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tricare vision

lifestooshort128lifestooshort128
in Military Families

Sorry, another tricare question!! But this time I have already gone to their website and just don't understand it.  I plan on going to the office sometime this week to verify, but figured I'd ask you girls until then!

I read that they will cover one eye exam/year, which is fine, but then they only cover glasses/contact lenses if you have certain eye problems and diseases, it seems like.  Is that true? 

Second question, is vision included in medical coverage, or do you need to set it up seperately like dental? I couldn't find that info anywhere on the website..

TIA!

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Re: tricare vision

  • bootsie08bootsie08

    You are correct.  You are covered for one eye exam per year under the basic Tricare plan. It's not separate like dental.  Glasses and contacts aren't covered for dependents for basic vision correction(glasses only are covered for active duty).  Usually the optometrist on base will be significantly cheaper than even 1-800-Contacts, etc. 

    If you have a medical condition affecting your eyes or a family history you can be seen more frequently by a specialist (not an optometrist) with a referral from your PCM.  My grandmother and father lost their eyesight to the same rare condition and I am covered for two visits per year with more allowed if the doctor has a concern.

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  • lifestooshort128lifestooshort128
    imagebootsie08:

    You are correct.  You are covered for one eye exam per year under the basic Tricare plan. It's not separate like dental.  Glasses and contacts aren't covered for dependents for basic vision correction(glasses only are covered for active duty).  Usually the optometrist on base will be significantly cheaper than even 1-800-Contacts, etc. 

    If you have a medical condition affecting your eyes or a family history you can be seen more frequently by a specialist (not an optometrist) with a referral from your PCM.  My grandmother and father lost their eyesight to the same rare condition and I am covered for two visits per year with more allowed if the doctor has a concern.

    Thanks so much!! That seems strange to me that they don't cover glasses at all for dependents, so I just wanted to double-check! Good to know that they're cheaper than even online, though! Do you call to medical line number to make an appointment, like you would your pcm?

    Thanks, again!

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  • lisa&andylisa&andy

    You just have to find a provider and make an appointment, the optomitrist (sp?) will file with Tricare. I use contacts and my regular exam was free, but I had to pay to be fitted for contacts which cost me $40+the contacts, I just went down to Walmart and did it there.

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  • lifestooshort128lifestooshort128
    imagelisa&andy:

    You just have to find a provider and make an appointment, the optomitrist (sp?) will file with Tricare. I use contacts and my regular exam was free, but I had to pay to be fitted for contacts which cost me $40+the contacts, I just went down to Walmart and did it there.

    The PP said the "optometrist on base" which made it seem like they have one on base I should make an appointment with. I have tricare prime, so I usually make my appointments on base, can you go to a civilian optometrist if you have tricare prime? I'm a little confused now... 

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  • jamie.reneejamie.renee
    In Germany I got my exams on base but here they told me to find a local provider that accepts Tricare.  I took my daughter to Walmart and will go soon for mine as well.  They (Walmart) told me for me it will be $35 for the exam since I want to have it include a contact fitting.  When I called the appointment line they said something about possibly being seen on base but active duty have priority so it could be awhile to get an appointment and I wouldn't be able to do a contact exam they said.  I thought it was pretty normal for glasses/contacts to not be covered.  
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  • bootsie08bootsie08
    imagelifestooshort128:
    imagelisa&andy:

    You just have to find a provider and make an appointment, the optomitrist (sp?) will file with Tricare. I use contacts and my regular exam was free, but I had to pay to be fitted for contacts which cost me $40+the contacts, I just went down to Walmart and did it there.

    The PP said the "optometrist on base" which made it seem like they have one on base I should make an appointment with. I have tricare prime, so I usually make my appointments on base, can you go to a civilian optometrist if you have tricare prime? I'm a little confused now... 

    Most bases have a civilian optometrist, usually located in or near the exchange.  Sometimes, the optometry clinic at the military treatment facility will see dependents, but active duty is usually the priority.  If they can't see you on base, you can use your Prime benefit with a civilian provider without additional cost or referral.

    https://nhcne.med.navy.mil/services/optometry.asp

     

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  • MrsP052909MrsP052909 member

    When I called Tricare and asked them they said they cover one exam per year. They also said they would not cover my glasses/contacts. Vision is included under your medical.

    Also i'm not sure which Tricare your on or if they do different coverage on different plans. I have prime.

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