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Tricare for Life Users Surprised by Drug Cost Increase


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Chalkie,

<sigh>

Chalkie why don't you tell me your reasons for not having a disability rating or not pursuing one if you have service connected issues? I do not use the VA at all. I did get the ratings on retirement, and had used them when traveling because they are a slightly better bet than the local doctors I never used or knew as we traveled most of this country's west, Alberta and BC Canada, and Alaska.

Perhaps for you, like me today, it is just a small tax break. Having a rating also gives you priority if deficit is considered service connected. Some aren't. I used Tricare Standard and in November and December 2016 maxed out my 2017 cat. cap when I had back surgeries and cataract surgery on both eyes. Old fiscal year was October to October. I used civilian providers and was not reimbursed for any of the travel and suite costs. I knew that up front and it was worth it to me. I paid extra for the premium lenses not covered by Tricare and boy was that worth it.

I use my civilian docs and specialists without being locked into any system or asking permission. (Save the back surgeries. Medicare does not cover that minimally invasive procedures then, but Tricare did. So I save all my pharmacy co pays for the drugs I could not get at the base were paid for until October of 2017.

So the costs were a shock to me for my first copay, that happened to be on a non-formulary drug with no generic, from a civilian pharmacy. It is over now so all my pharmaceuticals will be from the base from now on.

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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Dennis, I just saw your Dx. I am so sorry you have to go through the cancer issues. Please keep me posted, in email if you want.

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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8 hours ago, Chalkie said:

Not to put too fine a point on this, and I was disappointed too, but those promises were never codified by law so no matter what some recruiter might have said, they are empty promises. Read this article.

Chalkie I know that too. Of course we all found out from my generation on retirement. They were closing many of the base hospitals and turning many into clinics, when I retired in 1998. 

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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Great Dennis! I'm glad you've got it covered and have your experienced brother nearby. I just tried to message you but you had it turned off. Mine is on as is my RV at rvroadie com domain email. Let me know if there is anything you need. Give me a holler so I can holler back.

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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RV

Thanks.  I really am not to concerned.  I know that if HE walks with me on the mountain tops HE will walk with me in the valley's.  But it was a shock Saturday morning when I got up and went to the bathroom for the first time and it looked like somebody poured cranberry juice in the toilet.  That will get your attention quick. 

For all those vet's who have gotten lousy service at the VA I am sorry but I got to say the VA hospital in Fayetteville has treated me like GOLD.  I secure messaged my team on Monday to let them know the problem.  Had lab test setup and an appointment with my PC Doc on Tuesday.  Walked up to the lab check-in desk and said my bladder is full of blood and I need to piss now.  He took my card checked me in printed out the lab labels, put one on the sample jar and took me back to a restroom in the lab area.  He said put the sample here and come back out to the waiting area and they will call you for the blood.  By the time I gave the sample (looked like cranberry juice) and opened the door they lab tech said MR W will you take a seat so I can draw your blood.  Went down to my team area checked in.  The Doc was running about 7 min late (not a long wait)  Talked to the Doc.  He said you got time and I said sure he called Radiology and said he needed to get an ultrasound on someone and could they get me in and he walked me down to Radiology and turned me over to them.  I waited 10 min they took me back did the ultrasound and I was out of there.  At 07:10 the next morning the Doc calls me and says can you come down for a CAT scan.  I got there around 09:30 walked up to the counter to check-in and the lady said oh ok Mr W. have a seat.  I walked over to the Kiosk to process my travel pay and by the time I was done with that one action the lab tech was calling my name.  40 min in and out done.  19:10 last night Doc calls my ceil phone from home while he was grilling a steak and says ok this is what we got and this is what we are going to do.  I said can I have the same Doc that did my brother and friend he says sure what's the name.  I don't know he says call me in the morning with the name before I put the consult in gives me his private ceil phone number with instructions to call him by 08:00 this morning.  In my book that is pretty dam good service for an old retired E8.

Dennis

USA Master Sergeant Ret.

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Awesome Dennis! Let him know we all said Huah! To him and thanks for taking good care of my buddy! Sounds like you have the dream team of the VA!

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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Update

Had lab on Tuesday the 27th of Feb at 1300. Cat scan on Wednesday the 28th 09:30.  Will have surgery Tuesday March 6th.  Go in at 1300.  So within a week from finding it to having it removed.  I call that good service  Thanks for all the prayers.

Dennis

USA Master Sergeant Ret.

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Yay Dennis. Prognosis?

 

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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Last Update

Well I had the surgery yesterday.  Was scheduled for 16:00 got the call at 0800 could I come in early.  Arrived at 12:30 and was rolled into Surgery at 14:00.  On the table 20-25 min. Out the door and back into the car by 16:25.  I was able to void my bladder from the very beginning so no extra waiting around time.  What the Doc found was a stock.  It was not attached to the bladder per say.  It was on the top of a stock so it was not into or growing on the bladder wall.  So he cut the stock off at the base and that was it.  He does not anticipate any follow up treatment (BCG IMMUNOTHERPY) but will do a follow up in 30 days to look inside the bladder to make sure all is good. So from the first confirmation of the issue with a ultrasound at around 15:00 at the VA on the 27th of Feb until it was removed from my body at around 14:30 on the 6th of March was less than 8 days.  The Doc at Mercy said he thought I must be some type of muck-d-muck because he never sees movement this fast from the VA.  I said that I was just a retired Army Mater Sargent but I did have a Friend in a High Place.  HE>I  Thanks for all the prayers

Dennis 

USA Master Sergeant Ret.

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Hey! Fantastic news! But what is a stock? Whatever it is is immaterial. So glad you got done fast and right by the VA. Dodged that bullet.

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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Stalk? Like a stalk of celery?? Gotcha, it was growing on top not under. How great is that?

 

Like a mushroom; did you mean kept in the dark and covered with manure?;):D

I'm just smiling and happy to joke with you about a terrific save.

I'll take all the good news from friends and family I can get. We all get enough bad news lately:

gas_prices.jpg

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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Glad to hear you got it taken care of!

2002 Fifth Avenue RV (RIP) 2015 Ram 3500 Mega-cab DRW(38k miles), 6.7L Cummins Diesel, A668RFE, 3.73, 14,000 GVWR, 5,630 Payload, 27,300 GCWR, 18,460 Max Trailer Weight Rating(For Sale) , living in the frigid north, ND.

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Ronbo

Just make sure when you get a new prescription or reauthorizes and old one that is going to be filled through Express Script that the Doc writes it for 90 day supply and not monthly supply or you will be billed $7.00 for each refill (7x12) vs 7x4.  Otherwise than that it is a walk in the park.

Dennis

USA Master Sergeant Ret.

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Outstanding Dennis! WooHoo! I am soooooo happy for you bud!

Beer's on me when we meet!

RV/Derek
http://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.
Retired AF 1971-1998


When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius

 

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire

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  • 3 months later...

I'm retired military and receive 100% for service connected disabilities from the VA. VA disability is tax free and doesn't affect your income for tax purposes. I'm on Medicare and Tricare for Life. You must be retired military and have Medicare A&B to be on it. If you only have a VA rating and not retired military, you are not eligible for Tricare for life. You can be seen at the VA only. They have their own program called Champva. My wife worked in administration in a military hospital for over 32 years. As far as military retirement. I receive X amount of dollars from the VA and my military retirement. I can be seen in a military hospital and at the VA. I'm dual eligible but I see a civilian provider under Medicare, which is my primary insurance, and Tricare for life acts as my supplement. 

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  • 1 month later...

Couple of years back the Veteran's Health Care system sent out a letter telling us that the price for generic drugs was being lowered from $7 to $5..

but at the same time they stopped VA doctors from writing "Paper" prescriptions to be used at civilian pharmacies.

Many veterans like myself used paper scrips at places like Walmart or Costco because they could get a 90 day refill for only $10 instead of paying the VA $28..

Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

John

1995 Prowler 30.5 w/one slide

1993 F-350

2007 KIA Spectra

 

Carson City, Nevada

 

TWO CENTS WORTH

The story goes that a man died and was approached by the Devil who told him that he could buy his soul back for a dollar. The man searched his pockets and could only come up with 98 cent. While begging the Devil to forget the two cent he was short, an Angel happened by and hearing the Devil laughing, asked the man, "Would you mind if I put in my two cents ?" The Devil got so mad that he exploded in a puff of smoke and the man's soul was saved.

 

The moral: Sometimes putting in your two cents worth makes a difference.

JOHN "the cook" 1987 ©

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jharrelson, they can still write scripts for outside but some will resist. They can also call in the scripts. I am not service connected and have a co insurance that requires  ongoing meds to be orderered through their mail in or now that it is CVS Caremark I can get them at a pharmacy but must be written for 90 days supply for them to cover it.  Mine is done with refills that covers all but  5 days. (90 days times four equals 360 days)  If I got my ongoing meds through VA it would cost me more.

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