Military couple moving to NOVA - need help on inside beltway neighborhoods

[slduvall]

Originally Posted by sheepish_lion21

This would allow a dependent (not active duty personnel) to see a private doctor: US Family Health Plan | Military.com

Also, Tricare Standard would allow it too. Both programs do require some out of pocket cost, though, vs free service at the MTF.
TRICARE Plans - TRICARE Standard and Extra

This is all true in policy, but in practice you wil find that with so many tricare users in the area that some drs might not take you. They just can't afford to. Those that will may not be the best. It might take you a bit to find a dr you like. And as Artsy says, this area is unlike any other military area you might have lived. And that is 29 years and 16 locations talking. And it also has very good medical centers, unlike some other locations.

That said you might not have any problems at all, and could be very happy with your first choice for care.

[Catamounts]

Re: doctors
Of all the places we have been stationed, this is by far the best experience when it comes to military doctors. I had appointments in both Bethesda and Belvoir and the standard of care impressed me. And I'm usually the one to bash military doctors... But in the end it's your choice.

[shamrock847]

I'd figure out where to live and then worry about the TRICARE thing.

Just because you live close to a MTF (e.g. Belvoir) it doesn't mean you will be assigned there if you are on TRICARE Prime. And there are a lot of areas in the region which are not even close to a MTF.

If going to the MTF is going to take a significant amount of driving time, then I'd think going on TRICARE Standard or USFHP and having more civilian options closer to where you live would be the way to go. If the assigned MTF is more convenient to where you live, then I'd go with PRIME. As with many things in NOVA, it really is all about the commute.

Note:
MTF= Military Treatment Facility (base clinic/hospital)

[sheepish_lion21]

Originally Posted by shamrock847

I'd figure out where to live and then worry about the TRICARE thing.

Just because you live close to a MTF (e.g. Belvoir) it doesn't mean you will be assigned there if you are on TRICARE Prime. And there are a lot of areas in the region which are not even close to a MTF.

If going to the MTF is going to take a significant amount of driving time, then I'd think going on TRICARE Standard or USFHP and having more civilian options closer to where you live would be the way to go. If the assigned MTF is more convenient to where you live, then I'd go with PRIME. As with many things in NOVA, it really is all about the commute.

Fully agree about worrying about the TRICARE thing once we know where we are living and can't agree more that it really is all about the commute. Left DC 8 years ago and thought we'd never be back. Hated the traffic then and I'm sure its only gotten worse.

Hopefully in a week to 10 days we will have a rental lined up and can start figuring out other things.