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We are likely moving to Greenville this Spring. We just became eligible for Tricare and we are considering dropping our Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage (will save $500/month) to just have Tricare exclusively (unsure of whether we will do standard or prime). How difficult it is to find doctors/providers who take Tricare in the area? I welcome any thoughts/suggestions.
We are likely moving to Greenville this Spring. We just became eligible for Tricare and we are considering dropping our Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage (will save $500/month) to just have Tricare exclusively (unsure of whether we will do standard or prime). How difficult it is to find doctors/providers who take Tricare in the area? I welcome any thoughts/suggestions.
I have Tricare Standard (used to have Prime until they changed the distance from the nearest military facility). I would drop Blue Cross in a heartbeat to you can get on Tricare.
All of the doctors that my family sees takes Tricare Standard/Extra. We use mostly Greenville Heath System, but also have several other specialists.
I suggest going with a supplement from like the one from Selman Co/ASI. It covers all of your out of pocket expenses, co-pays, etc.. if you are eligible.
Also to save money, use Express Scripts whenever you can. You get 90 days supply for what you pay for 30 days at a local drug store (or sometimes things are free at Express Scripts).
Thank you for the advice. That is all super helpful. I am brand new to the Tricare world and am a little overwhelmed. I will check out the supplemental policy idea. Thanks!
We had Tricare Prime in FL and when they changed the distance requirement, we had to either go with Standard or sign a waiver that we didn't care about the distance or want a reimbursement for travel. We signed. Tricare Prime is a much better plan than Standard. No contest.
We had Tricare Prime in FL and when they changed the distance requirement, we had to either go with Standard or sign a waiver that we didn't care about the distance or want a reimbursement for travel. We signed. Tricare Prime is a much better plan than Standard. No contest.
Not sure if it's no contest. I've had Prime for 9 years then was switched to Standard. With Prime, I paid a yearly premium plus co-pays. With Standard, I added a supplement and now have no co-pays, no prescription costs. With the supplement, I'm paying less now than with Prime. Have the same exact doctors. Family of 5.
Not sure if it's no contest. I've had Prime for 9 years then was switched to Standard. With Prime, I paid a yearly premium plus co-pays. With Standard, I added a supplement and now have no co-pays, no prescription costs. With the supplement, I'm paying less now than with Prime. Have the same exact doctors. Family of 5.
I was comparing Prime to Standard side by side. Actually I wasn't even aware supplements existed. How does that work?
I was comparing Prime to Standard side by side. Actually I wasn't even aware supplements existed. How does that work?
I'm using Selman & Co, formally known as ASI. You must be a member of an organization like NCOA to join.
Rates vary depending on your situation. Some doctors will bill ASI as a secondary, sometimes you have to submit the paperwork yourself to get refunded.
What's great about Selman/ASI is that they also cover prescriptions. Some supplement companies don't offer that. Just in prescriptions alone, it covers most of our monthly premium.
We had Tricare Prime in FL and when they changed the distance requirement, we had to either go with Standard or sign a waiver that we didn't care about the distance or want a reimbursement for travel. We signed. Tricare Prime is a much better plan than Standard. No contest.
Can you explain why it is better? I don't know that we are eligible for the plan to cover co-pays. Thanks.
You cannot get Tricare Prime in this area. Greenville is too far away from a military base. If you were eligible for Tricare Prime, all doctor appointments are covered 100%, but you need a referral for every doctor visit. With Tricare Standard, you have a certain percentage you pay in copays (usually 20% of the visit) but you do not need a referral to most doctors.
You cannot get Tricare Prime in this area. Greenville is too far away from a military base. If you were eligible for Tricare Prime, all doctor appointments are covered 100%, but you need a referral for every doctor visit. With Tricare Standard, you have a certain percentage you pay in copays (usually 20% of the visit) but you do not need a referral to most doctors.
Unless your active duty, there are co-pays involved with Tricare Prime:
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