Can Someone Help With Answers

[jessie0054]

Hello:

I had a veteran ask if i could help fine a way to get his wife on Tri-Care as she can not get medical coverage.

He is a Retired Veteran of the Airforce [ Served 20 years and 9 months]

He and his wife were married 13 years and 9 months of his active service.

What does he have to do to get her covered for the rest of her life?

Is there a way?

Thanks, Jessie

[recruiterrick]

remarry her is the simplest. the gov't has to honor a divorce decree and if it is not so staed in the decree, they won't do it.

be careful of amending the divorce decree

[jessie0054]

remarry her is the simplest. the gov't has to honor a divorce decree and if it is not so staed in the decree, they won't do it.

be careful of amending the divorce decree

Thanks Recruiterrick:

They haven't divorced yet!! But it's in the making from what i understand. [ the veteran is my sons employer].

He said they have been married for 35 years with 13 years and 9 months of it during his Active Military Service.

A part of the divorce is that he maintain Medical insurance on the wife for the rest of her life.

Thanks Jessie

[recruiterrick]

after the divorce take the divorce decree to the nearest tri-care office. that'll do it.

[jessie0054]

B)

after the divorce take the divorce decree to the nearest tri-care office. that'll do it.

B) Thanks again!!

That's all he has to do to see that she stays on the TRICARE after the divorce??

He said that she didn't qualify due to not being married long enough during his active service [ they were married 13 years and 9 months of the 20 year active service]

Tricare is telling him they weren't married long enough during active service?????

Thanks Jessie

[Ricky]

Stay married!

[free_spirit_etc]

ACK! NO! That's NOT all he has to do!

From Tri-Care Handbook:

"• Former spouses of active or retired military who were married to a service member or former member who had performed at least 20 years of creditable service for retirement purposes at the time the divorce or annulment occurred. The former spouse must also meet the following requirements:

1. Must not have remarried.

2. Must not be covered by an employer-sponsored health plan.

3. Must not be the former spouse of a NATO (or “Partners for Peace” nation) member. And—

4. Must meet the requirements of one (not all) of the following three situations:

Situation 1:

Must have been married to the same member or former member for at least 20 years, and at least 20 of those married years must have been creditable in determining the member’s eligibility for retirement pay. If the date of the final decree of divorce or annulment was on or after February 1, 1983, the former spouse is eligible for TRICARE coverage of health care that is received after that date. If the date of the final decree is before February 1, 1983, the former spouse is eligible for TRICARE coverage of health care received on or after January 1, 1985.

Situation 2:

Must have been married to the same military member or former member for at least 20 years, and at least 15—but less than 20— of those married years must have been creditable in determining the member’s eligibility for retirement pay. If the date of the final decree of divorce or annulment is before April 1, 1985, the former spouse is eligible only for care received on or after January 1, 1985, or the date of the decree, whichever is later.

Situation 3:

Must have been married to the same military member or former member for at least 20 years, and at least 15—but less than 20— of those married years must have been creditable in determining the member’s eligibility for retirement pay. If the date of the final decree of divorce or annulment is on or after September 29, 1988, the former spouse is eligible for care received for only one year from the date of the decree. Upon completion of the period of eligibility for TRICARE, explained in Situation 3 above, a former spouse is eligible for the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP). Check with your BCAC/HBA/TSC for details."

He could re-enlist :D

Don't know what to tell you on this one.

He might want to inform his lawyer that he CAN'T get it through the military (as that might change the MIX of other things settled..i.e. if he has to pay for private coverage, then he would get to retain more of his retirement pay).

But then, again, as you say she can't get medical coverage --then that really needs to be discussed with the attorney -- because if she isn't insurable - then being ordered to provide health insurance when Tricare is not an option would be pretty rough. And even being married for 15 years of credit time in the service would only get her one year. She would need the whole 20 years for life time coverage.

If the attorney's thought he could get coverage - that would be the route they would go toward - but if Tricare won't cover her - they might have to work something else out.

Some of it will most likely depend on who really wants the divorce.

As he is retired Air Force - he can also talk to the AF attorney.

With all the years you added up here - she is not a real long way away from Medicare, is she?

They also have a 36 month plan - like COBRA - for continued coverage for 3 years:

Private Health Insurance:

From time to time private insurance programs have been established to provide transition coverage for former spouses who will lose medical coverage. The most recent program was established in 1994, the CONTINUED HEALTH CARE BENEFIT PROGRAM (CHCBP).

Although the program was designed primarily for those military members who are separated under one of the new incentive programs, coverage for former spouses is available.

Former spouses who do not remarry are eligible to purchase coverage for up to 36 months. Information can be obtained from CHCBP at 1-800-809-6119.

Free

Thanks again!!

That's all he has to do to see that she stays on the TRICARE after the divorce??

He said that she didn't qualify due to not being married long enough during his active service [ they were married 13 years and 9 months of the 20 year active service]

Tricare is telling him they weren't married long enough during active service?????

Thanks Jessie