Tri Care Standard How easy to use?

[DawnCt]

Has anyone had an experience with Tri Care Standard for military deployments of less than 180 days? I am trying to figure out the ins and outs, particularly for the dental program. We have one child already in orthodontia. Can Tri care serve as a secondary insurance? Thanks.

[tiggerlover]

Hi Dawn! I don't have any experience with Standard, only Prime, but I thought I would bump this back to the first page for you.

Here's a link that may help:
http://www.insurexchange.com/glossary/tricare.htm

:bounce::wave::bounce:

[nativetxn]

No idea what you are talking about, just thought I would bump you back to page one :)

[Mom2Em]

I know that Tricare can be a secondary ins in medical instances... not familiar with orthodontia though... Try there service line, they should be able to help you... I know one number is 800 941-4501.
I don't have Tricare personally just work with them through my job.

[Hollymom1229]

Try www.tricare.osd.mil, you should be able to find all kinds of links and numbers there for your area. I work very closely with developing TriCare initiatives, I hope it meets your needs.

[DawnCt]

Thanks everyone. I am getting used to this "deployment idea" and beginning to figure out the nuts and bolts of it. It is always said that the families of the Regular Army are better prepared than the families of Reservists. I can see why. :)

[AF Brenda]

Tricare Standard (the old CHAMPUS) works just like regular insurance, you get to pick your doctor. If the doctor you choose accepts Tricare, then you will pay him 20%, and he will bill them for the rest. Tricare will pick up 80% of the allowable charges. If he doesn't accept Tricare, you will have to pay him, then file with Tricare. Tricare will then reimburse you for 80% of allowable charges, and you will be responsible for the rest.

So, if the doctor doesn't accept Tricare, and he charges you $100, you will have to pay the $100. If Tricare considers $100 to be the allowable charge for that service, you will be reimbursed $80. However, if Tricare feels that $80 is the allowable charge, then you will only be reimbursed $64 (80% of allowable).

Dental is totally separate from Tricare Standard medical. Tricare Dental must be purchased with a monthly premium.

Hope this helps some!

[AF Brenda]

Also, if you already have medical insurance, Tricare will be the secondary payer, not the primary. So, you can use Tricare Standard as a supplemental to pick up part or all of what isn't covered by your regular medical plan.

[DawnCt]

Thanks Brenda, I was looking at it as a Secondary insurance, which will certainly be helpful. I believe that the Tricare pharmacy plan is better than my existing insurance as well. We were hoping to update DEERS and DOES today but that may not happen until tomorrow, which means we will miss a month of the dental plan. Oh well. The premium is certainly reasonable for the family and I am hoping it will pick up some of my son's orthodontia as a secondary.