Tricare New Changes cost WAY MORE!!

[Grumpbox]

Hey folks...I wasn’t sure where to put this, so here goes.

I guess this year, Tricare made some changes. My total pay out is now $3,000.00 before Tricare Insurance starts to kick in.

 I am 100% P&T but don’t live close to a VA facility; plus, I have my daughter (16) and wife on my insurance. These amounts are piling up!!!  I called Tricare and they said it doesn’t matter if I am 100% P&T.

 

Can anyone provide me with some advice.  I’ve got all the Tricare numbers/website, but is there something I am missing being 100% P&T that I am overlooking that could offset these mounting bills???

 

Many thanks!!

Grumpbox

[Richard1954]

1 hour ago, Grumpbox said:

@Richard1954 Richard - fill me in on all should know about Medicare, please Sir??  

Lets say I do this...apply for SSD.  Naturally, I will lose my Tricare.  

Question 1. I assume my daughter who is under 18 and wife can continue to remain on Tricare?  But I will have to start Medicare, which comes out of my social security disability. The social security office told me this amount was about $134.00. However, I researched the Medicare.com site and this is for Medicare Part B.  The entire Medicare program is a conundrum to me.

Then there is drug coverage?  But can't I continue to receive this through the VA?  

You will not lose tricare,  For you it will become Tricare for LIfe,  your family cost for tricare continue for you it will be free if and only if you take Medicare.  Part A Medicare is free, Part B is outpatient care , and everyone pays for it out of social security benefits.   You can continue to receive medical care from the VA, the Military on base, or use Medicare and Tricare off base. So you will actually have three way to get care, and your family will still have on base. or tricare of base.  I have paid for Medicare part B since 1999, Tricare and Medicare pay for my portable oxygen concentrator and a stationary concentrator plus supplies each month with no copay's. I use VA for some care and I use the Army Medical Center for same day appointments ,or emergencies. I only pay for Medicare part B.. it is well worth the cost. 

 

ADDED: You have to take Medicare Part B to keep your family's and your Tricare benefits, but you will only pay for tricare for the wife and kids.

Edited May 3, 2018 by Richard1954

[Grumpbox]

@Richard1954 VERY NICELY worded!!!  Even a redneck like me can understand that!!  This reduces my anxieties about my family being taken care of, if I do SSD.  

So if I elect SSD, the SSA automatically enrolls me into Parts A and B??  

[Richard1954]

1 minute ago, Grumpbox said:

@Richard1954 VERY NICELY worded!!!  Even a redneck like me can understand that!!  This reduces my anxieties about my family being taken care of, if I do SSD.  

So if I elect SSD, the SSA automatically enrolls me into Parts A and B??  

You have to sign up for Medicare Part B, Part A is automatically Free

[EODCMC]

Best explanation I've seen yet. Thanks! I would add, you can't work or you are significantly limited when you are receiving SSDI.

[Grumpbox]

1 minute ago, EODCMC said:

Best explanation I've seen yet. Thanks! I would add, you can't work or you are significantly limited when you are receiving SSDI.

ROGER THAT!!!  Can't say that I plan to work much, if any...

[Navy04]

This stuff is starting to get expensive. I just paid 3k to get my partials, even though I have insurance. I got tired of the VA dragging their butt, even though at Tier 1 100% P&T, my dental is supposed to be top priority thru the VA. My Civilian Dentist did in 5 mths, what the VA did not in 5 years. Really Frustrating that I pay $700 a mth for insurance on the family and I, and yet still have to pay Co-Pays. Sorry for the Rant Guys, God Bless!!!