The military has failed us, I am very disappointed. (vent)

[ToriLammy]

Is this what our present administration considers "supporting our troops.

The rules for United Concordia have been in effect for years. It has nothing to do with this President or even the last administration. It has to do with Congress and the Department of Defense and the changes they have made over the many years to military benefits and those of retirees.

The bottom line is that it is the responsibility of the military member (or retiree) to understand the rules set forth by Tricare/United Concordia. Every year they update those rules, it is important that you keep up with them. Had the member known about the 12 month minimum rule he could have enrolled when he did have 12 months left in service and his family would be covered.

I really don't like what has happened to military benefits but to blame the current administration for something that has been in effect for over 10 years and was voted on by Congress is wrong.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Yikes! Might he stay in an additional 6 months to make it a year? Is that even worth doing?

You made me think of the hospital system I worked for. As with all companies, they were slowly cutting employee benefits. I remember my boss' jaw dropping to the floor when she learned that all spouse's life insurance coverage would be dropped from $100,000 to $50,000! Considering her husband has been retired quite a few years and has cardiac problems, she was less than thrilled to hear that.

Sorry, Debbi! Personally, I've never had dental coverage. Always paid out of pocket.

 

[tiggerlover]

Originally posted by ToriLammy
Had the member known about the 12 month minimum rule he could have enrolled when he did have 12 months left in service and his family would be covered.

Not possible, we were stationed overseas where the coverage is not offered. They make you unenroll when you transfer overseas and re-enroll when you return to the US. Additionally, we were scheduled to be in Italy until next year, our base closed and we were given only a few months to move, so we had no way of being prepared or covered.

 

[tiggerlover]

Originally posted by Pin Wizard
Yikes! Might he stay in an additional 6 months to make it a year? Is that even worth doing?

Not possible, wish it were though.

 

[Planogirl]

This is really pathetic. Is there absolutely no way to work this out? My Dad was military while I was growing and we also had a few issues to deal with way back then.

 

[Otto's Doll]

Nothing to add, Debbi (we just had to go to Tricare/United Concordia this week, as Otto has been activated for 18 months now, with another 6 months to go, so no more civilian health care for us) just wanted to send you a hug.

 

[powellrj]

I am so sorry this is happening to you. It's just not right. My DS is in the army and wanted his teeth cleaned. No go, only would see him if he had a problem. He knew he was going to Iraq and wouldn't get a chance to have his teeth cleaned for a while so he made an appointment with our family dentist. Lets just say it cost almost 1/2 a months pay just to get his teeth cleaned because the army said no.

 

[AirForceRocks]

Originally posted by ToriLammy
The rules for United Concordia have been in effect for years. It has nothing to do with this President or even the last administration. It has to do with Congress and the Department of Defense and the changes they have made over the many years to military benefits and those of retirees.

...


I really don't like what has happened to military benefits but to blame the current administration for something that has been in effect for over 10 years and was voted on by Congress is wrong.

Well said, TL. United Concordia/Tricare Dental isn't something that's new. We enrolled our DD in it as soon as she was born, and she's 10 now, so this has been around for quite some time. I agree that the benefits for dependents have eroded over the last 20 years, but it's the result of a number of administrations, not just this one.

 

[jjskribs]

Tori,

I didn't mean to imply that this administration created the problem but I would like to know what they have done over the course of the last 4 years to help alleviate the problem. I would think that helping to correct some of these problems would have been a priority. Has the president done everything that he could do to help resolve some of the issues that many veterans have?

What exactly does "Support Our Troops" mean to him?

 

[katerkat]

Originally posted by jjskribs
I didn't mean to imply that this administration created the problem but I would like to know what they have done over the course of the last 4 years to help alleviate the problem. I would think that helping to correct some of these problems would have been a priority. Has the president done everything that he could do to help resolve some of the issues that many veterans have?

What exactly does "Support Our Troops" mean to him?

Well, the military has gotten pay raises between 4.1 and 6.9% over the last four years - the highest since 1982.

 

[missypie]

First off, I don't know why dental care isn't a "given" with all health plans. Tooth pain can be much more debilitating than lots of other illnesses.

Second, if they want you to pay out of pocket for dental, then they need to pay your DH the going market rate for whatever job he does for them.

 

[AirForceRocks]

I didn't mean to imply that this administration created the problem but I would like to know what they have done over the course of the last 4 years to help alleviate the problem.

What has any administration done to alleviate the problem? The OPs situation, while bad, is most likely very uncommon. While I agree that there should be something in place to address these types of situations, I disagree that this is some massive problem that requires immediate Presidential intervention.

 

[ToriLammy]

Originally posted by jjskribs
Tori,

I didn't mean to imply that this administration created the problem but I would like to know what they have done over the course of the last 4 years to help alleviate the problem. I would think that helping to correct some of these problems would have been a priority. Has the president done everything that he could do to help resolve some of the issues that many veterans have?

What exactly does "Support Our Troops" mean to him?

Well, since you asked...last year at this time we went to get our daughter a new wheelchair. Now in the past (1988, 1992, 1997) we had to go through a lot of paperwork, apply for the Program for People with Disabilities, wait for approval, find a provider who would accept monthly payments from Tricare, wait for approval and pay a portion of the cost. Surprise, last year when we went we had to fill out one form, find a provider and her wheelchair was paid for in one lump sum with no portion for us to pay. We were approved the same day we submitted the paperwork. That's something that has been done in the last 4 years. Let me tell you, it was awesome to finally not have to jump through 50 odd hoops and wait 3-4 months in order to obtain the durable medical equipment my handicapped daughter required.

 

[kadaten]

Originally posted by Parrothead1964
I'm sorry too. I've always said anyone who volunteers to take a bullet for me (and our country) should get great treatment. Unfortunately, the only news we've heard lately regarding benefits of military families is the outrage over free plastic surgery.

Don't want to hijack the thread or start a debate, but want to let you know that what you see reported in the media is not always how it really is.

I am a military dependant. I was referred by my PCM for plastic surgery that she considered medically necessary. Plastic surgeons said it wasn't, that regular surgery would do fine....not pretty in the least, but serviceable. I was welcome to have the plastic surgery, though, for a $3000 copay. Doesn't sound free to me. How 'bout you?

Since I'm scared of docs, hospitals, needles, and scalpels, I've elected to "deal" with my problem and have none of it.

Remember folks: what's reported in the media is not always as it appears. The media's job, while to report the news, also involves getting good ratings. Scandal pieces do that best, even when there's no scandal to report.

 

[Trinity721]

Just wanted to say sorry to hear that tiggerlover, and I hope you can find a way to appeal it some how... That is just ridiculous, nice way to show you all 'thanks for being supportive of your military spouse'. Hugs to you! I know how frustrating it can be dealing with Tricare...

 

[Chim Chiminy]

Chim Chiminy, I am truly sorry for what you are going through, that is a horrible situation to be in and very, very frustrating! I am glad they finally got you a family provider, just sorry they haven't come through on the rest. You are so right, the military doesn't always take care of its own

Thanks Tiggerlover.
Thankfully for us, we are moving to Maine and will be right outside of the naval base in Brunswick.
The PCS is a whole other can of worms! LOL. Things aren't going smoothly there either.

My hope is that once in Brunswick (next week) we will be able to find a provider for DS and finally, finally get him the therapy he needs.

My FIL is retired air force and they got so fed up with tricare they decided to just pay for their own insurance.



I truly do hope things work out for you and your DH.
Thank him for us, for a job well done and appreciated. And big thanks to you for supporting him.

 

[KimRaye]

Sorry to read this, Debbi. Truly not the "Welcome Home and Thanks" that you, DH and DS deserve. What a shame.