Randy, everything is good....Use Tricare Express Scripts for your meds.
Haven't paid a cent out of my pocket for anything in over two years except for the $105 for Medicare.
Thanks, guys. Sounds like I interpreted the conversation with the medicare agent properly. I already use Express Scripts, great program! Seems funny, I've been covered by our military healthcare since I was 18 and I get a medicare card in the mail today...I knew it was coming but seeing it was strange.
Change of subject but related...my 90 year old mother passed away last month in Ohio. Her medicare covered the hospice care at home for her final days and they were truly angels on earth. If you know anybody who works within the hospice field I hope you're aware how special they are.
Randy I am sure you were told this but you will need to get a new Retired Military ID. The back has to be annotated with "YES" under Medical and the EFF date is changed to reflect the date eligible for Medicare, make sure your spouse's dependent ID will also have these changes when she is 65. Dependent on the whether your drugs are Generic and the Tier even mail order Express Scripts/Tricare Pharmacy will cost you few bucks.
Welcome to OLD AGE! The $105.00 per month MAY not your cost. From what I read ALL NEW Medicare recipient's after 15 October will have their monthly premium increased to $159.00 a month subtracted from your Social Security. Check it out. I believe that figure is correct.
Chuck
Im really glad I found this thread...does anyone know what the "exp date" on the second line of the back of the ID card means? the front of my retired ID card has an "expiration date" of INDEF but the back has a date (it just happens to be this month/year which I hadn't noticed before)...im thinking this cant be good but cant find anything on line that explains what the heck it is...thanks
Jack, how are you? So is what I have on mine Top Left first date block DOB-;
2nd Block 2nd line Date of issue, EFF Date: When you became or are eligible for Medicare and Tricare for life. EXP DATE: INDEF.
Hope this helps I would advise you to make sure you take a good look at your Spouses ID as well, Linda's almost slipped through the cracks.
All of what I read in replys to your post seems to be 100% correct. Just one other thing: ALWAYS be sure any time you use Part A or Part B at any treatment facility, that you make sure to let them know that MEDICARE is the primary payer, and TRICARE FOR LIFE is secondary payer. Some brand name scripts are now up around $46 at local pharmacies - but generics thru Express Scripts are mostly at no cost. Also, as noted previously, if you can use a MTF pharmacy, there is no cost for any scripts.
Thanks, Chuck and Dee. I think I know enough now to at least be familiar with the process. I guess its about time to get a new ID card, the pic on mine must be 20 years old :)
Is there a yearly fee for Tricare for Life in addition to part B fee ? I have to do something next year. Also I get free care from VA do I have to use part B and tricare for life ?
There is no annual fee for TFL (only the part B Medicare premiums that are deducted from your Social Security). You MUST sign up for Part B Medicare in order to be enrolled in TFL.
Regarding VA care - nothing to do with Medicare or TFL (totally separate). If you get free VA care you can choose to use that, but you can also use any other medical provider, in which case Medicare would be the PRIMARY (first) payer at 80% - TFL would be SECONDARY (second) payer at the remaining 20%.
Thanks for info, sounds like medicare and TFL is the way to go, even though VA is free have to wait 2-3 weeks for appointment, at least for now. will see how it goes, thanks again
Some of the best things about Medicare/TFL is:
1) You get to choose a Primary Care Physician
2) In "nearly all" instances, you can see a specialist without a referral from your PCP
3) You can almost always get a second opinion for more significant concerns
