Bash the system to your hearts desire, but I for one feel that the medical benefits we enjoy via TRICARE are by and large, top of the line. I know, I know, we all have exceptions and stories that would scare the stripe off of a skunk, BUT, by … and … large, it’s a good program. What we don’t always know is, what truly ARE our medical care benefits and how do we achieve them? Settle back, I’ve a story that one of you just might be interested in …
Let’s say you’ve been successful in rearing your family. And by chance and happenstance, one of your children develops a serious condition, let’s pick a biggie, the Big C, cancer. TRICARE is doing its job in securing treatment and paying most if not all of the expenses of treatment. Your child is making it through school, the cancer is being beaten, but they’re about to be emancipated from you, the sponsor, because of either age or college completion. But the treatments aren’t over? And you just know you can’t get another health insurance provider to pickup coverage for the pre-existing condition … Good Grief, Now What?
In to the picture, steps one of the least known and probably finest aspects of your benefits, post-TRICARE. It is called the Continued Health Care Benefit Program. The CHCBP offers temporary transitional health coverage for up to 36 months after TRICARE eligibility ends.
Now recognize, it ain’t cheap. It is a premium-based program, … BUT WHEN YOU CAN’T GET HEALTH INSURANCE FOR YOUR KID, due to the pre-existing condition, and their TRICARE coverage is about to expire, then … it’s only money, yes? And part of the beauty? You get to keep the same providers, and benefits, and the program rules under which they’ve been receiving treatment.
Folks, especially when it’s our kids needing the coverage, know your options. Understand the benefits that CHCBP provide as a follow-on health care program. If you wish to know more, follow the link above to the TRICARE website.
Yes I do know someone for whom this was a true Godsend, and yes (thank you for asking), due to the ability to continue medical care post-TRICARE, their child is now in remission. Do you know someone this could help? Please, tell them about it, give them the link, and then send them over to see us — SpouseBUZZ, where Military Spouses Connect! Over&Out, MaintenanceToadOne
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Great info, Toad. Thanks.
Definitely good information to pass along. Thanks
I think the issue is not necessarily the insurance, but the level of care you get at your MTF. Tricare provides a great deal of coverage, but often, the MTF cuts corners and doesn't allow you to get all those benefits. I speak from experience. We can't get well-child visits for our kids over age 2. This means that the 4 year shots often get forgotten (I know I forgot my son needed them!). We can't choose "off post" care, even though we have plenty of Tricare Prime providers willing to serve us.
But I will definitely keep the follow-on care in mind…we have 4 years till retirement!
Linda – I believe we all can say, "yep, understand." Sounds like you need to go talk to the MTF TRICARE advocate (which you've probably already done.) Are you saying you can't get an appt on-base, AND they won't approve you to go to an off base, TRICARE provider? Interesting.
For this post, the issue really was insurance. Presuming yall will still be active duty when your kids hit age 21 (which it doesn't sound like will be the case), and one of them needed to continue treatment for a pre-existing condition, then insurance coverage is the Only issue. Otherwise, it all starts coming out of your pocket … and this is where CHCBP comes to the rescue.
Thanks for the note, and let's hope another reader has some thoughts that might help you get those well baby appointments!
Toad
Great info!
I agree that we usually DO get great care…IF we can get the people at the MTF off their backsides to pay attention to our complaints.
I was wondering about some input on getting a good continuation of care thru the MTF…the only doctor who has ever been available more than once is the only one I can't stand, and refuse to ever see again….
Thanks for the valuable information. Much too often, we are unaware of many benefits available to us.
Linda: If your MTF has no appts, they HAVE to refer you off-site. They do not have a choice in the matter. It is required by Tricare. If it is just a matter of semantics, schedule the appt as a regular appt, not a well-baby. Where I am, they did not do 9 mo well-baby appts, so I just did it as a reg appt and told the doc it was a well-baby.
Thanks for your information! Healthcare insurance for anyone with a pre-existing condition can be a daunting thing to find. Prior to joining the military, my husband and I ran a surgical practice for many years. He now practices in the U.S. Army. I have worked with many insurance companies.
Once the 36 month period is up there are some options.
First of all, do NOT omit information about your 21 year old's medical condition. Failure to disclose will get you booted out!
In general, because of the pre-existing condition, the insured's premiums will be higher.
1. If your 21 year old is and has been in remission, apply for an all-inclusive program HMO program like Kaiser.
2. If no HMO program will accept him, then turn to PPO with a deductible you can afford. Just remember that the higher the deductible, the less expensive your monthly payments. However, the onus is on the buyer to save an amount equivalent to the deductible in the bank to cover all the expenses. So, say you have a $2500 deductible… Save this amount in cash in the bank to pay all expenses up to this. Once you've reached the deductible, most plans reach an 80/20 agreement. They pay 80% of costs, you pay 20%, until you reach the stop loss.
3. If you cannot find either a PPO or HMO, and your son or daughter has no assets and can show a medically proven reason why they can't work, then you might consider applying for Medicaid. Medicaid will give you an HMO plan.
4. If your 21 year old goes to school, check out student health insurance plans. Usually there are both PPO and HMO options.
If anyone has any questions about healthcare insurance, contact me through my blog. I'm happy to answer what I can.
Weird question but here it goes:My stepdaughter was living w/us for 6 or 7 months and got into all kinds of trouble. Even shoplifting and getting arrested at our local bx! She kept running away then finally 4 days before her 18th birthday she did it again and we said thats enough. Stay or move out-your choice but we have rules here. So she chose to move out. We kept her military ID and now shes throwing a fit over a month after the fact saying were breaking the law. It's my understanding that she may be entitled to have her ID if she lived at home-even if she didn't. But she's 18 so its not REQUIRED> Does anyone understand what Im saying?