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Using Tricare Prime in Hampton Roads area

bootsandheelsbootsandheels
in Military Families
I'm in the middle of my first trimester (1st preg) and debating whether to stick with Prime and go with the MTF's and Portsmouth NH or go with Standard so I can pick my own doctor. A lot of women here go with Standard as they can't stand Portsmouth (parking, tunnel traffic)  and don't like that they have to see whoever is available. Anyone have experience with Prime or Standard here?  
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Re: Using Tricare Prime in Hampton Roads area

  • NeverLostHopeNeverLostHope
    I went Standard because I was going to get stuck at Langley if I stayed Prime. I had a m/c last year and had a horrific experience with Langley and there was NO WAY I was going back there. If Portsmouth was closer, we MIGHT have stayed Prime, but to me, civilian care and being able to choose was worth switching to me. 
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  • shall923shall923 member
    I switched to Standard because of the Hampton roads area. It was a huge pain in the butt. That was 4 years ago and I still have standard. I love it.
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  • anao2020anao2020 member
    Hi, mostly a lurker on this board. I was wondering about Langley, personally. I've heard less than wonderful reviews about Portsmouth, only a few things here and there about Langley, though. Almost everyone I know is switching/will switch to Standard solely for pregnancy.
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  • arcook0307arcook0307 member
    I had a huge ordeal with Tricare over the summer.  We were in Elizabeth City last year when I found out I was pregnant and we were assigned a civilian OB.  I guess I just assumed when we moved to Chesapeake,  and I needed a new OB that I would also choose.  Nope.  They wanted me to go to Portsmouth because they said it wasn't full.  I was a total newbie to it all so...   I read one too many horror stories and got freaked out.  Now I know people will write/talk about the negative before the positives but the thing that stuck out to me over and over was the fact that you don't really seem to see the same doctor often enough during your prenatal care to become familiar with them, a doc you've never met may be the one to deliver your baby, and the supposed lack of knowledge and courtesy of the hospital staff at Portsmouth.  It would depend on how much the potential of these things happening bother you.  For me, I was afraid and being away from my family for my first baby, not to mention the traffic/tunnel, etc. and that was enough for me to switch to Standard.  I now go to Depaul in Norfolk and see the midwives.  They try to rotate you through all the staff so that you are familiar with each doctor/midwife before giving birth.  I've heard that for some people that choose to go ahead with birth at Portsmouth that it was a huge help to have a doula as an advocate.  They run around $450-$600 and the ones I've talked to have said they had good experiences at Portsmouth.  I personally think a doula as an advocate keeps staff on their toes a little more and provides mom with a little extra comfort security....but that's just my opinion. :)
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  • norcalgirl27norcalgirl27
    I'm in VA Beach and I have standard and couldn't be happier. I have a great OB in Chesapeake. So happy we didn't go with prime 
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