How long do you keep Tricare after you get out of the military?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 11:40:13 -0400

Once you leave the military how long are you covered by health insurance?

The different instances are:
1. ETS/resign commission
2. Reserve retirement
3. Active retirement

Response by MSgt George Cater made Apr 9 at 2017 11:53 AM

MSgt George Cater — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 11:53:21 -0400

One active retirement, you and family have it til you go on Medicare, then it becomes Tricare for Life as a Medicare supplement. My wife became (Social Security) disabled in her late 50's and had to go on Medicare by the laws. We were upset at first, but it has been good as we almost never see a bill. (And she has lots of Med procedures). What medicare does pay TFL picks up.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 9 at 2017 12:19 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 12:19:54 -0400

1. No
2. At 60
3. Right then
Everyone is Medicare at 65 and whatever you have becomes secondary, hence the shift to Tricare for life. Why pay for something else? BTW choose wisely over Standard and so called Prime. If you live near a MIL medical facility and don't have anything better to do than deal with no parking, waiting for hours, and being required to pay for it, by all means go for it. If you want to live a more normal life, take the money you would have paid for Prime and that becomes your copay pool. Need serious surgery that requires a chunk of money? You can still go to the MIL hospital. No MIL hospital but VA is nearby? You can go there. They bill Tricare. Never could figure out why I'd pay money to be forced to go to a MIL provider to get a referral to the outside. I pay my $20 on Tuesday out here in the sticks to get the referral to see the pro in Coeur 'd Alene on Friday. Have to drive anyways. Oh, if you live out in the sticks, the one time payment for Life Flight coverage is a good idea.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Apr 9 at 2017 6:40 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 18:40:39 -0400

CAPT Kevin B. has a great answer to this question. Pretty much covers everything you need to know.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 9 at 2017 7:08 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 19:08:56 -0400

Active duty retirement: you have TRICARE available as the primary insurer until you are 65. Many people buy a supplemental insurance policy to help cover what TRICARE doesn't. I did.

After age 65, TRICARE for Life becomes the secondary insurer to MEDICARE parts A & B. This is probably one of he biggest good deals ever for retired military personnel.

Response by MSG Laura Washington made Apr 14 at 2017 11:59 AM

MSG Laura Washington — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 11:59:42 -0400

There are various TRICARE Health and Dental plans that one can be eligible for. Once you leave the military, if you are not eligible for one of the transitional plans, 99% have eligibility for the Continued Health Care Benefit Program. The premiums are (in my opinion) high. There are so many variables for eligibility, the three basic scenarios you provided are not enough individual info to determine TRICARE eligibility.
1. ETS/resign commission - need to know duty status, voluntary/involuntary, adverse actions, etc.
2. Reserve retirement - before age 60 - you have TRICARE Retired Reserve and TRICARE for Retirees.
3. Active retirement - regular retirement, non-regular - i.e. medical. less than 20 AFS . .
BLUF: non of the above matters if your DEERS is not coded/updated correctly. Your information in DEERS is going to drive what benefits you are eligible to receive.