tricare?

hesherhero · August 2010

When my husband and I went and got my ID card we asked about how we get me on tricare and the lady said that once I was added to DEERS that I would also be on tricare. Well we didn't even think to ask about if I would need a tricare card or not. This is probably a stupid question, but am I supposed to get a card from them or does my Military ID count as my card? My husband has no idea and I used to be on tricare prime with my dad and I had a card. Asked him and he said he is not sure if active duty is the same as retired and if I need a card or not. Just thought I would ask here before I call tricare and seem like a total idiot.

Thank you!

car012906 · August 2010

dont worry about talking to tricare theyre really nice

its especially helpful now that they have a chat on their website rather than calling and pressing a bunch of numbers to get to the right representative. but if youre standard they dont send you an insurance card you just use your military id. if youre prime they should mail you one and you have to show that and your military id when you go into the doctors. they forgot to mail mine so i contacted them via chat and i got it in the mail 2 days later

SheilaE · August 2010

When you were put into DEERS you are automatically signed up for Tricare Standard. If you want Tricare Prime you need to sign up for that. You can go into the Tricare office at your base and do that. Don't forget to sign up for dental.

https://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/Forms.do

You might find that link useful.

Jessalicious01 · August 2010

SheilaE:
When you were put into DEERS you are automatically signed up for Tricare Standard. If you want Tricare Prime you need to sign up for that. You can go into the Tricare office at your base and do that. Don't forget to sign up for dental.
https://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/Forms.do
You might find that link useful.

Hmmm, I thought it was the opposite, did that change? When DH enrolled me in Deers 4 yrs ago I was automatically enrolled in prime and if I wanted standard I would have had to go to the office to sign the form to switch.

mrsbliven · August 2010

nope. tricare standard (the one where you pay a co-pay and deductible) is automatic and you just use your ID. Prime requires filling out the paperwork, which is on their website, and mailing it in. Get it in by the 20th of one month and you will be on by the 20th of the next month. they will send you a card in the mail.

whatever496 · August 2010

Maybe it works differently for different places because both my daughter and I were automatically enrolled in prime once we enrolled in deers. Once We enrolled in deers we went to the MTF and went to the tricare center, filled out the info and we were good to go!! Maybe try that route and see how far it gets you- worst case you get there and they can tell you what you need to do, regardless you have to go anyways and you may end up like us and not have to go through what others have.

krista613 · August 2010

yeah you are automatically enrolled in prime. because its the one on post and therefore the cheapest option for them. you have to unenroll yourself from prime if you want standard. with prime they mail you a little card that i never had to use.

at least thats how mine worked.

Ilumine · August 2010

First - your Military ID card acts as your insurance card.

Second - you only automatically have TRICARE Standard when you are entered into DEERS. To have 'full' access to the MTF (military hospital), you will need to enroll in TRICARE Prime.

Prime is the military's HMO style program, where you will have a Primary Care Manager (PCM), who will then refer you for any specialty care (other than your yearly girly or vision exams). Until you are retired, generally, there are no premiums or co-pays even when you use a civilian provider in the network.

Standard is similar to a PPO. You will have to pay a cost-share or 15% (if you use a network provider) or 20% if you use an authorized provider. There is a CAT CAP of $1000 ($3000 for retirees) a fiscal year.

Your DH can enroll you in Prime at the TRICARE Service Center.

SheilaE · August 2010

Here is the Tricare information page.

https://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/NewToTricare.jsp

This is from that link.

3. Decide and Enroll

Not all TRICARE plans require you to enroll to participate. If you are using the following health plan options, coverage is automatic as long as you are registered in the DEERS.

TRICARE Standard and Extra
TRICARE Standard Overseas
TRICARE For Life (you must have Medicare Part A &

The following options require you to enroll or purchase the plan to participate. Click on the links below to find out how:

leslie13510 · August 2010

I have never heard of automatically being enrolled in Prime just by signing up in DEERS. For Standard all you do is have your sponsor enroll you in DEERS, and you use your military ID as your insurance card. To be enrolled in Prime you have to go through Tricare. Also be aware with Prime, that you don't get to use the benefits the day you sign the paperwork. I think new enrollment benefits start on the 1st of the month (or they did when I signed up), and the date that you sign up will determine which 1st of the month your benefits will start. If you sign up the first half of the month, your benefits should start the 1st of the next month. If you sign up the second half of the month it will probably be the 1st of the month after (so up to 45 days more or less) before your benefits start. You will be able to use Tricare Standard until that time though so it's not like you're not covered or anything.

2xSurvivor · August 2010

You will receive a card in the mail but I have yet to use it. Your military ID will suffice.

Jessalicious01 · August 2010

krista613:
yeah you are automatically enrolled in prime. because its the one on post and therefore the cheapest option for them. you have to unenroll yourself from prime if you want standard. with prime they mail you a little card that i never had to use.
at least thats how mine worked.

Must be Ft. Lewis, that's where I was enrolled in Deers and we never filled out paperwork for prime. Weird how it can be so different everywhere.

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