I know I'm being a total brat about this (vent)

caityxsweetie · November 2011

But the more I think about it the more frustrated I get.

With my military insurance since I live .05 miles from base I'm restricted from going to the doctor anywhere else and have to go to the on base medical clinic. When I went in to confirm my pregnancy they obviously said yes your pregnant. I was then thinking I get to set up on appointment to see an OB.....not. They said "you have to take a 4 hour class before you are assigned to an OB. You're set up to take the class on December 6th at 7:00am." I got really frustrated at that point. Partly because I was already irritated with the lack of kindness and bedside manner these people that work at on base clinics have, and partly because I wasn't getting an explination as to what this class was even for and why I was having to take it at 9 weeks from the rude attitude lady that set up my appointment. So I asked her "what is the class?" and she said with her bad attitude "it's a class with other pregnant women where you fill out all your paperwork and do blood work and stuff like that." And stuff like that? What and stuff like that? And why does this take FOUR HOURS?! Uhm, maybe I'm just a personal bubble person but this seems really weird to me and impersonal and also inconvenient to me. You're saying I have to sit in a room for 4 hours because I have to wait for all these other women to fill out paperwork and get their blood taken to? What the...seriously? This still seems SO dumb to me, and I'm still mad I have to do it. I'm probably just being a big brat, but I don't care. I hate on base clinics. >:|

inHindsight · November 2011

So much for freedom...

eta: you're totally not being a brat about this

EmmaRJ · November 2011

FWIW, I'd be mad too. Maybe the class thing wouldn't bother me so much, but the attitude you got would definitely infuriate me.

shrtfrkgrl · November 2011

I would be pissed. No you aren't being a total brat. Those other pregnant women probably aren't happy either. Honestly, when you are pregnant and want to schedule your first appointment you rather be alone/with husband/significant other not in a room full of other pregnant women. It probably takes four hours because of all the work they are trying to do with the other women.

caityxsweetie · November 2011

EmmaRJ:
FWIW, I'd be mad too. Maybe the class thing wouldn't bother me so much, but the attitude you got would definitely infuriate me.

You know, I probably wouldn't be so upset about this if it hadn't been for the terrible treatment I've recieved from these people at this base clinic. My husband and I were talking about it, and he kept saying sorry you have to go through this, because he knows how terrible on base clinics are. These people that work there are in the military, and know they have a job there no matter what, so they don't care at all about you. They give you the run around like no other, and if you ask a quuestion to the wrong department (like if you're lost and trying to find out where you really need to be to get something done) they just look at you like a stupid idiot and give you huge attitude and basically tell you "well you can go to this place, I don't know if it's the right one, but you can try". It makes me SO mad! The lady that gave me the attitude has now given me attitude three times. I told my husband if when I go in on Dec 6th I get attitude from her, I'm jumping over the counter, I'm so serious!

Samiantha101 · November 2011

I shudder at the thought of having to deal with military medical facilities. I'm going to keep the baby on my insurance as long as possible, but the baby's father will PCS next year, and I will follow but doubtfully with insurance. From everything I've heard, military facilities are not much fun to deal with. The bf states every time he goes, he feels like a welfare patient. We were contemplating getting married, so I could give birth for no cost, but the hospital is notoriously horrible. We both decided the keep the baby under my insurance as long as possible, despite the extra cost.

caityxsweetie · November 2011

shrtfrkgrl:
I would be pissed. No you aren't being a total brat. Those other pregnant women probably aren't happy either. Honestly, when you are pregnant and want to schedule your first appointment you rather be alone/with husband/significant other not in a room full of other pregnant women. It probably takes four hours because of all the work they are trying to do with the other women.

Exactly! I want to be alone. I'm pregnant, this is personal. My body, my space, my health. Grrrrrrrr!

caityxsweetie · November 2011

Samiantha101:

I shudder at the thought of having to deal with military medical facilities. I'm going to keep the baby on my insurance as long as possible, but the baby's father will PCS next year, and I will follow but doubtfully with insurance. From everything I've heard, military facilities are not much fun to deal with. The bf states every time he goes, he feels like a welfare patient. We were contemplating getting married, so I could give birth for no cost, but the hospital is notoriously horrible. We both decided the keep the baby under my insurance as long as possible, despite the extra cost.

PLEASE keep your insurance as long as possible. It IS horrible dealing with military medical facilities. I so wish I could go see a different doctor, or have my own insurance to see who I want to see.

And it is WAY worse for active military members than a civilian going in there. For active they have a "sick call" line. If you're sick you have to go sit in that line FOREVER and when they finally call you back they barely take time or interest in what's wrong with them and then give them tylenol. You'd think they would take better care of our soldiers. They are keeping us free for God sake!

cmchristian · November 2011

I think it is funny how different branches do things. I had to make an appointment just to fill paperwork out and get blood drawn, but the group thing is an option for us. I didn't want it. I did have to do a class on the genetic testing. I'm glad they had that. Hope things get better for you.

caityxsweetie · November 2011

cmchristian:
I think it is funny how different branches do things. I had to make an appointment just to fill paperwork out and get blood drawn, but the group thing is an option for us. I didn't want it. I did have to do a class on the genetic testing. I'm glad they had that. Hope things get better for you.

I would love to have the option. But nope, not in the Navy. "Hurry and Wait" Navy's slogan!

allisonmarie22 · November 2011

If you don't like the absolutely free medical insurance you are getting through the Navy you could always go out and purchase your own policy OR get health insurance through your job (assuming you're a civilian).

I pay over $400 a month for my basic medical care. If I had free healthcare I certainly wouldn't be complaining, but that's just me.

caityxsweetie · November 2011

allisonmarie22:

If you don't like the absolutely free medical insurance you are getting through the Navy you could always go out and purchase your own policy OR get health insurance through your job (assuming you're a civilian).

I pay over $400 a month for my basic medical care. If I had free healthcare I certainly wouldn't be complaining, but that's just me.

I did say I know I'm being a brat, but it's still frustrating. And I always thought the same thing, until how I've been treated the last year by military medical clinics. Trust me, if you were treated half the way I've been treated by these people you would complain. It's not bad when you live far enough away from base and get to choose a real doctor. It's just on base clinics, the ones that should be thanking me for what I'm giving up to come to their lousy on base clinic.

EmmaRJ · November 2011

allisonmarie22:
If you don't like the absolutely free medical insurance you are getting through the Navy you could always go out and purchase your own policy OR get health insurance through your job (assuming you're a civilian).
I pay over $400 a month for my basic medical care. If I had free healthcare I certainly wouldn't be complaining, but that's just me.

I don't think getting something for "free" (her husband is afterall providing a very essential service to his country in exchange...) somehow makes it okay for staff to treat her like a cow in a milking parlor...

Samiantha101 · November 2011

I wouldn't go so far and say that it is "absolutely free" health insurance. It's one of the benefits her husband receives for serving in the military.

caityxsweetie · November 2011

I'd be happy to pay $1000 a month for health insurance if that meant I could take my husband back from the military, be able to have him here for the birth of our first child, and have him here the first 6 months of our childs life he will miss. It's the many things I give up for the "free, treat me like a piece of crap" insurance I get.

adreajoy · November 2011

If you don't like the absolutely free medical insurance you are getting through the Navy you could always go out and purchase your own policy OR get health insurance through your job (assuming you're a civilian).

Actually, we do have a co-pay for military insurance for dependants- and a monthly fee that is directly taken out of the military paycheck. Considering my husband is gone for at least 6 months out of every year, and with frequent PCS-ing, even with a college degree finding a job that offers our own insurance can be difficult.

Original poster:: If you have Tricare Prime you can be seen offbase, but the copay is a little more. Called your Tricare Regional Provider. As for the class, it's actually really great. They give you a booklet with all of the pertinent information you need throughout your pregnancy, start tracking your weight gain and progress, and they have you fill out all of the paperwork you'll need for the length of your pregnancy, including labor and delivery so that you don't have to do it WHILE you're in labor . They also will show you a video or two and give you all of the information you need about child birth classes, finance classes, and infant cpr classes in your area/ any that are offered at a discount to military families, etc.

I know that military clinics can be a little insensitive, but try to be positive and kill them with kindness---- that's my best medicine to make me feel better when dealing with rude/crappy attitudes.

Amaristella · November 2011

I don't normally post here, but I really wanted to chime in and say that not every Navy MTF is like that. I'm angered just from seeing what they said, let alone how they said it. What about patient privacy? What if you're not ready to share your pregnancy with others yet, and somebody that you just happen to know is in that group?

If you can, I really urge you to get a hold of a patient/Tricare advocate and voice your concerns. I can't promise that they'll change anything that they've already said, but you don't deserve to be treated that way.

caityxsweetie · November 2011

adreajoy:

If you don't like the absolutely free medical insurance you are getting through the Navy you could always go out and purchase your own policy OR get health insurance through your job (assuming you're a civilian).

Actually, we do have a co-pay for military insurance for dependants- and a monthly fee that is directly taken out of the military paycheck. Considering my husband is gone for at least 6 months out of every year, and with frequent PCS-ing, even with a college degree finding a job that offers our own insurance can be difficult.

Original poster:: If you have Tricare Prime you can be seen offbase, but the copay is a little more. Called your Tricare Regional Provider. As for the class, it's actually really great. They give you a booklet with all of the pertinent information you need throughout your pregnancy, start tracking your weight gain and progress, and they have you fill out all of the paperwork you'll need for the length of your pregnancy, including labor and delivery so that you don't have to do it WHILE you're in labor . They also will show you a video or two and give you all of the information you need about child birth classes, finance classes, and infant cpr classes in your area/ any that are offered at a discount to military families, etc.

I know that military clinics can be a little insensitive, but try to be positive and kill them with kindness---- that's my best medicine to make me feel better when dealing with rude/crappy attitudes.

Hey, thanks for explaining the class a little more to me! That is info I didn't get at all from the devil lady!

They are very insensitive. I'm frustrated they didn't even give me a doctor to confine in if I have a small problem. I asked the doctor I saw that confirmed my pregnancy if I had a problem what to do, and she said "just go to the ER". Those are the things that frustrate me and make me feel alone in my pregnancy doctor wise.

adreajoy · November 2011

No problem! I would try making friends with a nurse/ assistant your first couple visits and asking them if it would be okay to call THEM with questions--- most of the time they can answer whatever you need and don't take as long to get in touch with as a doc.

I'm in Guam and making friends with the clinic people (even the ones who started out snotty) has really helped me ease through this pregnancy so far.

Natalie&Mark · November 2011

While I think Allison has a point, the idea of a baby factory also makes me cringe.

Duewith2nd · November 2011

That's so wrong!! You more then pay for that insurance. That's one thing that really pisses me off. You should be getting EXCELLENT treatment.

caityxsweetie · November 2011

adreajoy:

No problem! I would try making friends with a nurse/ assistant your first couple visits and asking them if it would be okay to call THEM with questions--- most of the time they can answer whatever you need and don't take as long to get in touch with as a doc.

I'm in Guam and making friends with the clinic people (even the ones who started out snotty) has really helped me ease through this pregnancy so far.

Good idea! Maybe it'll get better after this class! I tried to edit my last post to talk about Prime, but it didn't post! I was saying we do have Prime, but when I asked if I could be seen off base they said no. We don't mind paying more to be seen off base!

adreajoy · November 2011

Good idea! Maybe it'll get better after this class! I tried to edit my last post to talk about Prime, but it didn't post! I was saying we do have Prime, but when I asked if I could be seen off base they said no. We don't mind paying more to be seen off base!

Make sure you call The Tricare Regional Provider--- like I said, I think there might be a slightly higher copay, but if you're really unhappy with the clinic I'm pretty sure they will let you go somewhere else, I know here I could go to a different doctor downtown, but I chose to stick with the clinic since there are no NICU's on Island and it would be easier to be airlifted out going through military

caityxsweetie · November 2011

Duewith2nd:
That's so wrong!! You more then pay for that insurance. That's one thing that really pisses me off. You should be getting EXCELLENT treatment.

Yeah, it is what it is though. All I can do is mumble to myself and submit a "complaint card" they have on their counter, lol.

caityxsweetie · November 2011

adreajoy:

Good idea! Maybe it'll get better after this class! I tried to edit my last post to talk about Prime, but it didn't post! I was saying we do have Prime, but when I asked if I could be seen off base they said no. We don't mind paying more to be seen off base!

Make sure you call The Tricare Regional Provider--- like I said, I think there might be a slightly higher copay, but if you're really unhappy with the clinic I'm pretty sure they will let you go somewhere else, I know here I could go to a different doctor downtown, but I chose to stick with the clinic since there are no NICU's on Island and it would be easier to be airlifted out going through military

Hm! I'll have to call when hubby gets back from the ship in a couple weeks. I always get confused with all the "military talk" when I call them, lol. He's better at it then me!

CMSullivan326 · November 2011

I am so sorry you were treated like that. You def. don't deserve the attitude. While I haven't had to deal with the on base clinics personally, I have had MANY friends and some family members in the military that have had bad experiences while pregnant and dealing with an On Base Clinic. One of my friends had a HORRIBLE experience at an OBC during her first pregnancy. They were stationed at another base in another state during her second pregnancy and he had nothing negative to say about the OBC there...I guess it just depends...

And as far as you getting the "free insurance so don't complain"....I don't care if your insurance is "free" (which your's isn't...you and your husband have sacrificed PLENTY for the "free" insurance) or if you have to pay thousands for it, regardless, you deserve to be treated with respect! This is YOUR pregnancy, YOUR body and YOUR baby ...I'm glad PP was able to give you more info on what the class is for considering the wench didn't even wanna help...

GL with everything and if the broad throws and attitude, snap off on her...your pregnant, blame the hormones ;-)

ufsandra85 · November 2011

If you dont like going to the mtf switch to standard and go to a civilian. There are zero out of pocket expenses for pregnancy, it is all covered under global maternity coverage. You may have to pay 16 dollars a day for your hospital stay and that is it. Also my husband has been in 16 years and we have never once paid a premium for our insurance and there are zero co pays on prime so if you chose prime it pretty much is free. Much better than any civilian health insurance available.

ufsandra85 · November 2011

I've had bad experiences with mtf doctors but I've also had them with civilian doctors. The most important thing is to feel comfortable. If I had to be seen art an mtf for my pregnancies I would switch to standard in a heartbeat. Since we have a small baby health clinic I get to go to yale so I'm sticking to prime but the second we pcs somewhere I have to be seen on base you better bet im switching

ufsandra85 · November 2011

Wow auto correct really did a number on my posts. Gotta love typing from your phone

caityxsweetie · November 2011

ufsandra85:
If you dont like going to the mtf switch to standard and go to a civilian. There are zero out of pocket expenses for pregnancy, it is all covered under global maternity coverage. You may have to pay 16 dollars a day for your hospital stay and that is it. Also my husband has been in 16 years and we have never once paid a premium for our insurance and there are zero co pays on prime so if you chose prime it pretty much is free. Much better than any civilian health insurance available.

I've heard this about standard! I asked my husband if we could switch and he said "I think because Im active I have to stay on prime." He didn't really look into it though. Maybe we should! I've heard great things about being on standard.

ufsandra85 · November 2011

You can switch to standard at anytime but if your husband is above e5 I think you have to wait a year to switch back. When you got married you were automatically enrolled in standard and had to have filed out paper work to go to prime. And I take it back we do pay a premium. It is only 20ish bucks a month though for an entire family so it is practically nothing- my friend just checked her husbands les

marielovestimothy03 · November 2011

I started out my pregnancy on prime but they didn't make me do any classes. I went in, peed in a cup - got the call the next day they confirmed the pregnancy. Went back did my labs, scheduled my first appointment. Went back for my appointment, got an u/s and that was that. Easy peasy! No group appointments, no classes. Maybe it varies from base to base?

My DH is off active duty orders now (he's in the reserves but spent most of this year on orders for training) so we're back on Reserve Select (which I believe is similar to Standard) and I'm being seen off base at a civilian clinic and it's great. I haven't paid a dime OOP for anything yet.

thatoneredhead · November 2011

I was born at Fort Lewis army base... where they game my so many meds it stopped my heart and I came out blue.

When I was 2, I had a rash that for some reason the base doctor thought was related to sexual abuse. My mom told him I hadnt out of her sight since the moment I came out wanted to speak to my dad (who was out in the field). When my mom told him he was being ridiculous and she was taking me somewhere else, he told her he would be contacting the mps.

Good luck with the base doctors

Lissa832 · November 2011

I've got bad news for you, but this is standard on base. It is paperwork, blood work, and general and nutritional information. It is unlikely to last four hours. I had to do it with both my kids. If you don't like it, switch to standard.

Sean+Lyss · November 2011

allisonmarie22:
If you don't like the absolutely free medical insurance you are getting through the Navy you could always go out and purchase your own policy OR get health insurance through your job (assuming you're a civilian).
I pay over $400 a month for my basic medical care. If I had free healthcare I certainly wouldn't be complaining, but that's just me.

ITA. Plus OP, this class is not new. I had to take it when I got preg both times. Its more than just blood work. They tell you what is happening and what you can expect through out the pregnancy, and sign you up for your tour of L&D.

Eliesc2 · November 2011

I just went to that 4 hour class a couple days ago. I was absolutely dreading it seeing as how they didn't even tell me that is what it was, I found out from someone's wife. You fill out all your paperwork, medical history and what not, then they go over a bunch of stuff. It was actually really informative, but I wasn't 100% comfortable being in there with random strangers discussing stuff.

Then you go down the hall, get blood taken in a room with 10 other people ( at least I had to, you may be different), and then go sit and wait in the pharmacy for an hour. It sucked. Also, at the base I am on, they pre-schedule all your appointments and assign you to a doctor. I hate that. That was what irritated me the most. They said we could re schedule if our next assigned appointment doesn't work for us, but "it could be anywhere up to 3 weeks longer due to how busy they are"

Hopefully your base is not like that. And to whoever said to go get your own insurance. I would absolutely love to. It's pretty hard finding a decent job that offers insurance when you move every year and half.

khagan9368 · November 2011

Because I'm that kind of person I'll try and point out the bright lining... At least it gives you a chance to meet other moms near you, think potential play dates in the future. I've joined a bunch of cheesy mom groups for just that reason. Sorry about the baby factory though

rachobacho · November 2011

I have Prime and don't have any complaints, but I'm also not picky about my doctors and I have heard that some MTFs aren't too good with the bedside manner thing. Switch to Standard and you no longer have to deal with MTFs unless you want to.

My insurance pre-military was Canadian too... although free, kind of a terrible system so I'm of the mindset that anything is better than that.

Call your regional provider and talk to them about your issues. They should be able to either help you switch your plan or give you some other ideas.

ALSO generally with Tricare, you shouldnt even have an OB until 12 weeks unless you're high risk. Government doesn't like paying for stuff when theres still a miscarriage risk apparently. Chin up! Not all MTFs are like that and once you get your OB you'll be fine. Just do research on the Tricare website and pick one prior to putting in your referral. Otherwise you'll just get assigned one.

caityxsweetie · November 2011

Thanks ladies! You all gave me some great and helpful info!! I'm going to talk to my husband about standard when he gets back from the ship! And I'll try to stay positive about the class! Maybe it won't be that bad! Still weird though, lol.

wither16 · November 2011

caityxsweetie:

But the more I think about it the more frustrated I get.

With my military insurance since I live .05 miles from base I'm restricted from going to the doctor anywhere else and have to go to the on base medical clinic. When I went in to confirm my pregnancy they obviously said yes your pregnant. I was then thinking I get to set up on appointment to see an OB.....not. They said "you have to take a 4 hour class before you are assigned to an OB. You're set up to take the class on December 6th at 7:00am." I got really frustrated at that point. Partly because I was already irritated with the lack of kindness and bedside manner these people that work at on base clinics have, and partly because I wasn't getting an explination as to what this class was even for and why I was having to take it at 9 weeks from the rude attitude lady that set up my appointment. So I asked her "what is the class?" and she said with her bad attitude "it's a class with other pregnant women where you fill out all your paperwork and do blood work and stuff like that." And stuff like that? What and stuff like that? And why does this take FOUR HOURS?! Uhm, maybe I'm just a personal bubble person but this seems really weird to me and impersonal and also inconvenient to me. You're saying I have to sit in a room for 4 hours because I have to wait for all these other women to fill out paperwork and get their blood taken to? What the...seriously? This still seems SO dumb to me, and I'm still mad I have to do it. I'm probably just being a big brat, but I don't care. I hate on base clinics. >:|

I had to share that I had the EXACT same problem. And if you call Tricare, guess what? They CANNOT force you to do this class before giving you a referral. It's not Tricare's policy. (FWIW- I got my ref and did not attend)

I was very adament about not doing it, because as an IVF patient, I had already taken a million days off work, and then they refused to accept my HCG blood tests or U/S as proof of pregnancy. I had to go pee in a cup. With a very RUDE man.

Again, I called Tricare, they stated the bloodwork would have sufficed.

I personally told them that I could not take off another day of work just because the wing commander felt like making this "class" mandotory and that Tricare did not require it.

At this point, I am looking at dropping to Standard so that I don't ever have to deal with that stupid MTF again.

I should also mention that I was definitely NOT friendly after a LONG run around with the clinic....and my poor H's first shirt got an email about me. Embarrassed

You are NOT being a brat. Our healthcare is not good quality. We have NO option in choosing our providers. And if they are rude and disrespectful to us, they don't answer to anyone. There is ZERO accountability in the military healthcare system.

Anyone who says otherwise clearly has never gone to an MTF and been treated like crap.

ufsandra85 · November 2011

I have to disagree with this. I have been treated VERY badly. to the point that i was hysterically crying. My husband even went in to complain and he is no that type of person. The commander of the MTF personally apologized to us and went above and beyond to rectify the situation. I know a couple of people who are in the military and healthcare admin and they do work hard to have good customer service. You just have to contact the right people

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