Tricare after medical retirement

ah64mechanic

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
I've finally gotten through the entire PEB process. In the end I received 30% from the Army and 90% from the VA.
Initially I was rated 20% Army. I filed an appeal and got the additional 10%. Mostly because I had the disability they missed and to ensure I get that good 'ol blue retirement care AND the INSURANCE!

I start my terminal leave on April 11th with a retirement date of 27May. I will be living with my Fiance doing nothing until the summer semester for school starts.

I have been crunching numbers on everything from my groceries to health insurance.
I've spent DAYS researching about insurance for myself and my kids and I am just getting confused.

So far what I do know:
-I ,as the service member, am entitled to Tricare For life. With Tricare for life, I am required to have Medicare Part B. This will cost me $134 per month. (Thats $1,608 a year and I know I would pay WAY more with a different insurance)
- On Tricare's website, it says that if I have both Tricare AND Medicare Part B I pay nothing. Which means I pay no medical expenses. Just a yearly premium.
- I also see that, for my kids, Tricare prime would cost me $460 per year as my enlistment date is prior to December of 2011.

Dental I know that I am on my own with. Do any of you use the Tricare Dental Program? If so, what are your thoughts.

TL;DR With PDRL I get Tricare for life and am required to pay the Medicare Part B premium. Do my children, who covered under Tricare Prime, incur the $460 premium?

Any information and clarification will be greatly appreciated!
 
Not sure where you were told you will take "Tricare for life". That doesn't apply to you.

You don't buy "B". You pay the $460 per year and it covers you and your dependents. period.

I use the dental. It's fine. I like my monthly dental premium and quarterly Tricare premiums coming out of my retiree pay and I never worry about it.
 
My uncle has used Tricare dental and it is working well till now. Along with that, he is using MapD medicare plan which fulfilling his rest of the requirements of drug coverage. I don't whether children are incurred for the premium of Tricare.
 
Tricare dental is finished in October you must enroll in VADIP which is available to all Veterans. They only benefit to being a retiree is Tricare, you can choose between select or prime. If you do not live next to a military installation you will most likely have select. That comes with an annual deductible but you choose your doctor which is awesome compared to being forced to see a PCM you do not like. Express Scripts is also cheap for prescriptions.
 
Tricare Dental is not finished in October. The plan will last through the rest of the calendar year and end on Dec. 31st.

The new plan rates will become available in October with an open enrollment period of Nov. 12 - Dec. 10th for the 2019 year plan.
 
Tricare Dental is not finished in October. The plan will last through the rest of the calendar year and end on Dec. 31st.

The new plan rates will become available in October with an open enrollment period of Nov. 12 - Dec. 10th for the 2019 year plan.

What are you doing playing word games? Tricare Retiree Dental Program is DONE! Delta dental still has the contract but with much cheaper rates NEW retirees should go ahead sign up for VADIP now. All retirees are required to sign up for VADIP during the end of year open enrollment for continued dental coverage for next year. And since you want to get technical Tricare has nothing to do with the program other than sharing its name Delta Dental is the provider.

I've already made the switch as a retiree the rates are already out now. Jeez.
 
Euphonix, you are correct. Rates will be comparable between the 2 once the FEDVIP rate is released in October.
 
I'm confused after reading this. I've just reached my retirement as well, TDRL. I was under the impression that I could select Tricare Prime or Standard if I wanted to, based on what worked for me. With that, the usual things like dental and spousal coverage would cost some money out of pocket. Am I on the right track?
 
ALL- a couple of things/ EINE PAAR VRAAG Stellen- after reading this post (web site still not working correctly for me, thanks patience) :

I have been crunching numbers on everything from my groceries to health insurance.
I've spent DAYS researching about insurance for myself and my kids and I am just getting confused.

All veterans can enroll in VADIP, but aren't retirees supposed to enroll in FEDVIP (Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program) in January 2019 to replace the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program?

https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/Dental/TRDP

https://tricare.benefeds.com/InfoPortal/indexAction

I agree AH64Mechanic about "difficulties" of a budget, especially with veterans/retirees supporting a family, and only "income" is US DVA/DOD- it can be exceedingly challenging to point sometimes must live relatives and rely on them for support, which does no good for "self-esteem," etc.... Additionally "insurance" for things not covered by US DVA/TRICARE is also especially challenging. Per Euphonix- quote above- I have and have utilized VADIP and spoken TRICARE about this and they- TRICARE- told me VADIP just as good, also few times utilized it- to really no avail on "bad-root canal's" had no issues with them- VADIP- paying etc.....

However, of more concern, and do not think younger "Wounded Warriors" think of this, as know I never really did until became "broke-???" is LONG-TERM CARE HEALTH INSURANCE!!!!

This Insurance covers Nursing Homes etc... howver in my case, and been told by things like "First Command," etc.. due to US DVA "beyond-absurd" medication profile I cannot get and, if live lond enough am "bound" for a "horrid" US DVA run "Nursing Facility," if can even get in- see"Secret data: Most VA nursing homes have more residents with bed sores, pain, than private facilities" By Donovan Slack, USA TODAY, and Andrea Estes, The Boston Globe Published 11:02 a.m. ET June 25, 2018 | Updated 6:09 p.m. ET June 25, 2018 at web address: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...-worse-than-private-sector-quality/726465002/ and other media sources...

So my question/ VRAAG is: Does anyone out ther know if a "PLAN" like US VADIP exists that "Wounded Warriors" can pay a "more than reasonable" rate for LONG TERM CARE HEALTH INSURANCE to "hopefully avoid" a US DVA or worse Nursing Home??????

Thanks ALL- hopefully someone can "assist" on this "question?"

Hopefully we all NEVER have to as the band "Metallica" sings at YouTube video "Metallica Ride The Lightning" courtesy YouTube Video web-address:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uebInqG1pJI
 
ALL- here is some of the “math” disabled veterans must do:

Per “Veterans Compensation Benefits Rate Tables - Effective 12/1/17” at US DVA web address: https://www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/resources_comp01.asp for example, a disabled veteran “irrespective” of former “military” rank and/or position is paid IAW the following “copied” table at 100% “disabled” rate:

(could not insert"table" due web-site access issues)

So as one can see at $3,350.87 a month for “Veteran with Two Parents and Child” a monthly budget would look something like the following for “living” expenses only given “rent-mortgagee” payment should not exceed 1/3-monthly income:

RENT/Mortgage: $1,300.00

Car Payment (generous): $350.00

Utilities- Power/Water/Sewer/Trash/Cable (TV-Internet)/Cell Phone: $500.00

Alimony (given US Military High Divorce Rate): $600.00

Additional Insurance (Life, VADIP, etc.…): $200.00

Groceries/Clothing Etc…: $500.000

Total Just The Basic’s of “modern” Life for a “TRULY 100% Disabled VET” : $3450.00 which is appx. 150-US Dollars above the total given these numbers reflect some “vets” bills, etc… I am aware of but will in fact vary due host of factors and just an example…. So really little to no “discretionary income” as in the “RED” already…..perhaps given above “generic” example:

Now if one compares the supposedly current “Military Pay Rates” from web-address : https://www.militaryfactory.com/military_pay_scale.aspMilitary Pay Scale 2018- Detailing the current United States armed forces pay scale rates for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard services” accessed 02 JULY 2018 one can see from “partially copied table” from above web-address below:

(could not insert "table" due web-site access issues)

(Above table copied from: https://www.militaryfactory.com/military_pay_scale.asp on 02 JULY 2018)

An E-4, which is an “enlisted member” and “fourth-level enlisted” and not an Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) only makes “$2,370.30” a month with 3-years of Service…. Which is even less than the above “budget” example for a “100%” disabled veteran paid at “$3,350.87-month,” but this “2,370.30” monthly “active” pay is supposedly offset by things like “provided housing,” medical care, and the BX/Commissary Systems, etc….

Ergo, when entering the “total-civilian” world “totally- disabled” it can in fact be a “significant” challenge for young service members, with a large family, who must now “pay” all “living-expenses” out of pocket….?????

(Of interest, per website: https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Employer=Veterans_Affairs_Hospital/SalaryAverage Veterans Affairs Hospital Salary” is “67k-Average Salary”…..)

Anyway, one can “clearly” see the “disparity” in pay scales which can in fact cause a whole host of issues for young “veterans” or “Wounded Warriors” and their families as well as for those at “echelons-above the normal/average” whom make these decisions….. (PS: I personally saw “very good” Senior NCO’s and Officers take “early” retirement etc.. due to “programs” like “Single Soldier Initiative” and other “programs” that placed “enlisted” soldiers, not NCO’s in better housing, situations, etc.. than NCO’s/officers themselves after 10-16(+/-_-years “honorable” service! Furthermore, there was a time when in US Army, one could not enlist if “married and with children!” One had to be an NCO- first- to be able to even reside “outside” the barracks. Oddly, was on a very long plane trip eons ago, with individuals supposedly “chartered” to “dissect” US Army “medical services” due to, IAW these “individuals” , “alleged abuse” of the “Active” military medical system by too many “dependents” over-whelming it …. Humph…Makes One think of a whole host of things perhaps?????)

Well-ALL-back to my original “VRAAG” does anyone know of an “affordable” LONG-TERM CARE INSURACE PROGRAM” disabled veterans can pay into like VADIP?????? If so would be much appreciated……????????

PS: As once again, per the band “Metallica” song at YouTube video “Metallica - Whiskey in the jar” who is the actual “highwayman?” For “Metallica - Whiskey in the jar” see YouTube video web-address:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIh3nO6-V_A


One other Note: If “disabled veterans” can “manage” to do it, they can as per some vets a few years ago in US DVA Gulf Coast VA System -MOPC (Mobile, AL)- earn up to 20(+/-)- thousand US Dollars in “travel-pay” alone that could “count” toward their annual “income” …..humph???????
 
ALL- thought would post here a couple of thoughts:
  • If having budgetary problems, say with US DVA compensation amounts, etc.… then might be helpful to post a “generic” sample of one’s budget accounting for “necessities” of life and “discretionary” income which is also “important” for quality of life and general “well-being!” This way it is clear as to what issues are and folks can in fact see “real” world issues…just a thought????
  • Congress, etc… set’s the level’s of US Veteran compensation and benefit entitlements…so with as much discourse as there is out there regarding this topic, does one not think that perhaps “real” world sample from “actual” US Military Veterans might not be more than helpful???? As last I knew, ALL Service Members were in fact required to pay into things like Social Security Disability, so why should not Veterans be “entitled to” if warranted as opposed to those that have “perhaps” whom have not??? Lot in various media sources about members of Congress wanting to do away with this benefit to US “veterans” as well as lot of other benefits US Veterans have to fight tooth and nail for years and decades to simply ever- MAYBE realize in “Reality!?!?!”””
Any-hoo- simply my two cent’s worth “being” the “Pin-Head” I am as per Adam Smith’s “Wealth of Nations!

I would recommend the below PEB Forum posts for some “clarification” on various issues Veteran’s face this regard among “countless” other things such as their “descendants” and-or family members:

“VA Award Letter Question: (Forums Medical Evaluation Board Medical Evaluation Board ) at web-address: http://pebforum.com/threads/va-award-letter-question.41034/

“Receiving a Service Dog” (Forums Resources and Files General Military Resources) at web-address: http://pebforum.com/threads/receiving-a-service-dog.25947/#post-206593

“Resource Vietnam Vet's -"The US Army in Vietnam" -"The Bud Harton Collection at the Texas Tech Virtual Vietnam Archive"-Perhaps????” (Forums Resources and Files General Military Resources ) at web-address: http://pebforum.com/threads/resourc...al-vietnam-archive-perhaps.44432/#post-204244

“WRIISC Washington DC-FYI-Warning Proceed With Caution!” (Forums Transition Forum: Veterans Affairs and SSDI Veterans Affairs, SSDI, and other Benefits ) at web-address: http://pebforum.com/threads/wriisc-washington-dc-fyi-warning-proceed-with-caution.30283/

“Express Scripts Issue's Fexofinidene (allegria) -All Vet's Retirees Out There-Question?????” (Forums Resources and Files Department of Defense Regulations ) at web-address: http://pebforum.com/threads/express...a-all-vets-retirees-out-there-question.42879/

Would also recommend following web-links:

Transparency and Corruption: Does E-Government Help?” By Subhash Bhatnagar (Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad 380015) at web-address: http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/unpan/unpan035963.pdf (see attached file “unpan035963.pdf” from web-address)

Political Corruption” from ScienceDaily.com at web-address: https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/political_corruption.htm

Thanks-ALL- and once again sincerely hope this assist’s at least one veteran out there…?????

PS: Maybe the band “The Ramones” had it right all along in their song “Pinhead” at YouTube video “The Ramones – Pinhead” courtesy YouTube video at YouTube web-address:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BBfybCPkjA



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All still having issue this website- anyone else?

 

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All veterans can enroll in VADIP, but aren't retirees supposed to enroll in FEDVIP (Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program) in January 2019 to replace the TRICARE Retiree Dental Program?

https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/Dental/TRDP

https://tricare.benefeds.com/InfoPortal/indexAction

Where are you gonna find better rates than VADIP? I pay 40 monthly for 3k of dental work that blows TRDP employer-sponsored Metlife, and Aetna out the water. Even USAA has amazing coverage for like 15 bucks I cant see FEDVIP really outshining everyone here.
 
Where are you gonna find better rates than VADIP? I pay 40 monthly for 3k of dental work that blows TRDP employer-sponsored Metlife, and Aetna out the water. Even USAA has amazing coverage for like 15 bucks I cant see FEDVIP really outshining everyone here.
I know this thread is a month old at this point but I just wanted to follow up now that FEDVIP rates are available. In Las Vegas, the rates are absolutely comparable to VADIP. The lowest plan is $21.47 per month for an individual and the most expensive plan is $53.95 per month for an individual. Of course family rates are more expensive.
 

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I don't see the point in Tricare dental, honestly. You end up overpaying a lot anyway. Whenever I need serious dental care, I just fly to Europe. Dental services are way cheaper there. My calculations included flights, housing, and a little tourism, but I still paid less than I would have in the US. I think the only dental insurance worth paying for in the states is the one provided at senior living houses. I have never understood why dental is so expensive.
 
I don't see the point in Tricare dental, honestly. You end up overpaying a lot anyway. Whenever I need serious dental care, I just fly to Europe. Dental services are way cheaper there. My calculations included flights, housing, and a little tourism, but I still paid less than I would have in the US. I think the only dental insurance worth paying for in the states is the one provided at senior living houses. I have never understood why dental is so expensive.

I don't know about taking a trip to Europe being cheaper unless you need major surgery, otherwise I still stand by my assessment that FEDVIP isn't comparable to other employee provided insurance.
 
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