CHAMP VA and TRICARE Eligible Confusion!

[Navy757]

So I just recently retired and trying to sort out me medical stuff. Trying to get prescriptions refilled, see doctors and pick a plan.

I did over 20 yrs on active duty, found unfit, medically retired honorably.

So I thought my family and I could be on Tricare. But...

I called Tricare to see if I could get my old PCM to fill a prescription, they told me about TAMP and to call DEERS, so I called DEERS, gave blocks like 24 and 26 off my DD214, and the gentlemen told me that I am NOT eligible for Tricare. I did just get back my finalized ratings and it says 100% P&T from the VA. I told the gentlemen that I did over 20 yrs of service and he told me that it doesn't matter, that if I want to fill my prescriptions I need to go to the VA. Is this right? can somebody help with an actual instruction.

I did find this on the CHAMP website:

"CHAMPVA - Community Care
Due to the similarity between CHAMPVA and the Department of Defense (DoD) TRICARE program (sometimes referred to by its old name, CHAMPUS), the two are often mistaken for each other. CHAMPVA is a Department of Veterans Affairs program while TRICARE is a regionally managed health care program for active duty and retired members of the uniformed services, their families, and survivors. In some cases, a Veteran may appear to be eligible for both or either program on paper; however, if you are a military retiree, or the spouse of a Veteran who was killed in action, you are and will always be a TRICARE beneficiary and cannot choose between the two programs."

I know that my reading comprehension is not as strong as it used to be, but the way I read this I should be eligible for Tricare, and would think TAMP. Any help would be great, thanks in advance.

 

[Bosanceros]

Not sure if I am allowed to post outside sources but ill try it. based on the link below, it may take some time for the DEERs office to reflect your retirement. I would look through the link below and try reaching out again. As always, someone can correct me if need be.

Continuing TRICARE Health Coverage after Retirement | TRICARE

When you retire from active duty or turn age 60 as a retired reserve member, your TRICARE coverage changes. After either of these Qualifying Life Events (QLEs), you must take action and enroll in a TRICARE retiree health plan so that you and your family members don’t have a gap in your TRICARE...

www.tricare.mil

 

[Navy757]

Not sure if I am allowed to post outside sources but ill try it. based on the link below, it may take some time for the DEERs office to reflect your retirement. I would look through the link below and try reaching out again. As always, someone can correct me if need be.

Continuing TRICARE Health Coverage after Retirement | TRICARE

When you retire from active duty or turn age 60 as a retired reserve member, your TRICARE coverage changes. After either of these Qualifying Life Events (QLEs), you must take action and enroll in a TRICARE retiree health plan so that you and your family members don’t have a gap in your TRICARE...

www.tricare.mil

Bosanceros,

Thanks for the link, that is more or less how I thought it worked, doesn't mention anything about CHAMP VA. I have only been retired for about 3 weeks and have my new retired I.D. card. So I am still at a loss why the rep. would say that I am not eligible for Tricare. I think I am just going to call back and see if someone else say something different. I have over 20 yrs of avtive duty time, still with in the the 90 day window and DEERs should have been updated when I got my new I.D. card. In the mean time, I just need to get medications refills.

 

[chaplaincharlie]

If you are medically retired or retired based on years you are eligible for TriCare. Look at the back of your DoD ID card. Find the word "medical," under that should be the word yes. IF it is not yes the people that issued you your id made a mistake. If it is yes, the person you talk to made a mistake.

 

[Navy757]

Called back to DEERS, the first person gave me incorrect information. Yes I am eligible for Tricare and have to pick a plan with in 90 days until than I am in a status called Direct Status and can only be seen at MTS's. Thanks you for responding.