Re: Turning 65 in 2012. Need advice on medical.

I doubt the doctors in the advantage plan I joined will be in the tricare book.

I called the TFL 1-800 number and asked how the system would work.
They said most advantage plans will submit your claim for the co-pay to TFL for payment, but if they don't, there is a form I can submit with the doctors paperwork and they will reimburse me.

I start using advantage/tfl in May. I'll let you know what I find out then.

Dennis

been on medicare and TFL for a couple of years now. You do not need a referral for a specialist since medicare will be your primary. My wife is still on TRIICARE Prime. She will switch to TFL next year. She had to spend several days in the hospital last fall. The hospital bill was over $30,000. Did not have to pay a dime. ( did my time in the SSBN Navy....saturdays, sundays and a bunch of nights LOL )

PS..keep on top of the news, sign up at congress.org to get updates to see how your state reps are voting on issues concerning us military retirees. They keep trying to cut the benefits we all did our time to earn.

An update on my advantage Medicare replacement plan.
As stated in an earlier post, my wife and I have about %5/month deducted from my SS check for medical coverage.
I pay nothing to the advantage plan.
I had my gall bladder out in February, it cost me nothing.
I am having a small problem with one of my meds, there is a $40 copay for 90 day supply, and I haven't been able to get TFL to reimburse yet.

I've had 4 major surgeries since signing up for TFL and my total out of pocket expenses is "Zero". Three years ago I underwent surgery for cancer and included radiation and Chemo. My medical bills for that alone has passed the half million dollar mark. I have yet to pay anything. What Medicare does not pay TFL picks it up. I get my medication thru Express Scripts and again pay zero. So you can see I'm a big fan of TFL. Now if only the folks in Washington keep there hands off. The only medication expenses we have is my wife's breathing medicine. Depending on what she takes it can cost anywhere between 10 to 20 dollars. But that's the only cost.

Farrout the med you have the $40. copay on is probably not on the Formulary and this is the amount you will have to pay. I have an inhaler not on the Formulary and I get charged $40 but fortunately only need it occasionaly. There is a form you can take to your MD that prescribed the medicine I think and he can submit it to TriCare and then they should pay the $40.00. This is the way it was last year when I looked it up on the formulary website so who knows if that still applies but just thought I would mention it.