Posted on Feb 8, 2020
More Than 3 Dozen Military Hospitals to Stop Treating Retirees, Families, Memo Shows
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Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 9
We live more than 50 miles from Ft.Leonard Wood, so we have never been able to use the hospital. However, Tricare is fantastic health insurance, and no premiums to pay, ever. We were Tricare Select (they change the name every few years, it was Tricare Prime), and now since I'm on Medicare I have Tricare for Life, and my wife will switch over next month. We have had no complaints, and we get to use the pharmacy at FLW for free prescription fills and refills. We drive up there every 90 days for prescriptions, and hit the commissary, too. Not having the use of a military hospital has never hurt us. They opened a new VA clinic here in town last year, but we're happy with our private doctor, and since their pharmacy is not as extensive as the one at FLW, I've only visited it once to check it out. So they are not leaving retirees high and dry, or anything like that.
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MSgt (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see) - many areas of the country have great community resources for getting help with autistic family members. Even in fly over states like Iowa. Have you tried the state university hospital in the state that you live in? Many of them have outreach centers that deal with autistic kids. For those of us who were reservists dealing with the civilian medical system is business as usual. You can find good programs to help. You just need to look around. It can be hard having a special family member but I am sure you are up to the challenge. Many of the civilian programs are excellent.
For example here is one in iowa.
https://uichildrens.org/medical-services/autism
For example here is one in iowa.
https://uichildrens.org/medical-services/autism
At UI Stead Family Children's Hospital a team of autism experts from a variety of disciplines works with patients and families to diagnose and treat the disorder and to address the many aspects of life touched by autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
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1SG (Join to see)
MSgt (Join to see) - I am currently looking in to some things with a friend who runs a non profit at my American Legion post. The issue is Autism is a very broad spectrum and not all cases are the same. I was limited on duty stations before I retired due to only certain locations have the resources for my son.
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MSgt (Join to see)
1SG (Join to see) - now that you are out you might be able to move to a location where there are better programs if you chose to. I know people who have done that after find a job in that new area (actually an inter company transfer). There are plenty of support groups for parents of autistic kids. I recommend going to one and even if you don’t join because you might be able to get some good information. Just remember, you guys aren’t alone in this. People are here for you.
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1SG Steven Imerman
Our key was I was working for the school district, and their insurance dovetailed nicely with our Tricare. Now with Medicare we will be home free.
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Why would retirees go to MTFs? We have TRICARE, VA, MEDICARE and ExpressScripts.
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