As a retired Reservist about to turn 60, should I drop Blue Cross and go strictly with TRICARE or keep them both?

MSgt Michael Bischoff — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 20:59:14 -0400

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Jun 27 at 2018 9:19 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 21:19:51 -0400

I am on TriCare Reserve Select. I switched from Blue Shield (an HMO - $1200 a month) to TriCare (which is a PPO and I only pay $200 a month) when I retired from my Civilian job. I would expect that TriCare after 60 would be much cheaper than Blue Cross. If your Blue Cross is an HMO, TriCare will be better coverage also. I know that when I pull the pin at 60, I will keep my TriCare coverage as it’s much cheaper than my alternative.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2018 9:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 21:55:36 -0400

Tricare

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 28 at 2018 10:49 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 10:49:41 -0400

I had a Federal employee program up until I reserve MIL retired at 60. I dropped the paid program because it cost $$$ and Tricare didn't. People get enamored with Tricare Prime which is a paid program. So you pay money to be forced to go to a MIL facility for which you need a referral to see a specialist. The plus side is you don't have to pay copay including pharmacy. It's just that they are stingy on referrals, hence tend to watch people die vs. getting aggressive early. I went with Tricare Select (used to be called Standard) which is free. Not tied to a location. I live rural 2 1/2 hours from any MIL activity. I see the Doc, get whatever referrals, and then the copays work out far less than whatever I was shelling out for the Fed medical plan. When you hit 65, you start paying again as Medicare becomes your primary and you have to pay for Part B to be eligible to get Tricare for Life. If you keep Blue Cross, that is your primary but duplicates what you get for free. So everything now is Medicare Primary/Tricare Secondary. Don't see any bill other than Medicare premium and rarely an Express Scripts minor ding.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2018 3:03 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 15:03:18 -0400

I am 4 months away from retirement at age 60 and still a reservist. I am actually attending a retirement seminar in 2 weeks but have already discussed this issue. Based on my understanding TriCare (great insurance) by comparison to BC/BS only costs $578 per year until age 65 at which time it converts to TriCare for Life. $0. For me it’s not much of a question

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2019 3:50 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 May 2019 15:50:00 -0400

MSgt Michael Bischoff - If you are eligible for both, then TRICARE will just be your Secondary Insurance & pay whatever Blue Cross doesn't pay (or will not pay) as the Primary Insurance. So it's probably better to have both in my opinion, especially since TRICARE can be difficult to deal with at times...

Response by MSgt Lonnie Burkey made May 22 at 2019 6:15 PM

MSgt Lonnie Burkey — Wed, 22 May 2019 18:15:03 -0400

I retired from the USAF/ Air Guard and I put my Blue Cross in suspension so if you need it in the future you can get it back in the next open season.