Since 04-07-05
How Tricare For Life works
Since 04-07-05
From:
Waspscpo@aol.com [mailto:Waspscpo@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2005 1:08 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients
Subject: How Tricare For Life works
http://www2.townonline.com/norwell/opinion/view.bg?articleid=218506
Column: How Tricare For Life
works
By Veterans Corner
Thursday, April 7, 2005
Some of you are still not familiar with Tricare for Life, (TFL). Tricare for
Life should not be confused with Tricare Prime, Tricare Standard or Tricare
Extra. It is a separate healthcare program for military retirees, age 65 and
over.
We have new people coming in to the Tricare for Life (TFL) program every
time one of our warriors or their spouse or survivor becomes Medicare eligible.
TRICARE For Life works with Medicare. When you receive medical care from a
Medicare-authorized provider, your provider files the claim with Medicare.
Medicare then processes the claim and forwards the claim to TRICARE for payment
of the remaining amount. TRICARE automatically sends payment to your provider.
You receive an explanation of benefits from TRICARE indicating the amount
Medicare and TRICARE paid. (note: you must be paying Medicare 'B'
and properly enrolled with DEERS
TRICARE and Medicare Covered Services
In most cases, Medicare pays first and TRICARE pays its share of the
remaining expenses, second.
Services Covered by TRICARE, but not Medicare.
TRICARE is the only payer and you are responsible for TRICARE deductibles
and cost-shares.
Services Covered by Medicare, but not TRICARE
Medicare is the only payer and you are responsible for Medicare cost-share.
TRICARE For Life is a permanent program, congress need not renew it each
year!
There is no fee for TRICARE For Life but you are responsible for Medicare
part 'B' premiums.
You may begin using TRICARE For Life on the day of your 65th birthday, as
long as you are entitled to Medicare Part 'A', and enrolled in Medicare part 'B'
and registered in DEERS.
If you are thinking about dropping your other Medigap insurance I suggest
that you carefully evaluate your health insurance needs. It is possible that if
you drop your other insurance you may not be able to return to the plan later or
return with the same low premium. Maybe suspend not drop.
If you suspend or drop your other insurance you need to update TRICARE
For Life at 1-866-773-0404
If you keep your other insurance TRICARE For Life becomes the third payer after
Medicare and your other health insurance pays. You will need to send the unpaid
balance of the bills to TRICARE For Life and request payment, it is not
automatic.
You can continue to seek care at a MTF under TRICARE For Life on a
space-available basis. You may also enroll in TRICARE Plus at a local MTF if
enrollment is available. Call your local MTF for more information.
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Contributed,
YNCS Don Harribine, USN(ret)