Researching TRICARE versus my employer's insurance

[Deleted]

Hi *waves*,

I've never posted here, but my fiance is a drilling status ARNG member (14 years in next week) who is fairly new to the reserve life after many deployments. We are getting married in October. He's covered under Tricare Reserve Select and I am considering enrolling under his plan, along with my two daughters. I know that we have to enroll within 60 days and the dental will be purchased separately for us (must be done by the 20th to be eligible the next month). Are there any other extremely important things I need to know?

I'm used to a co-pay PPO system and I'm concerned that I won't know how to navigate this system. I know all our physicians are covered.


Any tips/tricks/need to know tidbits are appreciated.

[ohyouknow]

Yes, most reservists I know don't go with Tricare because it usually isn't cost effective for what it provides. My sisters are both NG and neither of them ended up going with Tricare.

[blondemoment123]

H is in the NG and for us Tricare Select Reserve is great. It's fairly inexpensive for what we get and it's just the 2 of us. Luckily neither of us have any major medical issues so our yearly visits, ER visits etc are covered.

I haven't had to use the dental yet, but am due for a visit so I'll be looking into that soon.

[calmcosmo]

I definitely agree with doing a comprehensive cost/benefit analysis. My husband is AD, so I'm not familiar with NG and Reserve Tricare, but I am familiar with balancing plans to utilize. I personally went with my own employers healthcare plan (just for myself, we didn't have children at the time and my husband has to use military insurance) because the coverage for infertility was amazing while Tricare's was very limited. Tricare was my secondary insurance by default, but I never used it. Now that we have built our family, I am no longer utilizing outside insurance and am happy with Tricare Standard.

Good luck with your choice! Congratulations on your marriage.