TRICARE for reservist

[buster232]

Hello all
A question for the reservist out there. I just left active duty and start my reserve job next month. I have heard that you can buy TRICARE for $600/yr is this true? Also what would you suggest for health insurance until my other benifits start at my civ job? I remember at TAPS hearing that you would be covered for 120 days after seperating but when I checked out the TRICARE duds deleted my name from the computer.

Thx

 

[pony251]

Tricare

Buster, The tricare thing is on a trial basis at first. It has yet to be implemented. There are a lot of issues to be worked out still. I am guard bumming and an independent contractor, so I want the tricare thing as well. I don't believe the 120 days is for those who separated, only those who retire or get kicked out.

 

[dudemize]

Another plan

Right now you can get Tricare coverage for 180 days if you are on orders for more than 30 days. For example, in my squadron they are offering active orders for anyone that wants them. So you go on orders for 45 days, then you get 180 days of coverage after coming off orders. After a few months go back on orders again to reset the 6 months coverage. This deal is on a trial basis as well and is up for renewal Dec 31st I think. Hopefully it will be continued, no guarantees though.

 

[AArider]

check out the MOAA web site for all you ever wanted to know about this.

 

[MercuryPilot]

I believe the 120 day thing from TAP class was for SGLI. That way you'd have a chance to make other arrangements.

As a reservist you will be able to continue your family dental plan for ~$50-60/month.

Good luck.
MP

 

[Andy]

Right now you can get Tricare coverage for 180 days if you are on orders for more than 30 days. For example, in my squadron they are offering active orders for anyone that wants them. So you go on orders for 45 days, then you get 180 days of coverage after coming off orders. After a few months go back on orders again to reset the 6 months coverage. This deal is on a trial basis as well and is up for renewal Dec 31st I think. Hopefully it will be continued, no guarantees though.

That's only for contingency orders. If you're not on contingency orders (my current assignment in Wash DC is not contingency ops), then you don't get Tricare past your orders date.

 

[Mooseflyer]

I remember at TAPS hearing that you would be covered for 120 days after seperating but when I checked out the TRICARE duds deleted my name from the computer.

I was told the exact same thing, but got a letter in the mail recently which said I was no longer covered. I'm currently researching, but in standard gov't fashion I'm getting the runaround. Please post if you hear the answer, and I'll do the same.

 

[dudemize]

I was told that you have to go to your personnel/admin office and specifically request to be placed back on the tricare list as you will automatically be removed on your date of separation. I'm no expert so try giving personnel a call and see what they say.

 

[SWAnnabee]

I just did all of this at the beginning of July

Here is my gouge,
After separating you get SGLI for 120 days. If you retire or are involuntarily separated, you get TAMP (Transition Assistance Medical Program) for 180 days. This starts out as TRICARE standard and you have to go to your DEERS office to enroll after you separate from active duty. Then you have to go to you TRICARE office to get switched back to TRICARE Prime.
The 2005 Defense Authorization Bill has TRICARE for reservists being looked at. The senate has approved making TRICARE available for reserves/guard for a fee, around $600/yr single persoon, $1800/yr family. The house wants to try it in 10 locations(I dont know where) until 2007, then consider making it available nationwide. We should hear more as we get closer to Oct 1, 04.
TRICARE dental (TDP) is available to all guard/reserve for $56/month for family coverage. This is a pretty good deal. The TRICARE medical for family $1800/yr would be F&^king GREAT and I hope it passes!

 

[10early?]

Any news?

Any news on whether the 2005 Defense bill passed with this in it? It would be S.H. if I could tell my insurance co. to pound sand. Been on Tricare for 30 months and haven't had any real problems, and my wife has used it a LOT. Haven't had to pay for a prescription for about three months now, low co-pay, etc. It's a good deal, though, so we probably won't get it......

 

[dingo222]

tricare

I just came back from Iraq and here is what I know about tricare:

If you were ordered to active duty for 30 or more days you are eligible for tricare standard. I was on for 14 months, so that made me eligible for 180 days for tricare standard. Most are eligible for 120 days. Look online for more info on tricare. I didnt have a clue, so I called the 1800 #, gave them my social, and they told me exactly what I was eligible for at that point. They also sent me tons of crap in the mail. Tricare Prime is a pay in program, more like a HMO or PPO. They will tell you what it costs, your network providers etc. I'll look and see if I can find the site where I got the ph # from.