I'm going to be losing my Health Care Benefits at the end of February. Has anyone gone from private health care to Tricare as a Veteran??

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 00:34:18 -0500

Response by 2d Lt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 12:39 AM

2d Lt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 00:39:09 -0500

Veterans aren't eligible for Tricare. You need to be on Active Duty, Guard/Reserve, Retired, a qualifying family member, or special.
http://www.tricare.mil/Plans/Eligibility.aspx

Eligibility

Your benefits and plans will vary depending on your beneficiary category. Click on the link below that best describes you to learn more:

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Feb 24 at 2016 9:57 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 09:57:04 -0500

Nothing can be more scary than not having medical insurance esp if you or your family have health issues to deal with. Here is a website which you can look at as it may apply to your situation. Best wishes to you & yours.
http://www.dol.gov/general/topic/health-plans/cobra

Health Plans & Benefits: Continuation of Health Coverage - COBRA | United States Department of...

Subtopics Child Care Assistance Compliance Assistance Consumer Information on Health Plans Continuation of Health Coverage (COBRA) Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 11:54 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 11:54:35 -0500

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member I believe your question has been answered although I am sure it is not what you wanted to hear. I just want to add. I have faced the same situation on a couple of occasions. It is scary, and the situation is not always improved as quickly as we would like. But also quite often when it is solved it turns out to be for the better.

Good luck.

Response by MSG Rick Emmertson made Feb 24 at 2016 11:58 AM

MSG Rick Emmertson — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 11:58:49 -0500

Yes, as a retired reservist. Tricare standard is free when you turn 60. Tricare prime is less than $600 a year. Tricare for life starts when you sign up for Medicare. Before retirement a veteran has VA health care. Ask a recruiter for a detailed report of your benefits.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 12:18 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 12:18:22 -0500

Yep. Went from United Healthcare (Union Pacific, through wife) to TriCare. The personal, medical, and monetary benefits were night and day different and exceptional. While many people around the country are cursed with Obummercare, I have had no more worries, no hassles, only a very small quarterly family installment, and not one worry in the world about medical care since. Several MRIs, two knee surgeries, other outpatient services, three emergency room visits (1 me, 2 wife), prescriptions galore, and not one blood-red Lincoln penny out of our pockets, except our quarterly payment, which is automatically deducted from my retirement pay. It DOES NOT get any better!!!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 24 at 2016 1:54 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 13:54:55 -0500

I made the transition from employer-provided health insurance to TRICARE (as a retired member). I found it easy and inexpensive. We used TRICARE standard and purchased a MOAA TRICARE supplement policy. This helped us keep our medical care costs under control. The MOAA premium at the time was less than my employer-provided policy premium. We didn't have to change doctors for any of our care and our local hospital was glad to accept TRICARE.

Based on your profile information it doesn't look like you are eligible for TRICARE because you aren't active, reserve, or retired. If your insurance through an employer or other group goes away soon, then you need to look for other options. I can't tell much about your employment or marital status from the post, so I can't suggest too many options. Maybe an independent insurance agent would be able to suggest some options, or there's always the "Obamacare" exchange or the state exchange in you live in one of the few states with one.