Military Retiree Healthcare

As a Military retiree, you have the option of medical benefits through TriCare insurance. There is Tricare West, Tricare North, Tricare South and even Tricare online. This coverage was previously called Champus. And, it used to be that these military retirement health care benefits were at no cost to the retired military member or family.  Now there is an annual fee for those same medical benefits through Tricare Prime insurance. TriCare Standard is still available at no cost to the retired military member and their family, however, the appointments are secondary to those available to TriCare Prime beneficiaries.  In other words, the TriCare Prime appointments are seen first. 

If the retiree lives close enough to use one of the military installation medical facilities, there are no co-pays.  However, it often takes several weeks to obtain an appointment with the member’s Primary Care Manager at the military installation medical facility when going to an outside health care provider is much faster. Even with the possibility of going on the outside, there is still the need to see the Primary Care Manager at the military facility in order to obtain a referral or Tricare will probably pay reduced rate or may not pay at all. The referral process can take more time and co-pays can be involved as well.

If the retiree does not live close to an installation, access is still available through the military form of insurance, Tricare. With that the retired service member would have to find a facility or provider that takes the military insurance.  And, there are the costs involved with the long drive or perhaps even an overnight stay in the area.  There is also the deductible to consider.

Along with Tricare Prime and Tricare Standard there is Tricare Dental in some areas.  In many areas the dental is not available and/or there is an extra cost. The monthly amount for the dental insurance can be prohibitive to some. Chiropractic care is not covered at all for the military retiree or family members and there is no insurance offered.

Though prescriptions are covered at the military installations, not all medications the member prefers are available and oftentimes there is no choice as to whether or not a generic medication must be accepted.  A little known fact about generic medications is that there can be some differences between the brand named products and the generic. The differences can affect the individuals taking the medications to the extent that either the medication does not work as effectively or the side affects are more prominent.

At the military installation medical facilities ophthalmology appointments for vision care can sometimes be obtained for the retiree and family members.  However, optometry, (vision correction with glasses, etc.), are not covered for the retiree and dependents.  In some facilities there is a small office where glasses can be ordered, but at the complete expense of the retiree. Often times it is much less expensive to go to an outside facility to order glasses.

There is some choice when it comes to Tricare providers at the military medical facility, but getting specialized care is not as easy as it is outside the military medical facility.

Holistic medicine is not the norm at the military medical facility.  For those who wish to use alternative methods to prevent and treat illness or disease, there is very little opportunity or resources. When the retiree or dependent has an alternative to using the military medical facility, care can be more expedient and perhaps more holistic. Supplemental access to health, dental, chiropractic, prescriptions and vision care can simplify the process and save money.

AmeriPlan is an excellent alternative for military retirement beneficiaries as a supplement to Tricare insurance. Anyone who would like to choose the kind of care they have access to can benefit. Because AmeriPlan is not insurance, there is no limit on visits or services.  All pre-existing conditions are covered.  There is no deductible; no age limit, no claim forms, no waiting period and specialists are included.  Unlike the military medical facility or even other civilian health care organizations, you can change providers whenever you want without having to notify anyone.

AmeriPlan is a great opportunity for anyone who can’t afford the high price of insurance, who can’t qualify for health insurance because of previous health history, and as a wonderful addendum for the military retiree.  This is an option you will want to share with friends and family.

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