Prefer AF MTF if possible

P

Purple

PEB Forum Regular Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Jason, builtgypsy, or anyone who can assist,

I was told by TRICARE Prime that I must be seen at the nearest MTF, and that I do not have a choice to be seen by civilian provider (specialist) under TRICARE Prime. The nearest MTF is almost an hour from my house. I was told that if the drive is less than an hour to the nearest MTF facility, I must take the drive to be seen at that MTF.

TRICARE told me I could swith to Standard to be seen by a civilian provider, but I would pay a hefty fee. The nearest military treatment facility is an Army Post, but I prefer to be seen at an AF Base because I'm used to their terminology, AFIs (Air Force Instructions), MEB/PEB process.

The post called me today and told me my info. is all screwed up in DEERs, and that I needed to update my info. My info. is correct with the AF, and based on the AF DEERs printout, all my info. is correct. The Army Post had no idea I retireed, that I was married, and they had the wrong contact information. They contacted my relatives to schedule a cardic appt. with me. My relatives had no clue what they were talking about. What a mess!

Is there a way around this process so that I can be seen at an Air Force Base? I'm willing to take the two hour drive to the nearest AF treatment facility. The nearest AF MTF does not have a cardiologist though... what should I do???
 
I’m going to put on my geek hat so please bear with me. If you updated your info in DEERS it should be okay (there’s only one DEERS which all MTFs connect to) however sometimes there are problems with the two systems that are supposed to automatically update. The next time you are at the MTF ask them to verify your registration info in CHCS, which is a local system at every MTF. Then verify your demographic info in AHLTA, which is a world wide system shared across all MTFs.

When it works correctly (which it actually does most of the time) DEERS overwrites CHCS (when there is some type of interaction between the two) which then updates AHLTA (done in a batch file at midnight).

If CHCS is wrong (but DEERS is correct) then generally a successful DEERS eligibility inquiry will force the update (and then AHLTA is updated at midnight). If DEERS and CHCS are correct but AHLTA is wrong they can try changing something minor in your CHCS registration that may queue your info to be sent to AHLTA. (A few weeks ago one of our Amn had a retired customer who info was correct in DEERS and CHCS, but AHLTA still showed him active duty in a different country. We changed his address from Ave to Avenue which CHCS recognized as something new which triggered the midnight update and the next day all three systems matched). If that doesn’t work they need to do a work order to the MHS help desk (really big computer geeks in the sky).
 
Purple,

I believe that, based on the information you provided, that someone has given you some poor information concerning who your PCM has to be. This is from the TRICARE Prime Handbook:

Changing Your Primary Care Manager
You may change your PCM at any time provided the new PCM is accepting new patients and your request complies with local MTF guidelines. Once you have selected a new PCM from your regional contractor’s provider directory (viewable online at each contractor’s Web site), complete a TRICARE Prime Enrollment and PCM Change Form with the new PCM’s name and address. You only need to complete the portion of the form related to the PCM change. The change will become effective once the application is received and processed by your regional contractor. You may also call your regional contractor to change your PCM. Once your PCM change is processed, you will be mailed a confirmation letter with the new PCM name and telephone number.

There is a $12 co-pay for retirees using a non-MTF Network Provider. You have to select who you would like that is in the network and currently taking new patients. You can download the handbook at the following link:

http://www.tricare.mil/tricaresmartfiles/Prod_435/Prime_Handbook_06_L.pdf

AF Cop
 
AFPEBLO & AF Cop,

I thank you both for the replies and the wealth of information. Now, I know what avenues I have at my disposal. Today, I got a call from post, they thought I was Army traveling from a different post. Wow, my info. is really screwed up in there system.

AFPEBLO and any forum members,

-Do you know if I have to go through the Army's process for my re-evaluation for TDRL, and will they be the deciding factor for an outcome?

-Is the re-evaluation the same as going through the MEB/IPEB process?

Thank you in advance for your assistance.
 
Purple,

In most cases, the TDRL re-evaluation is handled at a same-service MTF. However, the regulations specifically allow for any service MTF to conduct the
exam. The evaluation is similar to the MEB evaluation, but the key differences are that there is no input from chain of command and there are no evaluations (NCOER, OER, EPR, etc.) to consider, so often your current activities at that time carry a lot of weight as to assessing your limitations. Also, in the vast majority of cases, you have a VA rating to submit as evidence.

My take is that many members on TDRL go to the re-evaluation without realizing the importance of this. You have to remember that the doctor/examiner is not your friend, s/he is there to evaluate you, and you have to ensure that the evidence supporting your proper rating is documented.

Bump back :)
 
Jason,

Thank you for the quick reply. This helps me put things into perspective. :)
 
I am going through the same thing. I am going on Tri care prime remote because there isn't a MTF around. The closest one is 6 hours away.

What a pain in the a**
 
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