Which insurance would be best for me to go to?

PVT Angelo Velez — Tue, 26 May 2015 20:09:36 -0400

I have the choice of either going on to my dad's insurance until I can no longer be on his insurance. It is blue cross blue shield I believe or should I get on my own insurance of Tricare reserve select since I am in the National Guard and also, I will soon be an ROTC cadet. Opinions and advice would help. I don't mind paying for my own insurance but I don't know which is better. I am also 17, will be 18 in June and a college student next spring.

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 26 at 2015 8:17 PM

SFC Stephen King — Tue, 26 May 2015 20:17:34 -0400

http://www.nationalguard.com/benefits

You should have insurance now. Also you need to research cadet command for insurance as well.

Benefits | National Guard

Benefits - Get a degree with money for school, learn job skills, and earn pride for life.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 26 at 2015 8:36 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 26 May 2015 20:36:38 -0400

Tricare has been really good to me and my family. There are ups and downs like any insurance company but definitely more ups. It's worth a try.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2015 8:38 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2015 20:38:01 -0400

I have had Geico and now have USAA. I am a huge fan.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2015 8:38 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2015 20:38:34 -0400

As with any insurance question the answer is it depends. If one knew the answers as to when one will need the insurance and at what level the answer is simple and usually obvious.

Some factors to consider

Your health
What happens when you can no longer be on Dad's policy
What are the costs

In the long term I think you are best to get insurance in your own right. But, that is just my opinion. I went to the doctor one day and after the visit I was no longer insurable. That may have changed with Obamacare, but, even if it has the cost could skyrocket.

So, it is like any other life decision. List the alternative and their pros and cons then make an intelligent decision.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2015 8:43 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2015 20:43:46 -0400

It depends on what you want out of your insurance. BCBS can be used pretty much anywhere, and is usually pretty good. The Select version of Tricare is pretty much garbage, but it would be all yours.

Response by SFC Joseph James made May 26 at 2015 8:52 PM

SFC Joseph James — Tue, 26 May 2015 20:52:08 -0400

USAA works great for us!

Response by SSG John Jensen made May 26 at 2015 9:42 PM

SSG John Jensen — Tue, 26 May 2015 21:42:14 -0400

USAA was fantastic while I was in the Guard, with that sorta standard guard thing of the drop dead notice letter arriving while on Annual Trng. a simple call and the cancellation and sometimes the late fee was dropped.

the downside of USAA is when my boss got a new home that required new shingles, and USAA told him that he couldn't re-shingle his house himself. so many things that a person can do, usaa won't allow, and requires contractors

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2015 9:49 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2015 21:49:40 -0400

Tricare has been great for us and afordable!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2015 10:17 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2015 22:17:57 -0400

Tricare Reserve Select is comparable to any HMOS' out there. Any insurance can be great or it can suck. As a single male right now, TRS my be your best bet.

It's best to review TRS before making a decision and compare to other plans out there ; cost shares, premiums, deductibles etc. Right now for you its $50.75/month.
http://www.tricare.mil/Costs/HealthPlanCosts/TRS.aspx

It's really easy to apply:
http://www.tricare.mil/Plans/Enroll/TRS.aspx

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2015 11:18 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2015 23:18:50 -0400

I have Tricare Reserve Select. It has been amazing. My daughter is on her third battle with cancer and Tricare has been there all the way.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 1:18 AM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 May 2015 01:18:20 -0400

I'd go with Tricare reserve select. I haven't used mine yet but have had prime for the past 4 years when my husband was active duty. Just like others have said, there are ups & downs with all companies but Tricare has treated my family well. Nothing beats a 4 day hospital stay for you & your newborn baby & having a $0 bill.

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made May 27 at 2015 7:05 AM

MSgt Keith Hebert — Wed, 27 May 2015 07:05:34 -0400

IMHO I really think you need to stay on your parents health insurance till you are at least out of college. My reasoning behind this is this, you about to start school and health insurance is the last thing you need to worry about.
Concentrate on school

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made May 27 at 2015 9:25 AM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Wed, 27 May 2015 09:25:19 -0400

AS a student in college most insurance will let the child stay till either 23 or 26 I forget. But either way if the insurance is the same with you on or off then stay on it till the time runs out or you Graduate. Tri care vs Humana Military just depends on the plan your father has.

Response by 1LT A. Uribe made May 27 at 2015 4:27 PM

1LT A. Uribe — Wed, 27 May 2015 16:27:28 -0400

Save the money, your parents insurance should cover you up to about the age of 25 as long as you're single and going to school.

Response by TSgt Daniel Pate made May 27 at 2015 4:34 PM

TSgt Daniel Pate — Wed, 27 May 2015 16:34:14 -0400

I have been with USAA for a long time and they have been great for myself and my family. I would recommend researching and see what meets your needs.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 6:54 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 06:54:01 -0400

You should pick insurance company the best suits your needs you can stay on your dad's insurance till you're 18 and then you can switch over to your own insurance most likely something that does not involve the military. Because if you decide to leave you lose all your principal you should pick an insurance company that will give you the lowest co-pay for the best insurance possible and an insurance that covers everything medical dental health right across the board

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 7:27 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 07:27:48 -0400

Since you are ARNG I would stay on your parents until you finish college and become gainfully employed in your chosen career or until it is a financial burden in your parents. Tricare Select is a great plan regardless and may be your best option when looking at employer privided benefits after college. You can choose to go that route on your own and use it as leverage for more pay when negotiating your new employment. It is also a great idea for thise who like to biunce from one employer to another, so that they have continuous coverage.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 3:26 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 15:26:25 -0400

If you parents have good to above average insurance, take advantage of the Affordable Care extension till age 26. Insurance is very regional, and often dependent on your health and relationship with current doctors. What might be great insurance for me where I live and at my level of health, might not be accepted by your doctor where you live.

If you are healthy and don't go to doctors, the answer is very different if you see you doctors or specialists regularly. Look at monthly costs, costs if you go to emergency room, deductible/co-pay and total out of pocket limit. Do the math assuming you are just as healthy as you are now, and what happens if you get really sick, and have $10k out of pocket in a year.

Hope that helps!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 9:11 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 21:11:23 -0400

Is just stay on your dads insurance plan. It'll be way cheaper. Unless you have major health issues that you would need Tricare for (you're going to be a cadet so probably not) your dads insurance is probably just as well if you don't live right next to a military base where you can go for "free".