Tricare Prime vs. Standard

tlalli7106

Sorry I don't know the answer to this question...but ever since DH and I got married, I've been on Tricare Prime. I was new to the military, so he enrolled me in DEERS and I got my ID. 

I've been hearing lots of stories about Tricare Standard and it seems as if a LOT of people have it instead of Prime. So my question is...what is the difference between the two and what are some of the pros/cons to each?

(So far the only difference I can see is that on Prime I never have to pay co-pays or fees and I have been able to choose each one of my doctors and none of them have been military!)

MrsPaschke52909

I started out on Prime and just recently had to switch to Standard. With Prime I saw a military dr on post and never had to pay a penny. Now that I've switched I pay 15% for dr's that are "in network" and 20% if they aren't. I can see whatever dr that I want and don't have to get referrels to see them. I would much rather have stuck with Prime but moved back home when DH deployed and was too far from a base to be seen by their dr's. I think that being on Prime is just easier because you don't have to worry about paying bills.

iluvmytxrgr

Our family was on Prime, but we switched to Standard because the doctors on post here are awful.  Like PP said, I pay a 15% co-pay and don't have to go through getting a referal to see a doctor.  I would much rather pay than have to deal with all the BS at Tuttle.

swrlygrl

I have been on prime. Since we got married about 2 years ago. I like it for the most part. The free bit is terrific! All of my soca were civilian until recently. I was "recalled" to balboa naval for my pregnancy because they have the room now. This happened to another wife at abot 12 weeks as well. I had to other pregnancies this year and was with a civilian ob for both of them and a genetic specialists all without issue. I feel it works exactly the same as any HMO. In some ways being at balboa is easy but there are some things that bug me but honestly I thought about switching but in the end feel it's better to stay. You can switch to standard but can not switch back fir a year. I wouldn't switch unless I really needed to see a specialists and it was life or death as I was explained you can see civilian doctors as long as they accept tricare and so far I haven't cone across any who don't you can call them and ask zillions of questions they are usually really helpful and informative

DuckLover

I'm on standard and I like that I don't have to see the crappy drs at pendleton.  I have had crappy service there and what sent me over the edge is when i was miscarrying they told me to wait because it wasn't an emergency.  I switched soon after that. 

swrlygrl

DuckLover:

I'm on standard and I like that I don't have to see the crappy drs at pendleton.  I have had crappy service there and what sent me over the edge is when i was miscarrying they told me to wait because it wasn't an emergency.  I switched soon after that. 

I noticed you used CD what kind were you happiests with and which did you try that sucked? Also what is the Sophie society?

DuckLover

swrlygrl:

DuckLover:

I'm on standard and I like that I don't have to see the crappy drs at pendleton.  I have had crappy service there and what sent me over the edge is when i was miscarrying they told me to wait because it wasn't an emergency.  I switched soon after that. 

I noticed you used CD what kind were you happiests with and which did you try that sucked? Also what is the Sophie society?

I LOVE fuzzi bunz OS.  I liked BG's when they fit Caidens thighs but then they got huge overnight so they left welts on his legs.  haha.  I use fishnoodles when we go out.  They are super trim and very absorrbent.  At home we use fitteds coverless or trifolded PF's.  Easy.

Sophie is a teether from france.  The best teether EVER.  BRU has them. I highly reccomend her. 

xoashleigh4ox

i have prime and see all of my doctors off base.. i just had to sign a paper saying i didn't want to be seen on base and they gave me a new a new pcm.