Dano50

Here's what I found on Tricare site: Tricare Help: Do we need a Medicare Advantage Plan? By James E. Hamby Jr. - Special to Military Times Posted : Thursday Jan 12, 2012 11:25:38 EST Q. My wife and I have Tricare for Life and Medicare Parts A and B. I keep seeing commercials for Medicare Advantage plans. Should we get one of those as a backup? A. Don’t be seduced by ads for Medicare Advantage plans. Those ads are written for civilians who don’t have two full-service insurance plans, as you and your wife have under Tricare for Life. Most of the extras, if not all of them, are already yours through Tricare Standard, which comes free with TFL and acts as a Medicare supplement.

Thanks everyone. My understand is that I should use plain old Medicare (what the Govt. gives you without secondary insurance such as the AARP United Health Care Plan) with Tricare standard as secondary insurance. I use the VA in most cases since its only 3 miles away but would like to have someone who has a Medicare (supplement plan-Humana, UHC etc) and Tricare as second. My understanding as I am 60 is that some of these plans have gym memberships(silver sneakers) and would like to have that ability without paying for it. I will talk to the Tricare staff here at Mountain Home today but wanted to have anyone weigh in if they have this kind of combination. Thank you for all your response, as it is much appreciated and informative!

Hi, I'm going to start getting Medicare of 3/2013 and will be 60 years old. I wanted to know if anyone on this web site uses another plan like United Healthcare AARP PPO with their Tricare. I talked to a Medicare lady tonight and was advised to search out further answers but she has experienced a lot of VETS us plain old Medicare with no additional plan and use plain ofld MEdicare. I do use the VA as I have been rated as if I was 100 percent disabled. Do not need prescription help but I was wondering if anyone can comment of what they know. Thanks.

Here's the answer I got when I wrote to MyHealtVet. The strangest part of it was they told me it could take 5 to 10 business days and on the 10th business day I got this: Access to your medical records through this site is on the way. Please refer to the Coming Soon section of the My HealtheVet website for detailed information concerning My HealtheVet features that will be released in the future and timelines for release. In the meantime, you can always request paper copies of your records through your VA Medical Center. Please contact the Release of Information office at your center. A representative will explain what forms or requests are needed to get a copy of your records to you.

Thanks. I kind of thought no would be the answer but wanted to hear it from someone else. I understand criteria for determining disabilities are not identical, o the SS got all my info from the VA and soley from the VA so will wait and see. Till April, unless they can tell what evidence is still lacking on my last note to them.

Thank you Berta, I may have to go revise the form now with your input. Sometimes I feel like my VSO should be helping me in this quest. Have you ever heard of getting a second VSO opinion from another organization?

Much appreciated for your info. I am waiting for the DRO in April. All medical evidence provided to SS was from the VA. Its all military related. Just a sit and wait thing. I have requested the VA provide me with information if any more evidence is needed and what it would be to conclude this. They may or may not reply but they have it all. I was out on disbility twice with the job and grew so bad It something I discussed with the VA nurse and was somewhat agreed on that quiting my job might be the best for my mental condition and boy, she was right. I am glad I have a very supporting wife.

Thanks Pete53. All medical evidence for SS was from the VA files. It took 1 month for the SS to approve the claim. I was surprised as I would not have even applied but the Voc Rehab counselor stated I should so I did. I applied in October as I quit my job in Sept and the SS approved in November back to the last day of work in Sept. My being unable to work is from my military disability.

Yes, I will check with the Dept of Labor on unemployment. My understanding when I read the SSD info is that if I was to get a job then SSD would stop. But I'm with you on that. Fortunately my unemployment will run out just about the same time SS kicks in . 26 week.

Thanks for the input. I just recently sent them the I U form you mentioned. I understand this to at least give them a starting point in case my rating is denied. My VSO stated it is very rare they get those approved. The VSO state my local VA will hear my case in April of next year. So until them I've asked the VA what is it they are actually lacking to decide my case. Until then I will wait.

I have a few questions here, I was recently approved for Social Security disability and have been requesting and increase of my disability. Can the VA come back and say since you are getting Social Security there is no need to increase your disabilitiy rating . Presently I am 50percent but had to quit my job in September due my disability. Just like info on how the SS plays in the VA roles? I am also collecting unemployment as with SSD they say if you get hired you may have to quit SSD. My questions are as follows: 1.Since I am requesting my VA to increase the ratings froom 50 to whatever could they come back and say since you get SS we don't need to give you any more money as you are getting it from SS? 2.The SS determined my disability from the VA records. Will this help me in my request to increase my disability? Thanks.

Hello, I'm not sure where to start but in service I was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. The VA has diagnosed me now with schizophrenic reaction, undifferentiated is confirmed and continued. I am also told I have schizoaffective disorder with mood disorders. This is getting more confusing as I also have been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and depression. What the VA is telling me is that my depression which is major is part of my mental disorder. My Bipolar is part of the mental disorder. Each of these disorders falls into the schizoaffective mood disorders. Has anyone ever dealt with this kind os situation where the disorders are part of the big picture. If it is its ok but if not I would there be any grounds to file for a secondary with any of these symptoms or does the mental disorder cover it all? Thanks for your time.

Yes I am working but it is stressful. No SSA. I have a Vet rep and we are working on some of the issues together. I appreciate your interest in this questions. Thanks.

50percent for Mental Schizophrenia reaction undifferentiated. They bundle everything under this heading for me including bi-polar and depression. Thanks for the info.

hi, I recently filed a claim with 3 items on the claim which included 1.Depression, 2.ED and 3. Sleep apnea. The VA has given me two C+P's, one for Ed, and one for depression. Nothing for sleep apnea. This sorta confuses me. Will the VA be able to render an opinion on OSA without the C+P? I had submitted the evidence where my mental health Psyshiatrist requested the sleep study, the interpreting sleep study doctor stated he didnt feel I needed CPAP but my Psychiatrist worked with Pulminologist and got me the CPAP machine. Yes, I am obese but could you state this was part of my mental illness since the Psychiatrist ordered it and wanted me to wear it for better mental health? I guess I'm lost as to if this can be service connected and wouldn't they do a CandP for it or could I have supplied enough information the CandP wasnt needed? I would appreciate any feedback you can give me on this short blurb.