FedEx Retiree Health Care
 

Need some information on the FedEx Retiree High Deductible Plan and how it coordinates with Tricare Standard. My wife is under 65 and is currently on the Buy Up Plan. We are very satisfied with the coverage but the cost has gone up to over $6K per year. The High Deductible cost is just under $1.6K per year. Even with the $500 deductible and the higher copays it looks like this may be the way to go with Tricare Standard picking up the excess. My concerns are with the Tricare Allowable Cost being less than the Blue Cross allowable. If the provider takes Tricare as a supplement do they settle for the lower Tricare cost? Anybody have any experiences with this option? How big a deal is it to keep up with the paperwork? How about Pharmacy benefits; any surprises there? I know the open enrollment isn't until next November, but I am trying to get this figured out in advance. Thanks for any information.

I don't retire for a few more years (I don't "think"). I'd be interested in hearing the details myself.

If you have experience with this, please speak up ...

I would start here. Every base that you are near has a Tricare Advocate to help answer all your questions. Most find that TC Std is more than adequate with most other retiree care. You can try here to begin with: http://www.tricare.mil/bcacdcao/

I would call the base near you and personally talk to the Tricare advocate. They know all the answers and have a vested interest to help you get all that you are authorized and have earned.

JV

I would act quick. Rumor is all the Conus base tricare offices are closing down in April. Apparently there will only be a 1-800 number for questions.

I use just Tricare (no fdx blue cross) Rationale: BCBS w FDX is $200+ per month (=2400+ per annum + copay & deductible) Tricare has no monthly fees and a $3k catastrophic cap with $300 deductible, and 25% copay.

One would have to almost meet the annual catastrophic tricare cap (3k) to break even with the monthly BCBS monthly fees (2.4+k annual). The co-pays, can be variable dependent on usage, but if you have BCBS primary & Tricare 2ndary, tricare should pay for the co-pay, After you paid the BCBS deductible.

For me, lots of local providers accept tricare (understand tricare reimbursement rates are = medicare reimbursment rates). If you locale does not have significant providers that accept tricare (or medicare rates you situation may be different).

My out of pocket costs are zero until I incur the $300 deductible, and then 25%. No monthly payments. After I have paid 3k in deductible and co-pay, I have no out of pocket costs w tricare.

BCBS you will pay $2400+ in monthly fees even if you never go to the doc, then deductible + co-pays.

Echo calling the tricare reps they are usually very good. I persaonlly have had no complaints with this "single payer- governement health care system". Your mileage may vary...

Flyinhigh,

I'm not sure if this helps, but from what we experienced when my wife had Tricare as a secondary insurer, was that she almost never generated any out of pocket expenses for visits to doctors or the hospital, above and beyond the normal annual deductibles. What that means is, our service providers always accept whatever Tricare pays, and we have never been asked to pay any additional monies.

As for paperwork, it's just the norm. We usually receive EOB's (explanation of benefits) showing a zero balance due, and if my wife doesn't catch me, I usually throw them out. On the rare occurrence when there is a payment due, it's usually that the doctor's office forgot to put Tricare as a secondary insurer. They then have to resubmit, and once more harmony reigns supreme.

Once your wife turns 65, she'll automatically be enrolled in Tricare For Life, which is a really great thing, as everything for the most part stays the same.

Nitpicking but if Tricare is secondary I think you mean your providers always accept what the primary pays. Tricare is simply picking up the deductible.

Does anyone know how VEBA plays into this. I'm still not certain how this benefit works. Not trying to derail thread - hopefully it applies.

The most important takeaway from this thread is continuing to work equals certain death, probably in a hotel bed miserable and tired far from family. Retirement equals a life of rainbows, morning and evening sex with the wife, girlfriend, or both, and years more of (generally) carefree living.

(Message provided by friends of First Officers)

VEBA is the ALPA run fund that pays up to $112 per month for you and $112 per month for your spouse to help with the cost of a Medicare Supplement. It was initially funded with a one time payment by FedEx and is further funded by the 50 cents per hour deduction from your paycheck.