How do we get on Tricare?

[peggyfromwastate]

Hello- My husband is in San Antonio now (has been since June 15) and he's considered TDY active duty. So we thought that the kids and I would be covered through Tricare starting when he got down there. He's read ahead in his reading material (what a geek ) and he came across a form that said for the spouse to be signed up for tricare I had to have my military badge which I have to get here where I live, actually about 30 miles away from where I live is the closest Army place--not a base, just a training center), and then when I get my badge, I have to fill out another form requesting health care. This form has to be submitted before the 21st of the month in order to have coverage starting the 1st of the next month. Of course, my husband didn't even get HIS miltiary id badge until the 20th. There are several other students at the OBC who still have to go to the office to get their badges, b/c the office where they issue them is so backed up and the guys are in classes and what not, and don't have a lot of free time to go wait in line. So basically there was no possible way for me to get my id badge before the 20th. Does this mean that I'm not covered next month? I thought that while he was active duty I was covered, but I don't have any forms or anything to show a medical person should I need it. Oh well. I'll just probably use free health care from my dear ol' dad if I need anything b/c we are in no position to buy health care coverage for me...

The journey into military paperwork confusion begins...

[mommax3]

You will have to enroll yourself and your kids into Tri-Care. Your kids will not need ids, but you will, and I think you may need your kids' birth certificates. You will then get a little Tri-Care card that will be your entry into the system. They used to make them like credit cards, but now they are made of paper (at least our youngest's was) so they are harder to keep "nice". You will also need to (at your first pediatric visit) bring your kids' shot records and get them transferred onto a military shot record, which you should always have with you anytime you take them in.

Your husband should be able to get a little more information for you regarding enrolling into Tricare as his course progresses and he talks to more people.

Hope this helps.

Sally

[peggyfromwastate]

Thanks Sally- do you know if I am covered now even though I don't have my card or id? If something were to happen and I don't have the Tricare card, would I be able to get reimbursed for any medical expenses that I pay?

[mommax3]

Peggy -- I don't know the answer to that, but I will ask my husband when he gets home. I *think* you have to be enrolled, though, because there are different plans within Tricare, so one size doesn't fit all, if you know what I mean. I will get back to you.

Sally

[Rapunzel]

Peggy, from what I understand you are not eligible for any Tricare reimbursements until you are enrolled in DEERS and then in the Tricare program. Until then it is my understanding that you are on your own (that is until the start-up date for Tricare begins).

Jennifer

[peggyfromwastate]

Well, my husband talked to the Tricare people today. He was at BAMC listening to some presentations, and they had a 15 minute break so he took advantage of it. That's the kind of brainstorm I was hoping he'd have! A Tricare rep was supposed to give a 2-hr presentation to all the people at the first day of inprocessing at OBC, but for some reason they didn't, and nobody told the students that they were missing out on that briefing. Basically, the person that DH talked with today told him that as of 15 June (first day of OBC), my husband, me, and our kids are all enrolled in the Basic Tricare program, even though I don't have an id, and I don't have a card or any of that stuff. Once I get my card, I can sign up for Tricare Prime. But at least we appear to all be covered, so I don't have to scramble for some catastrophe insurance!!! I hope this is truly how it is-- and I hope I don't get sick or anything and have to find out the hard way that my husband was misinformed. I just have to trust the information that he was told, I guess!

[DCJenn]

Peggy-

I actually think (for once) that you got correct information- according to the people we spoke with in the beginning- when we got married I was automatically covered for basic and then when we in-processed at Ft. Sam, I got my Spouse ID and shortly thereafter was sent a package from Tricare delineating all of the benefits and details.

The reason for the delay with their ID badges at Ft. Sam is that they're issuing the new version of the ID with the new magnetic strip that has additional information about them in it. They started off doing only those people being sent overseas and then back filled all of the Active Duty people and then now are doing everyone else, plus all of the incoming people.

Jenn

[peggyfromwastate]

Thanks Jenn- Has this restored your faith in the military! To get correct information! Anyway, the new id badges do look cool. I got to see my husband's this past weekend when we met up with him over the holiday. I still have to get mine, though. Borders is having a promotion of 20% off everything for military personnel- so I'm gonna go tomorrow and try to get my badge so that I can take advantage of that promotion!