Military medical retiree health & dental insurance reccomendation?

[jalesh404]

Hi guys!

so I got medically retired couple months ago and i'm not sure which insurances should I enroll into...

what would you guys recommend?

just go for Tricare prime? and Tricare dental program?

[braumeister]

Have you been here yet?

The Military Guide

Lots of helpful information about insurance, finances, and everything else, written by a retired military member (who is also a member here).

[Red Badger]

In most cases, you'll be aligned with one or maybe two options. I recently qualified for reserve retirement (age 60). Since we're not near a military base, it's Tricare extra for us. If we were near a base, it would be standard. At age 65 (when medicare becomes primary), Tricare for life becomes the "wrap-around" insurance.

I hope you enjoy your well earned benefit. A quick call to Tricare should sort this out.

[ExFlyBoy5]

Generally speaking, Tricare Prime is about as good as it gets. The Tricare dental insurance for retirees is about as bad as it gets.

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by braumeister Have you been here yet? The Military Guide Lots of helpful information about insurance, finances, and everything else, written by a retired military member (who is also a member here).

Thanks, Braumeister!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jalesh404 so I got medically retired couple months ago and i'm not sure which insurances should I enroll into... what would you guys recommend? just go for Tricare prime? and Tricare dental program?

Tricare Prime has a general 40-mile enrollment radius, although you might be able to get that waived out to 100 miles. You'll also be nudged into using the military base treatment facility for your primary care manager, but again you can ask for a civilian PCM.
40 miles for Tricare Prime - or maybe Tricare Standard - Military Guide

I've been happy with the quality of the medical care, but in general the bureaucracy sucks.

Depending on the nature of your medical situation, you might prefer to go Tricare Standard. You'll have the same $3000/year catastrophic cap with a 20% cost share instead of $12 copays, but you'll be able to choose any provider who accepts Tricare-- and you won't have to do referrals for every separate issue.

Depending on your dental genes (and your dental hygiene) you may be able to cancel your insurance and just do X-rays/exams/cleanings every 2-3 years.
Do You Really Need Retired Military Dental Insurance - Military Guide
I've been doing this for over 15 years, with rigorous flossing & brushing. Better yet, full exams & cleanings in Bangkok are very cheap.

[Red Badger]

One other anecdote here. When I told sawbones that I was going from mega-corp insurance to Tri-Care, he commented that TC was most always reasonable in covering whatever. I found that reassuring - - - sort of.

[mickeyd]

Forget any dental "insurance".

[griffithee]

If you were medically retired, why go with Tricare at all? I would think that you would have some semblance of VA claim. And if your conditions are so bad that you were retired for it, I would also presume you are greater than 50%. If that is the case than all of your care should be free from the VA. Have you completed your claim? Have you looked into the VA programs?

[exnavynuke]

Quote:

Originally Posted by griffithee If you were medically retired, why go with Tricare at all? I would think that you would have some semblance of VA claim. And if your conditions are so bad that you were retired for it, I would also presume you are greater than 50%. If that is the case than all of your care should be free from the VA. Have you completed your claim? Have you looked into the VA programs?

I have medical insurance through work despite being 90% rated through the VA. Getting stuff that you want "urgently" through the VA can be very problematic in my experience. Having the option to use outside doctors affordably can be very beneficial. When the cost for such additional options is reasonable of course, and to me tricare prime would fit that bill.

[friar1610]

I always wanted a choice of providers after I retired so I used Tricare Standard and paid for a supplement from MOAA. Now that I'm on Medicare that's a moot point as Tricare for Life is a supplement to Medicare. Other people I knew were perfectly happy with Tricare Prime.

Whether military-sponsored or not, I've never seen a decent dental insurance plan.

[braumeister]

Quote:

Originally Posted by friar1610 I always wanted a choice of providers after I retired so I used Tricare Standard and paid for a supplement from MOAA. Now that I'm on Medicare that's a moot point as Tricare for Life is a supplement to Medicare. Whether military-sponsored or not, I've never seen a decent dental insurance plan.

That was my situation too. The MOAA Mediplus supplement was excellent for me, and of course the Medicare/TFL combination is unbeatable.

For even additional variety, I make it a point to go in to the local VA clinic once a year for a checkup, which usually just means having a ten minute chat with the doctor. They always offer to provide anything I want, but I'm happy with my primary civilian doc who I've been seeing for over 20 years.

We're very lucky in that DW's last employer provides the same subsidized dental insurance to retirees as to employees. It's a great deal for us, but aside from that plan I've never seen one that was worth anything either.

[Senator]

Quote:

Originally Posted by exnavynuke I have medical insurance through work despite being 90% rated through the VA. Getting stuff that you want "urgently" through the VA can be very problematic in my experience. Having the option to use outside doctors affordably can be very beneficial. When the cost for such additional options is reasonable of course, and to me tricare prime would fit that bill.

I am 10% disabled Vet. 100% of my healthcare is provided by the VA. I have not yet had major health issues, but I have had to use the emergency care door at the VA, and all was well.

I would go VA and save the money.