stanbnv wrote:To qualify my statement, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, Medicare (part A and B ) pays at the Medicare rate, and then sends the bill to TRICARE for Life (TFL) who pays the copay. Part B costs about $94 right now, but goes up every year. If Medicare does not cover the treatment but Tricare does, TFL pays at the Tricare Standard rate and you are responsible for the Standard copay, and if Medicare covers the treatment, but Tricare does not, then you are responsible for the Medicare copay. Again, as I understand it, you are required to take Medicare Part B upon reaching 65, (not your full retirement age) or Tricare will drop you completely.
Yes, at age 65, when you become eligible for Medicare, TFL becomes a supplement to Medicare part B. If you were not TFL eligible then you would have to go out and buy a Medicare supplement plan on the open market. Yes, Medicare part B does coast $94.00 per months and will change each year. Not only can it go up but it can also go down, depending on the previous years payouts. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits on the 1st of the month in which you turn 65 the SSA will automatically put you on Medicare parts A&B unless you contact them to opt out of part B. At that point Medicare part B becomes the primary payer and TFL becomes the supplement. With TFL you do not need to sign up for Medicare part D (prescription drug program) since your drugs are covered by Tri-Care.
