Tri Care FOr Life.

Here is an easy to read info flyer that also has all the necessary web page addresses.

www.tricare.mil/tricaresmartfiles/Prod_612/TFL_Flyer_08_L.pdf

FastEagle

monkey
I got my card about three months before I needed it. You may have tossed it, thinking it was junkmail.
If you were using tricare prime and paying by allotment, they (finance) will automatically stop your alloltment to tricare.
The transition is very easy, however you do need to register with medicare either via snail mail by response to their mailing or their web site. I called them because I thought the stuff they sent was just more junk mail.
Frank

I got a form to sign and sent it back - but it never asked me about TFL ...

SO, I should expect an ID card ...otherwise will stop at the SS office and ask someone that probably knows nothing much about anything -- that's generally been my experience with SS workers.

monkey44 wrote:

I got a form to sign and sent it back - but it never asked me about TFL ...

SO, I should expect an ID card ...otherwise will stop at the SS office and ask someone that probably knows nothing much about anything -- that's generally been my experience with SS workers.

Monkey, you must have a card from SS showing you are on Medicare. You will need to provide that to any doctor or medical facility you choose to use. For Tri-Care, be it either Standard, Prime or TFL, you military ID card is all you need. On the back it shows what Tri-Care coverage you have. My ID card shows no expiration date, it was issued to "indefinite". On the back my Tri-Care Standard coverage is only good until the month and year I turn 65, which is November 2011. At that point I will need to go back to the military ID center, with my Medicare card in hand, and get a new military ID card issued showing TFL.

We just went through this in June with my wife when she turned 65. Her dependent ID, which is normally issued for four years at a time, had only been issued to June of 2009, the month and year she turned 65.

Hope this helps.

One more Q -- I keep getting solicitations from medical HMO's that want me to 'join them for Medicare" - but I don't need to pick one, do I ... don't need an HMO, at least I don't think I do unless Medicare requires it - I'd rather just pick a clinic if I have problems when traveling.

I'd just want regular Medicare and then TFL as the back-up ... I don't want to join anyone ... plus, I have the Vets clinic as a part of my healthcare too ... my main HC is with the VA, and I'm happy with my doc, although if she left, I'd probably change to my civilian doc that does Tricare standard for my family.

We don't need to join any group. Just fill out the Medicare info that they want and if you are already using TriCare Prime the move is automatic. Since you were using VA you may want to call Tricare to see how the transition to TCFL goes.
Mine was seamless. I did the Medicare info over the web and the shift to TCFL was automatic (I had been using Prime).
Frank