What do you think of TRICARE and your Military Communty Hospital?

2014-11-13T07:26:53-05:00

I have heard and seen many complaints from people of all services about their military hospital and of TRICARE or as some would call it Try to get care.
To me personally, TRICARE has done me and my family well. As a retiree i pay just over $500 a year for a family of 5. Try to find something cheaper than that. Many civilians have to pay that a month! I wouldnt care if it were $1000 a month it is we orth it and the payment comes directly out of my retirement check. My family and I have never been refused a procedure referral and a $12 copay is just peanuts for a family living pay check to pay check. My wife has had a few expensive surgeries such as gastric banding (She once weighed 320 pounds and now is in the low 160s and this was about 11 years ago after 5 years of perpetual pregnancies) She also had a tummy tuck to remove almost 6 pounds of excess skin. My kids 2 of which are special needs, have had evaluations and therapies among other things paid for by this system all for a mere copay. Waits for referral approval has been short. My only gripe is that dental is not included. Delta Dental is expensive per month and when I retired we lost A damn good local dentist that doesnt take this program. I believe it should be included as it was a long time ago.
As for military hospitals. We use Martin Army at FT Benning. Our PCM is a wounderful civilian who listens to your issues and does everything she can to relieve your issues and is quick to make referrals if needed and will quickly return calls. I find militay doctors and Physician Assistants over the years as slow and not as caring and quick to pass a patient off.. Example is in 2005 i had shoulder issues in both shoulders. The doctor tried several techniques over a year period to include physical therapy and constant steroid shots that did not work so surgery had to be done. This hack just cleaned out shards when his civilian PA, a wonderful retired 18D recommended a fix a torn rotat cup that he found on the xray. This PA had my wife come in so he can explain whats going on. The doctor refused the PAs recommendation. My shoulder bothers me to this day. This was at BJACH on Ft Polk where we had nothing but issues with the exception of my wifes bariatric surgery referal. Martin Army has been the best. An example is my recent back issues. I was working on a House of Heroes project. When putting supplies up, my lower back got a sudden pain. I thought it a small issue and worked on the house some morr in relative pain, called in sick the next day, worked the following day in pain and saw the PCM the next. Was prescribed some meds for a bad sprain and was healing. The following Monday I walked our 4 dogs when we passed this one house this small dog ran out and started a fight. I nearly collapsed trying to restrain 300 pounds of dogs straining my back adain with the addition of sharp pain in my right leg. I was bed ridden on veterans day and by Wednesday was in terrible pain. My wife made an acute appt at our Family Medicine team that we were late for due to my inability to properly get in the vehicle due to the pain. I couldnt sit. The team got me in quick. It was so bad I will admit I was in tears. The next opening was 30 minutes out. Or primary doctor bumped me up over 3 other patients and had me lay down. She immediately had me shot up with one med that did not work then shot me with demerol that worked somewhat. She checked me over prescribed some candy (meds) and since i cannot sit told me to come back monday for xrays and an MRI requst. She also wrote up an excuse for work, civilian style of quarters till monday and said im to be bedridden with some exceptions till monday. This is why I find my hospital a winner. It may just be that we have the right doctor. Who knows.
So what are your thoughts, horror stories, gripes and recommendations?
Standby, green light go!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2015 1:05 PM

2015-01-04T13:05:49-05:00

I guess, I am kind of biased since I am in the DC area, but the Hospital at Fort Belvoir is simply amazing. The green technology that was put into the design is fascinating to learn about while walking the halls.

Having said that, this area is full of some of the greatest technologies and medical support for all conditions. Our family has been able to take advantage of many of the different specialty care support that is available. Although at time we get frustrated with the appointment line and the wait times. You can't complain about getting your medications for free or at a ridiculously low co-pay. If the system is used properly used, you can receive care pretty easily. The only big issue I have is working through tricare to pay claims from the local urgent care centers even when there is a referral put in the system.

Response by COL John Power made Jan 5 at 2015 12:39 PM

2015-01-05T12:39:05-05:00

I guess it really depends on your location and the capacity of the hospital. A small community hospital might be quite deficient while a large medical center might have all the services one might need. I was fortunate not to need much care while in the service and never had much of a problem. Now that I'm retired I use Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP) which is a Tricare Prime option in my area. It is a managed or accountable care system operated by private providers. In the DC area Johns Hopkins is the provider, in MA and RI it is Brighton Marine Health Center who contracts with Steward to deliver the care. It has been terrific for us. I can't figure out why anyone with a family wouldn't choose that option. At a cost of $460 a year for a family and modest co-pays, it can't be beat. Tricare Standard is cheaper, just as long as you never get sick. but if you actually need medical care Tricare Prime (and USFHP if available) is a far better choice. Better access, better results, less cost. Anyone in a USFHP service area should take a hard look. The performance results and customer satisfaction ranks up there with the very best commercial insurance programs in the country.