[tovaxin_lab_rat]

Some of you may remember my rant about Medco Mail order and the problems I had with them at the end of the year getting my Provigil refilled...well...

We cancelled United Health Care as of 12/31/07 and now only have TriCare/TriWest as our health insurance. It's what, Jan 24, 2008, and I am in love with them...I cannot believe the difference in attitude, care, and concern that the Patient Care Advocates take and the time they spend with ME on the phone to solve a simple glitch in the system....what a breath of fresh air!!!

All my prescriptions -- 10 of them, have been transferred over to Express-Scripts Mail order. 3 were sent in on the same form, which was unfortunate. They were sent in with plenty of lead time, but the Provigil required pre-auth which held up the other 2 by a few days. I called them to have the rx's separated which they said they would do.

Well, it didn't get done. I am now into my "emergency" stash of Topamax and have called them twice to find out where the order is. I told them I would pay for next day shipping. That was on the 19th. Still no meds.

I called yesterday and the PCA said they were shipped. Checked today...no shipment.

I just got off the phone with another PCA and this guy was wonderful. He said, hmmm...there seems to be a problem that is ours, not yours. Let me put you on hold for a couple of minutes and check it out.

He came back and said that all my meds had been shipped out this morning, next day air, no expense to me, and I should have them tomorrow!! He apologized for the error and said that they should have been shipped on the 21st as I was told, and he doesn't know why.

Now for the good part - the Provigil pre-auth was approved for one year, I didn't have to talk to anyone, neither did my doc! She filled out the form, sent it in...bingo! Approved! No arguing, no appeal...nothing!! Geez, what a relief!!! I am amazed!!! Shocked...And the cost savings is incredible!!!

Good part number two -- when the request was sent in for an out of network approval for the ENT specialist, it was approved on the spot!

This is TriCare/TriWest...why didn't we change to them a long time ago. Why have we been paying $1300-$1500 a month for crappy ol' United Health Care and stressing with them and their expensive coverage and co-pay?????

I am so thrilled!!! Oh what a relief!!!

FG is happy! Sick, but happy!

[SandyC]

Oh happy day! I love love love Tricare too! Whoohoo!

This is the type of news I love to hear!

[Nevada Leftie]

My husband and I have Tri Care and I must agree, it is wonderful!
Now that I am over 65 Medicare becomes my primary and Tri Care my secondary. I have never paid anything.

[SandyC]

Jim doesn't pay premiums since he started Medicare and added part B. I am not sure about dependants but I'd check if I were you guys.

[tovaxin_lab_rat]

We don't pay premiums either. There are different programs -TriCare Standard is free for the member and the spouse. The only thing we pay for is dental and it's $60 a month and that's the same as it was for UHC...same coverage! But that $60 is for both of us...

Co-pay for our medications is $3 for generic and $9 for brand! Free if we go to the base pharmacy! That's for 3 months!!! Provigil was $55 for one month!!!

Like I said, I am just happy....

I know it's not the same for everyone, but since PODH's company went BK and has emerged, our health care program just sucks! So much for taking care of the employees that spent a lot of years keeping them afloat!! We lost a lot of $$ through the BK and then got stabbed with the healthcare program...but not management! They are the only winners cuz their contracts were BK proof!! Anyway...that's another story! I am just glad that we finally got smart and canx UHC!!!

Vote with your feet!!!

[Vegasgrl]

Express Scripts is wonderful, I worked with them quite a bit through my old employer.

[greta]

Originally Posted by Av8rgirl

This is TriCare/TriWest...why didn't we change to them a long time ago.

Well duh! I'm just glad you finally did! A little work to change it all over, but I've been really happy with ES for the last 5 years.

In other news, I got you a book on retiree's stuff (not just tricare) from the FFSC. I'll stick it in the mail one of these days. I took a useless class on moving overseas yesterday and snatched it from the FFSC office. A lot of the info in the class was out of date and the woman kept telling me I couldn't bring 3 dogs. Knucklehead...I emailed her the link to the pages which talk about the limits.

So glad it's all settled. Now what are you going to do with all this free time since you don't have to spend days on the phone with your Rx provider?!

[Chris]

Maybe this is a silly question, but what is "Tricare"? I've never seen in as one of the offerings when my husband or I have changed jobs. Is it a state by state thing?

[SandyC]

Chris, here is what the Tricare officially says about them.

TRICARE is the Department of Defense’s worldwide health care program for uniformed service members and their families. TRICARE has several health plan options to meet the needs of it’s beneficiary population.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by SandyC

Chris, here is what the Tricare officially says about them.

TRICARE is the Department of Defense’s worldwide health care program for uniformed service members and their families. TRICARE has several health plan options to meet the needs of it’s beneficiary population.

Well that explains that. We've neer defended anyone but our families, friends, and Dylan (our dog)! I had a hard enough time getting accustomed to managed care when I came to the states. I was quite satisfied with the medical care in the UK despite what many have to say about it.