With new ACA, do you plan to take on health insurance other than Tricare?

LT Brent Williams — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 10:58:18 -0400

Trying to figure out the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on whether or not Tricare eligible Service Members and Retirees will sign up for healthcare insurance with non-Tricare insurance companies. Remember, a lot of the ways that folks get non-Tricare coverage is from their spouse who selects to have family coverage. Please comment on why you made your selection.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2014 11:12 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 11:12:00 -0400

I really don't see any plans out there, on any website for ACA that even comes close to Tricare.

Response by CPO William E. Mahoney made Aug 25 at 2014 11:24 AM

CPO William E. Mahoney — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 11:24:54 -0400

TRICARE is also the least expensive if you don't have any other income.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2014 11:32 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 11:32:15 -0400

I have bounced between Tricare Reserve Select (basically, Tricare Standard) and Tricare Prime since around 2007. I have also occasionally had insurance through my civilian job, though I currently do not. I never once thought about dropping Tricare, since it is so much more affordable, but if the price is right I absolutely will double-up as the combination will mean less out-of-pocket at the Doc.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Aug 25 at 2014 12:01 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 12:01:56 -0400

As a retiree, I have maintained enrollment in Tricare Prime for myself and my spouse, I see no reason to obtain a commercial policy in addition to that. The coverage I currently have is much more comprehensive and affordable than any commercial policy I have found.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Aug 25 at 2014 12:07 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 12:07:28 -0400

The one option that I didn't see was "I am active duty and spouse has chosen NOT to accept commercial insurance for family". My wife just started a new job and had the oppertunity to take insurance..... 78$ per month for just her.... 268$ for family plan per month....actually a decent rate (without knowing the exact coverages...) BUT I am still active duty, so my family is covered by Tricare Prime.... there is 78$ per month back in her pocket. When I DO retire, Tricare Prime rates are still affordable, so will take that, and will consider additional insurance based on what is offered and cost.

Response by LT Brent Williams made Aug 25 at 2014 12:10 PM

LT Brent Williams — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 12:10:38 -0400

Tricare STD is free and allows 70% coverage of most procedures. I got insurance through my employer for minimal cost. By law, commercial insurance (mine is PPO) is primary, and then Tricare takes over with the remaining expenses. If you have a family, like I do - 2 kids and spouse, it ends up being a very cost-effective way to get your medical expenses down to near zero.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2014 5:40 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 17:40:47 -0400

As a Guardsman, I used to be eligible for Tricare Reserve Select, which I used (and loved). When I accepted a position as a full-time technician (even though I am still in the Guard), I lost my TRS eligibility, and so am now signed up for BCBS through my wife's employment.

Response by CW3 Bill Golden made Aug 26 at 2014 8:22 PM

CW3 Bill Golden — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 20:22:42 -0400

TRICARE meets all ACA medical requirements and exceeds them. Have been a TRICARE PRIME member since 1996 and love it.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2014 1:51 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 13:51:25 -0400

My wife and I are both small-business owners. Tricare serves as our major medical plan while I serve as a reservist. My only complaint is that they don't focus on health maintenance. (chiropractic, massage, nutrition, etc)

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2014 9:12 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 21:12:55 -0400

Something that's not mentioned in this thread, but is very available for most single former military member is VA Healthcare. I counsel both young and old to check into the availability of VA Healthcare. VA Healthcare is rarely a good deal for married folks - CHAMPUS is only available for those under very specific restrictions - but the single individuals come out well with VA Healthcare. Those in good health, but still need healthcare make out like bandits...everything is free; annual physicals, routine things like annual shots, etc. For those receiving disabilty compensation it works out well. Additionally, VA Healthcare meet/exceeds ACA minimums.

Response by LT Brent Williams made Sep 16 at 2014 12:06 AM

LT Brent Williams — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 00:06:28 -0400

What I find interesting is that there is nobody that has come up yet that has indicated the benefits of having a commercial plan (as a retiree or your spouse) that provides primary coverage, and then using TRICARE (Std) to cover almost all out of pocket and deductible costs. Does anybody else have other health insurance that you file with automatically and then route the leftover costs to TRICARE?

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 16 at 2014 12:19 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 00:19:53 -0400

I'm near Phoenix, AZ LT Brent Williams and have Tricare for Life and VA coverage for myself and I still have to use Medicare to get services here. Tricare is almost worthless away from military communities and the VA STILL doesn't have a neurosurgeon in ALL of Arizona!

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2015 12:54 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 12:54:48 -0400

Tricare is my supplemental insurance to medicare.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made Jun 11 at 2015 7:57 PM

SFC Christopher Perry — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 19:57:48 -0400

I am very thankful that my employer kicked in my healthcare coverage on day one. TRICARE was more than willing to work with me while on PTDY and terminal leave. However, the folks at Ft Sill were another story altogether. They were insisting that they could not do referrals here where I live. They were basically insisting that I had to return to Ft Sill for care. While I supposedly have another 180 days on TRICARE, I believe I will stick with the relatively reasonable co-pays in order to avoid dealing with the madness!

Response by TSgt Craig Crews made Oct 24 at 2016 8:00 AM

TSgt Craig Crews — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 08:00:26 -0400

Both myself and my spouse are retired, we have the Tricare prime with the John Hopkins option. It has been great so far. So I hope that is all we will need for now.

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Mar 13 at 2017 4:20 PM

SSG Eddye Royal — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 16:20:32 -0400

14 million would lose health insurance coverage under GOP's Obamacare replacement in '18, but it would save 334 Million by 2026. To me this, bad; this CBO JUST came out by CNBC.