Tricare Reserve Select-Opinions please

[stlpilot]

Anyone done any comparison shopping on this new Tricare Reserve select plan? I just assumed if your civilian work plan was even remotely good then the Tricare one was probably junk, as has traditionally seemed the case. I know they came out late last year to claim they improved it, but did it really improve? My work just sold out for a much more expensive insurance plan, so I’m looking at a family plan and just wanted some general opinions on what others think of it and I grew tired of trying to read through the Tricare propaganda.

If there is one thing I am terrible at, it’s understanding insurance costs (deductibles, co-pays, etc), probably because I never use it (except for my newborns), so please feel free to explain in simple terms.

Thanks for the inputs.

 

[hindsight2020]

The biggest improvement from what I understand is that it doesn't cost the ridiculous amounts per month that it did before for traditionals under the tier system. It's now $253 a month premium for a family. Not zero, but beats my fiancé employee plan of individual coverage for $200/mo...I can get that by going online and buying it myself! (assuming one doesn't have an eliminating condition, but who does who's actively working anyways?!?)

The family annual deductible is for Tricare reserve is 300 bucks and then the percent share kicks in at 85/15 for in-network and 80/20 for out-of network. The rest of the benefits are on the website (hospitalization, max out-of-pocket cap etc). It works in the same fashion Tricare Standard works for AD, i.e. you can just go to the doctor directly and not have to deal with base clinics and authorizations for referral. That's almost worth the monthly premium in time and QOL.

In this current economy, I don't know how people's insurance packages are holding up, but I wouldnt scoff tricare reserve too much, I don't think I could find an employer today to extend me those benefits for 250/mo, certainly no regional airline (i'm low time). I'm planning on enrolling myself and the then wife when I hit part-time status at the unit in a couple or so months.

 

[pb4ufly]

I believe TRS is a great value. Take a look at the "Catastrophic cap" of $1000 and compare to other plans.

A fellow squadron member had a $472,000 bill at the Mayo...cost him $1000 + the premiums.

It's better than FEHB (Federal Employee Health Benefits).

P

 

[RiddleRat]

I am a reservist coming off of Active Duty orders, I have heard that we are able to get Tricare for a period of time (6 months seems to ring a bell) after our orders are done and we go back to be a traditional reservist. Is this true? Also if I was to go back on Active Duty orders offered @ my squadron, what is the time period in order to get back on the TRICare plan? Thanks!

 

[jayman]

Tricare

Riddlerat

Whe I came off active duty a couple years ago I got ZERO months tricare. Be careful what people tell you. If you were in support of OIF/OEF you may be eligible for the 6 month thing under certain force shaping programs. As far as tricare on orders as a reservist...30 days or more is the magic number to get medical. If you are a reservist and are on 30 days or longer contigency orders (MPA...or AMC money for what you do) you get 6 months of medical when you come off the orders...but that is not valid unless your orders say OIF/OEF on them (I think the fundcite will somehow reflect this). Theres lots of gouge out there on how to maximize you pay and benefits as a reservist.

jayman

 

[JFReservist]

Trs

Riddlerat

Whe I came off active duty a couple years ago I got ZERO months tricare. Be careful what people tell you. If you were in support of OIF/OEF you may be eligible for the 6 month thing under certain force shaping programs. As far as tricare on orders as a reservist...30 days or more is the magic number to get medical. If you are a reservist and are on 30 days or longer contigency orders (MPA...or AMC money for what you do) you get 6 months of medical when you come off the orders...but that is not valid unless your orders say OIF/OEF on them (I think the fundcite will somehow reflect this). Theres lots of gouge out there on how to maximize you pay and benefits as a reservist.

jayman

Not True.

That used to be the way the system worked, I did 30 days to get six months a few years ago. Now I am on TRS (family plan) and it is excellent. My daughter has had a few hospital visits, and the cost was neglegible. I had United Health Care for a few years for a former job, and this beats it for the prescription co-pay alone. It is a totally different program than it used to be and is muuuuch better. I plan on keeping it at my new job.

The bad part is finding a specialist who takes Tricare - they are notorious for not paying on time or underpaying.

A great plan for the trougher or guard bum. Its not available for ARTs (yet), and it is a cheaper plan.

 

[Vandal]

Riddlerat

Whe I came off active duty a couple years ago I got ZERO months tricare. Be careful what people tell you. If you were in support of OIF/OEF you may be eligible for the 6 month thing under certain force shaping programs. As far as tricare on orders as a reservist...30 days or more is the magic number to get medical. If you are a reservist and are on 30 days or longer contigency orders (MPA...or AMC money for what you do) you get 6 months of medical when you come off the orders...but that is not valid unless your orders say OIF/OEF on them (I think the fundcite will somehow reflect this). Theres lots of gouge out there on how to maximize you pay and benefits as a reservist.

jayman

I am abusing this system right now big time. I am on orders for 2 months, then off for two months. I am constantly starting my 6 month transitional period over. The kicker here, if you want the HMO (Tricare Prime), you have to re-enroll each time you go on/off orders. My orders DO say OIF on them, which I believe it a requirement.

But Prime is kickass if you find a good in network provider. We just had our first kid and paid ZERO of a 15000 dollar hospital bill.

I think the TAMP program was designed for guys serving a year to have 6 months to get their legs under them after they de-activate, but I am happy to take em up on the 30 day minimum activation requirement!

 

[jayman]

True dat

Not True.

That used to be the way the system worked, I did 30 days to get six months a few years ago. Now I am on TRS (family plan) and it is excellent. My daughter has had a few hospital visits, and the cost was neglegible. I had United Health Care for a few years for a former job, and this beats it for the prescription co-pay alone. It is a totally different program than it used to be and is muuuuch better. I plan on keeping it at my new job.

The bad part is finding a specialist who takes Tricare - they are notorious for not paying on time or underpaying.

A great plan for the trougher or guard bum. Its not available for ARTs (yet), and it is a cheaper plan.

True because I used it dawg...I think we're saying the same thing.

jayman

 

[bagasticks]

True because I used it dawg...I think we're saying the same thing.

jayman

You dont have to go on any contingency AD orders or anything anymore. . You can be a straight up bum/trougher doing the day to day and pay 250 bucks and have the full meal deal. . I think thats what he is saying? The way it used to work was; certain period of time over in theatre and you got a certain period of tricare. . I've never actually used it though so cant speak from experience, but several bros are happy they dont have to go over anymore to "rehack" health insurance. .

 

[JFReservist]

same thing Jayman

Sorry man -

yeah, what they said

its a good deal either way.