Man it is strange picking my own doctors

bpreachers

PEB Forum Regular Member
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After 8 years of being told where to go to the doctor and when to go to the doctor it is just strange to get to chose my own and schedule my own. Tricare Standard really is pretty damn awesome. Heck my last pain management appointment only cost me 10 bucks because I already met my annual deductible.

Just thought I would post one of the things that have been kinda odd for me to adjust to.
 
LOL, I am torn between standard and prime (im within 30 miles currently, but will be moving after after my two oldest kids graduate), I currently have between 3-5 appointments a month, at least another year of injections and ablations, then surgeries once they quit working, not to mention another hip replacement coming within 10 years.

Then my wife has what is easiest described as "pre MS" ( all of the symptoms, no lesions yet), So I would not only hit my deductible pretty quick, I would still be spending more on meds.

But then again If I am SSDI, then I guess Medicare takes over anyway for me, then tricare for the wife and kids.


Arg so much stuff we never have to think about, what I know I will one day see as "freedoms" are stressors for now.
 
I'll be forced onto standard, that is unless I use the VA docs, there is no VA hospital remotely close and the VA docs are all regular doctors under contract, matter of fact my father-in-laws doctor is also the doc the VA uses. I'll be around 18.5 years in and it will be weird. Over all how would you rate the affordability of standard?
 
_______________________________***:D*** Happy New Year! ***:D***________________________________

Indeed; decisions, decisions, decisions! :confused:

To that extent, it's the American way! :)

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!
 
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I tha k it is fairly affordable. Prime wasn't an option for me due to location nor is the VA as no VA center nor base is close to me. I have met my deductible and come out of pocket a total of about 350 for around 1600 in visits and procedures. All my scripts are 5 bucks a pop. Havent been out but a few months so far but I am pleased overall. Its so hassle free compared to prime in my opinion that the benefits out weigh the costs in the end. Went with my employers dental since tricare dental was far more expensive. Maybe I will hate standard in a few more months but right now it is great.
 
I'll be in the same boat, 400 miles each way to a military hospital and 140 miles each way to VA, but since you're not close to a base or VA center, don't you have contracted VA doctors in the area that you can use instead of paying a deductible with Tricare? I also see that your process went extremely fast, which VA RO did your package to through?
 
I tha k it is fairly affordable. Prime wasn't an option for me due to location nor is the VA as no VA center nor base is close to me. I have met my deductible and come out of pocket a total of about 350 for around 1600 in visits and procedures. All my scripts are 5 bucks a pop. Havent been out but a few months so far but I am pleased overall. Its so hassle free compared to prime in my opinion that the benefits out weigh the costs in the end. Went with my employers dental since tricare dental was far more expensive. Maybe I will hate standard in a few more months but right now it is great.

I have been on it for over a year and love it. The best part is having full control of all your doctors. You do not need a PCM to put a referral in and get it approved. If you need a specialist, you find them on the tricare site. As long as they are in the network, you can make the appointment.
 
I'll be in the same boat, 400 miles each way to a military hospital and 140 miles each way to VA, but since you're not close to a base or VA center, don't you have contracted VA doctors in the area that you can use instead of paying a deductible with Tricare? I also see that your process went extremely fast, which VA RO did your package to through?
I haven't the first clue. VA contracted doctors outside of a VA hospital was not something I was made aware of so I will have to look into that.

The regional office I went through was Rhode Island. Mine went rather quickly because, at least in my opinion, I was very annoying/involved through every part of the process and interacted with each human involved throughout their part of it (short of it being at the VA) so that I knew it wasn't just sitting burried somewere.

The only real hiccup I ran into was well after I was out when I found out that apparently my base doctors never put in referrals for the VA medical screenings I had (which apparently is a constant issue at the base I was at). So I had to make a bunch of phone calls to make people do their jobs lol.
 
I'll be in the same boat, 400 miles each way to a military hospital and 140 miles each way to VA, but since you're not close to a base or VA center, don't you have contracted VA doctors in the area that you can use instead of paying a deductible with Tricare? I also see that your process went extremely fast, which VA RO did your package to through?

VA reimburses for travel, also you can be fee based which means the VA can and you to be seen closer to home
 
After 8 years of being told where to go to the doctor and when to go to the doctor it is just strange to get to chose my own and schedule my own. Tricare Standard really is pretty damn awesome. Heck my last pain management appointment only cost me 10 bucks because I already met my annual deductible.

Just thought I would post one of the things that have been kinda odd for me to adjust to.

That is awesome! I have not officially enrolled in TRICARE, is there a deadline?
 
That is awesome! I have not officially enrolled in TRICARE, is there a deadline?
Standard is automatic, Prime you have to enroll and pay a premium
 
Gotcha, So, help me out here, what do i need to do to get a PCM for standard?
go to the tricare website and it'll help you find a PCM in your area that accepts tricare, that appointment will probably only cost you 25$ out of pocket if that
 
Gotcha, So, help me out here, what do i need to do to get a PCM for standard?

Just get on the tricare site, and search for a doctor by zip code. Pick one that provides primary care services. That's it. The thing is, if you don't like them, change as often as you want. As long as the PCM, specialist, or other provider is in the network, you can use them. I am in Northern CA, and there is a ton of choices.
 
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