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Since some of you Wingers may be 20 year military, full or part time: Today I visited a Tri-Care rep at the Gap. I happen to be National Guard retired - here is what I found:
60 - 65: Once you get processed with your retirement ID, you are automatically entered into basic coverage, and can use your ID to get prescriptions & have medical bills sent/billed to Tri-Care. If your physician does not subscribe, then get a bill, make a copy & send it in. Found out that CVS has an agreement with Tri-Care for prescriptions, just talk to the pharmacist & show your card.
But, for an additional $460/year, you can get Tri-Care Plus AS LONG AS you get your medical care from a PRIMARY SOURCE. In my case, this means driving from Lebanon to Carlisle. Of course, if this is your only medical coverage, I'd travel as the cost is so low.
65 & over: Before age 65, you must enroll in Medicare Parts A & B. Tri-Care is now free for life. Also, have your ID card updated to reflect that you have Medicare A & B.
A spouse is covered under you for life, but you must initially sign up your spouse with the ID card, which must be renewed ever 4 years and at the time of any additions of Medicare until age 75, after which your spouse is good for life. Spouse is still covered if you die first.
IMPORTANT! If you are going to use Tri-Care benefits, DO NOT GET PART D MEDICARE! Tri-Care is a CREDIBLE INSURANCE program, and as such will NOT work to your benefit if you get Part D. In fact, if you have any credible medical insurance, you do NOT need Part D.
Several military posts do a retirement day event, at which time there usually is a Tri-Care seminar.
I also got more websites:
www.hnfs.net for Tri-Care / Healthnet
www.tricare.osd.mil for Tri-Care Main
If you visit my website & click on the Retired Army pin at the top, you will open the Retired 63rd Army Band website, where I have additional links.
60 - 65: Once you get processed with your retirement ID, you are automatically entered into basic coverage, and can use your ID to get prescriptions & have medical bills sent/billed to Tri-Care. If your physician does not subscribe, then get a bill, make a copy & send it in. Found out that CVS has an agreement with Tri-Care for prescriptions, just talk to the pharmacist & show your card.
But, for an additional $460/year, you can get Tri-Care Plus AS LONG AS you get your medical care from a PRIMARY SOURCE. In my case, this means driving from Lebanon to Carlisle. Of course, if this is your only medical coverage, I'd travel as the cost is so low.
65 & over: Before age 65, you must enroll in Medicare Parts A & B. Tri-Care is now free for life. Also, have your ID card updated to reflect that you have Medicare A & B.
A spouse is covered under you for life, but you must initially sign up your spouse with the ID card, which must be renewed ever 4 years and at the time of any additions of Medicare until age 75, after which your spouse is good for life. Spouse is still covered if you die first.
IMPORTANT! If you are going to use Tri-Care benefits, DO NOT GET PART D MEDICARE! Tri-Care is a CREDIBLE INSURANCE program, and as such will NOT work to your benefit if you get Part D. In fact, if you have any credible medical insurance, you do NOT need Part D.
Several military posts do a retirement day event, at which time there usually is a Tri-Care seminar.
I also got more websites:
www.hnfs.net for Tri-Care / Healthnet
www.tricare.osd.mil for Tri-Care Main
If you visit my website & click on the Retired Army pin at the top, you will open the Retired 63rd Army Band website, where I have additional links.
