Any Military Spouse Cysters?

frenchie0909 · 02-03-2007, 11:28 AM

Hi I am just looking for some other military spouses to relate with. We are stationed at Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia. And if anyone else can relate with the frustrations of Tricare and Army clinics/hospitals.

Margehr · 02-03-2007, 07:10 PM

My husband is in the military, and we also have Tricare. My husband is an AGR - so he's full-time, active duty Air National Guard. The base here is pretty small and does not have a clinic. We're quite far from any military treatment facilities, and even though we live in a city with hundreds of doctors, very few are Tricare network providers. It seems like every little thing is a struggle with Tricare.

I know it's a little different for you if you go to a military clinic - but still, I feel your pain in having to deal with Tricare.

Love2Stitch · 02-03-2007, 07:21 PM

Ugh, Tricare! We're on Oahu, Hawaii, and have lots and lots of clinics here to choose from with like 15 various bases around the island. Even so, when I manged to get pregnant this second time around, I opted to get out of Tricare Prime and go Tricare Standard so I could choose my own doctor out in town.

At the max this can cost $1000. per year (I think it's cheaper for enlisted, but not sure). I've been seeing my doctor for my pregnancy and just had my 6 week post partum...I think so far I've only paid a total of $150. And I can still get prescriptions for free by taking them to the base pharmacy.

The only hang up is that once you opt to go Standard, you can't get back into Prime for a year. My year is up as of May 1, and I'd intended to get back to prime after having the baby. But at this point, i'm seriously considering sticking with Standard. It's nice to be able to see the doctor of your choosing, without playing the lotto to see if your primary care is available, etc. And I also really appreciate being able to schedule appointments with doctors of different specialties without having to beg and plead a primary care provider to write a referral.

Of course, the downside is that I'd had recommendations from friends for the OB/Gyn I've been seeing...but now I'm due for a skincancer reassesment and will have to take my chances with the phone book.

Best of luck.