles at times (and still does) and I thought if we could start to get the information gathered in a one thread, along with tips to pass on to others, it may help.

So please, offer any suggestions you may have, give us the lowdown on how you get things done with Tricare/Tricare Prime...or tell us what you are trying to resolve and maybe someone has "been there, done that" and can help you figure it out.

Ask your questions, give your advice, and maybe we can all muddle through the red tape to get things taken care of, so we all have one less thing to stress out about....

If you want, offer up what branch of service you are in, what base you are stationed at and maybe the names of good folks that have helped you out so far so that others can find them too.  

Of course, I'm sure that they may be some "not so good" stories as well...feel free to give others a "heads up" on those too, just so no one is too surprised if the same happens to them.

My husband is USAF and we are stationed at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma....

Thanks and God bless!

Tori 

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited December 2011

    My husband spent 28 years in the USAF, last assignment at MacDill AFB, Tampa.  His position was civilianized, so he applied and was hired into it.  I don't have specific tips to add but after being a dependent for 28 years, and having had several complicated medical situations in addition to BC, I have some insights.  In dealing with BC I have had 6 surgeries since diagnosis and am still in the middle of reconstruction/Herceptin.  I was referred to my BS through Tricare, but my PS (chosen by BS) was only Tricare Standard so I had to get an out of network referral on about 3 days notice.  I have had emergency surgeries and been operated on in 3 separate hospital locations, all with differing paperwork requirements!

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  • Snoopsmom
    Snoopsmom Member Posts: 119
    edited December 2011

    This thread will be of interest to me because I am the unremarried widow of a retired Marine officer. I currently have Tricare Standard with a Marine Corps Association supplmental but will be 65 in June so will be switching to Medicare as primary coverage and Tricare For Life as supplemental. I live in PA and don't have a base too close by where I can get information and the phone lines I try are always busy...busy...busy! The hospital where I will be getting treatment assures me that Tricare Standard is accepted, so I'm not too worried at the moment. I was just diagnosed last week so I'm still muddling my way through things. Prior to this diagnosis I was planning to drop the Marine Corps Association coverage but now I'm wondering if I should hold on to it for a while just in case...it's pretty reasonable coverage. Any advice or suggestions out there?

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  • nowords
    nowords Member Posts: 423
    edited December 2011

    My husband did 20 years in the Navy. I have Tricare Standard and a supplement through the Fleet Reserve Association...once deductibles are met I pay zip...3000 catastrophic cap. The supplement picks up the difference of allowable costs from Tricare after I meet their deductible which is not much. Most years we never met deductible, family of four...the year I was diagnosed, my son had a heart ablation surgery so we met it...prior to my diagnosis. All of my treatment, chemo, rads, surgery and assorted scans and meds was covered 100% and my treatment was at Mayo Rochester. I live in Minneapolis area.

    My recon was (delayed unilateral DIEP and lift on "good" boob and lipo) was done by Dr. Marga Massey. (She works with Tricare and will fit you in...she operates in New Orleans with some of the top microsurgical guys in the world...  for Tricare at Fairway surgical center...worth the hassle and the travel for the results. She is awesome...check out the recon threads NOLA in Sept. and Charleston to read her rave reviews...)

    PM me for phone number if you need more info...

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  • nowords
    nowords Member Posts: 423
    edited December 2011

    Keep the supplement...my advice...

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  • Snoopsmom
    Snoopsmom Member Posts: 119
    edited December 2011
    Thanks....that's what I've been leaning toward right now. Since the cost is so reasonable, it seems it wouldn't hurt to hang on to the MCA supplemental as well as a "backup." I'm retired and although I'm comfortable, I can't afford a huge medical bill (can anyone affort that???).
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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited December 2011

    I am on Tricare for Life..there is a website for Tricare

    www.tricareonline.com

    I have an account but can't remember how it was set up..

    There is a booklet available with all the info in it..

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  • ToriGirl
    ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
    edited October 2012

    Bumping up to see if anyone out there has any new information on anything we need to know about regarding military benefits.

    Thanks!

    Tori 

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited November 2012

    On Veterans' Day..let us remember our sisters in uniform



     

     

     

     

     


     

    Already tagged



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